HIFF+NGN Summer Film Series - August 2009

The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is pleased to announce a special Summer Film Series on Demand in conjunction with Nippon Golden Network (NGN). From August 1 - 31, film lovers Statewide can enjoy a special selection of 10 English subtitled films from Japan in the "HIFF" Category on NGN on Demand Channel 680. These 10 films are a mix of past HIFF favorites, titles that were released outside of HIFF's annual Spring and Fall Showcases, and other titles selected by HIFF. Each of these films can be ordered from home, On Demand, using Oceanic Time Warner Cable's remote control for Digital Cable at a price of $4.99 per title.

Film Descriptions and Trailers

BARUTO NO GAKUEN (The Ode to Joy)

BARUTO NO GAKUEN Trailer

Based on a true story that occurred during WWI, German soldiers are captured and sent to the Bando POW camp in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture in Japan. Contrary to their expectations of bleak camp conditions, they are welcomed with music played by the live band comprised of the camp members. This was the beginning of their peaceful days at the Naruto camp, where the German soldiers were given freedom and were treated with respect and dignity as POWs. Baruto No Gakuen depicts the touching human relationships between the people within and around the camp. 

2006 | Fully subtitled in English | 134 minutes
Director: Masanobu Deme
Cast: Ken Matsudaira, Hiroshi Abe, Jun Kunimura

KITA NO ZERONEN (YEAR ONE IN THE NORTH)

KITA NO ZERONEN Trailer

In 2003 the film THE LAST SAMURAI captivated audiences worldwide with its depiction of the end of the Samurai era in Japan. Occurring around the same time period, YEAR ONE IN THE NORTH, portrays a different aspect of this era where old traditions were forced to give way to Westernized influences as Japan sought to modernize itself after years of isolation. It follows a once powerful Feudal clan whose members must come to terms with a new way of life and forge a new identity after being stripped of their Samurai status and forced to relocate to the unsettled wilderness of Japan’s Northernmost Island by the young Meiji Emperor. Centered around the wife of one of the Clan leaders who must find her own strength after the mysterious disappearance of her husband, YEAR ONE IN THE NORTH, is a captivating depiction of the changing times in Japan as well as the early settlement of the island now known as Hokkaido. Starring veteran actress Yoshinaga Sayuri and actor Watanabe Ken.

• Part of HIFF 25th Anniversary Program Honoring Toei Movie Studio
• Nominated 13 categories Japan Academy Awards 2006; Winner Best Actress Yoshinaga Sayuri

2004 | 169 minutes
Director: Isao Yukisada
Cast: Sayuri Yoshinaga, Ken Watanabe, Etsushi Toyokawa, Toshiro Yanagiba

HULA GIRLS

HULA GIRLS Trailer

In 1965, the largest mine in mainland Japan, the Joban coal mine, faces a crisis; massive layoffs are imminent and its once-thriving mainstay industry is barely hanging on by a thread. In a desperate move to revive the town, a plan is developed to create a “Hawaiian Paradise” in the cold, northern region. The featured attraction is to be a hula show, but in this isolated place far north of the equator and Hawaii, there are no palm trees or hula dancers. To train the young coal miners’ daughters in hula dancing, a dance instructor is brought in from Tokyo. Once a leading performer, she initially looks down on the coal miners and their amateurish daughters, but the girls’ sincere dedication gradually rekindles a passion in her. Each dealing with their own harsh lives, the local girls find a new lease on life as they absorb the essence of hula dancing. This movie is based on the true story of the people who created the Joban Hawaiian Center, now renamed the Spa Resort Hawaiians, and features an original soundtrack by Hawaii’s own Jake Shimabukuro.

• HIFF 2006 Closing Night Film
• Nominated 12 categories Japan Academy Awards 2007; Winner 5 categories including Best Film

2006 | Fully subtitled in English | 121 minutes
Director: Sang-il Lee
Cast: Yu Aoi, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Sumiko Fuji, Etsushi Toyokawa, Katsumi Takahashi

LINDA LINDA LINDA

LINDA LINDA LINDA Trailer

Only three days before their high school festival, guitarist Kei, drummer Kyoko (Aki Maeda of Battle Royale), and bassist Nozomi are forced to recruit a new lead vocalist for their band. They choose Korean exchange student Son (Doo-na Bae of Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance and The Host), even though her comprehension of Japanese is a bit rough. It’s a race against time as the group struggles to learn three tunes for the festival’s rock concert - including a classic 80s punk-pop song by the Japanese group The Blue Hearts called “Linda Linda.”

