5th OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL MOVIE FESTIVAL

Once again this year many unique shows will compete for audiences at OIMF. The  “Chura-ii GIRLS UP! Stage” will be coming back with popular models such as Kozue Akimoto and Mary Sara. They will have a Spring / Summer fashion show. There will also be live comedy shows at the beach stage. There will also be musical performances and a stage where Okinawa residents can participate.  

The last group who came up on stage was the fashion model Kozue Akimoto, Punk BooBoo and Shizuru. Fujii ignored the two noisy comedy groups and asked Akimoto questions. Fujii queried, “Ms. Akimoto appeared at last year’s fashion show, what’s your impression of Okinawa?” Kozue responded, “I love Okinawa cuisine, so I’d love to go out to eat. I love bitter melon.” A surprised Fujii asked, “Isn’t it bitter?”, and Akimoto noted “Because of this I love it. Especially I like it simply boiled and eaten with soy sauce. It’s good with beer.” During their conversation, the rambunctious comedians were commenting, “Ah,” “Bitter melon,” “It’s good,” and the like in a typical comedic style.

Fujii pointed out unexpected things. “Those 2 troupes decided to perform in OIMF even though many comedians are not really booked.” The boys winced at the jab. Murakami of Shizuru noted, “I’d like to make a convivial atmosphere on stage and encourage the festival so that people can enjoy the movies.” His comedy partner Ikeda took a more ironic approach saying, “Critics said that creating a movie festival in Okinawa was unrealistic, that it was impossible. So I said ‘Just come to Okinawa anyways!’” The funnyman wore a white shirt and jacket, very different than his usual attire of a T-shirt with a face on it.

The manzai comedian Kurose of Punk BooBoo noted his determination. “We love Okinawa. I want to do a good performance even if there are strong winds whipping the stage.” His partner Satou said, “For comedians that stage may not be an easy one to do a performance on. But even in this situation, the audience in Okinawa is warm so we can feed off of that. On occasion when I a taxi in Okinawa the driver goes the wrong way. In an ordinary situation I would complain, but if the drivers say ‘I made a mistake’ (in Okinawa dialect) then I cannot have to say ‘It’s all right.’  

-The press conference no.1

-The press conference no.2

At the end of the press conference, many of the talented performers on stage gave a cheer: “Let’s help the movie festival succeed!” The festival has many sections and projects with al of cooperation from Okinawa prefecture. This year the fest will bring even more joy and laughter to the islands.  

The information of the movie festival

5^th Okinawa International Movie Festival

The term: Saturday, 23^rd  to Sunday, 30^th March 2013

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