5th OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL MOVIE FESTIVAL

On Tuesday 19^th February, we held a press conference for the program announcement of the 5^th Okinawa International Movie Festival at the head office of Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. With the concept of “Laugh & Peace”, the festival started from March 2009.

This year it was decided the festival would be held for 7 days, from 23^rd to 30^th March. Today various programs were announced as Takashi Fujii and Ayako Kisa presided.

In the competition as the main program of the movie festival, there will be the “Laugh & Peace categories”, “Pachinko Movie Award 2013” as last year, plus additionally two categories, the “Creator’s Factory” and “Nibichi Film Festival” both newly-established. World famous film director Joel Schumacher will be chairperson of the judges for the “Laugh & Peace categories”.

The producer Kazuyoshi Okuyama, who presented at the conference said in his address; “I am impressed that there is such a large-scale festival dedicated to being cheerful, positive and determined in Japan. I hope that many great masters and creators who make wonderful movies will be born from this festival as an incubation of their talents.”

Sayaka Yamamoto and Miyuki Watanabe of NMB48 from “Geinin! The Movie” in the Laugh category, Kozo Takeda from “The Death Match” of the Peace category and Heisei Nobushi Kobushi who will be emcee of the “Pachinko Movie Award 2013” appeared on stage. 

Yamamoto showed her eagerness about the movie in which she plays the leading part. “Originally this was a program broadcast on TV, so I was relaxed to show myself in this movie. Many people said that they became my fans because of the program, and this is my first starring role, so I’m proud of it. The film has scenes where you may cry, not only from laughing. I am eager to get the Golden Shisa award for this film!” she said.

Watanabe asked Fujii, “in the film there was a scene where I throw in some jokes that aren't in the script. But my jokes were not really good. What I should do?” An embarrassed Fujii replied; “there is no way anymore because it has been edited,” to which Watanabe added, “even though the jokes were not great, the audience can enjoy the film because she is pretty!”

Takeda looked back at the time of shooting. “This is an action film. Everybody talks in English during the whole movie and all most of all staff were from abroad.”

“I’m come from a combative sports field, so I couldn’t avoid accepting hits to my body. So the action in the movie is real!”

Fujii suggested gladly “why don’t you show us your dynamic act with Heisei Nobushi Kobushi?” after which Yoshimura of the group accepted to receive the full power of Takeda’s kick.

Takeda started to take off his shoes reluctantly “I don’t really want to do so… these are pointed shoes!” he said. A nervous Yoshimura screamed, “did I come for this job?” as Takeda hesitated and asked Yoshimura’s comedy partner Tokui “how hard should I kick?”

“Mr. Takeda, absolutely 100%! 100%!” said an excited Tokui “I think 30% is enough….” . replied Fujii modestly.

Even with Fujii’s advice, Takeda exclaimed “pray for the success of the movie!” and eventually gave Yoshimura a strong kick. Yoshimura fainted in agony with his hands on his hips.

Community Based Projects include “Community-Based Movies” and the “Jimot CM Competition” again this year. Both projects increased the numbers of joint productions with Okinawa as the host place of the festival.

-The press conference no.2

-The press conference no.3

Movie Festival Information

5^th Okinawa International Movie Festival

Dates: Saturday 23^rd  to Sunday 30^th March 2013

Location: Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan / Sakarazuka Theater, Naha / Chatan Town