• HIFF 2006 Spring Showcase
• Winner Best Director, Japanese Professional Movie Awards 2005

2005 | 115 minutes
Director: Nobuhiro Yamashita
Cast: Doo-na Bae, Yu Kashii, Aki Maeda

MITO KOMON (LORD MITO: ALL STAR VERSION)

MITO KOMON Trailer

The classic television series enjoyed by many in Hawaii returns in this feature length movie with an All Star Cast of Japan’s legendary samurai actors. This version of Japan’s beloved “Lord Mito” features an all-star cast. In this story, Lord Mito unveils a malicious arsonist in Edo, with the help of his loyal assistants Suke and Kaku.

1960 | 95 minutes
Director: Sadatsugu Matsuda
Cast: Kinnosuke Nakamura, Hashizo Okawa, Ryunosuke Tsukigata, Utaemon Ichikawa 

PINCH RUNNER

PINCH RUNNER Trailer

Ayumi, the only member of the high school girls’ track team, trains tirelessly each day. Her work ethic and commitment to improving herself inspire five other classmates to join the team. Under the watchful eyes of their team mentor, Ikue, the girls train to compete in the regional long distance relay. Starring members of the popular J-Pop group, Morning Musume.

2000 | 107 minutes
Director: Hiroyuki Nasu
Cast: Morning Musume, Manabu Oshio

PING PONG

PING PONG Trailer

Based on Taiyo Matsumoto’s highly successful manga of the same name, PING PONG is a heartwarming and comical tale about friendship. Ever since the day Peco rescued Smile from a gang of bullies and introduced him to the game of table tennis, the pair have been inseparable friends. Though he is more talented than Peco, Smile is indifferent toward winning and thus defers to his highly ambitious friend who dreams of becoming the best player in the world. When an unexpected tournament loss by Peco opens the door for Smile to develop his own talent without holding back, he quickly rises to the top. However, when Peco decides to make a comeback, the two are destined to meet in one last match. Can their friendship survive the test of rivalry and ambition?

• Nominated 8 categories Japan Academy Awards 2003; Winner Newcomer of the Year

2002 | 115 minutes
Director: Fumihiko Sori
Cast: Yosuke Kubozuka, Shido Nakamura

POPPOYA (POPPOYA, RAILROAD MAN)

[POPPOYA Trailer

Sato Otomatsu has dedicated his life to working at the remote railroad station of Horomai in Hokkaido. With news of Horomai station shutting down heavy on his mind, Otomatsu re-visits his life through encounters with three mysterious girls at the station. POPPOYA is a poignant story that is guaranteed to touch everyone’s heart.

• Nominated 13 categories Japan Academy Awards 2000; Winner 9 categories including Best Film

1999 | 112 minutes
Director: Yasuo Kohata
Cast: Ken Takakura, Ryoko Hirosue, Shinobu Otake, Nenji Kobayashi

SUKEBAN DEKA (HIGH SCHOOL HEROINE) AKA YO YO GIRL COP

SUKEBAN DEKA Trailer

Saki, a delinquent school girl, is arrested by the government and then forced to fight crime to redeem herself.

• Winner Newcomer of the Year, Japan Academy Awards 1988

1987 | 153 minutes
Director: Hideo Tanaka
Cast: Yoko Minamino

YUKI NI NEGAU KOTO (WHAT THE SNOW BRINGS)

YUKI NI NEGAU KOTO Trailer

Set against the backdrop of Hokkaido and a unique style of draft-horse racing, a young man returns home to a family and lifestyle he abandoned in search of fame and fortune in Tokyo. Forced to take a job as a stable hand in his family’s farm, he reconnects to his roots through a relationship forged with an ageing horse and its young rider while trying to reconcile past differences with his family.

• Winner 4 categories Tokyo International Film Festival 2005 including Tokyo Grand Prix and Audience Award

2005 | 113 minutes
Director: Kichitaro Negishi
Cast: Yusuke Iseya, Koichi Sato, Kyoko Koizumi