Sentai Filmworks announces acquisition of CAPTAIN EARTH

An endless rainbow triggers the beginning of an epic battle for Earth’s survival in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Captain Earth. This sci-fi mecha series is directed by Takuya Igarashi (Sailor Moon Sailor Stars, Star Driver ) with series composition by Yuji Enokido (Revolutionary Girl Utena, Ouran High School Host Club), Character design by Satoshi Ishino (Excel Saga, No. 6) and animation production by BONES (RahXephon, Xam’d: Lost Memories).

“When I opened the door called truth, my childhood ended. It was a summer I could never forget.”

Synopsis: The night before his summer vacation, second-year high school student Daichi Manatsu’s life as he once knew it would be forever changed. An unusual round rainbow appears floating in the sky above and he knows he must follow it. With memories of his father's inexplicable death haunting him and a previous encounter of a mysterious boy and girl, Daichi follows the rainbow – one he has seen in his past - and travels to Tanegashima Island to investigate.

Arriving on the island with mixed emotions, the home of Japan's Tanegashima Space Center, Daichi runs into a 17-year-old boy named Teppei Arashi who asks why Daichi has returned to this island. While he may not know or fully understand his fate, Daichi knows he’s returned there to fulfill a promise. Now, with panic alarms sounding and an unruly force known as the Kill-T-Gang quickly approaching to attack, Daichi must suit up for the invasion in the mecha battle to end all mecha battles in  Captain Earth. 

Captain Earth will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

Three new POKÉMON box sets coming later this year from VIZ

© 2011 Pokémon.
© 1995-2011 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.
POCKET MONSTERS SPECIAL © 1997 Hidenori KUSAKA, Satoshi YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT PREVIEWS

THREE NEW UPCOMING POKÉMON MANGA BOX SETS

Look Forward To New Multi-Volume Box Sets

For POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE,

POKÉMON ADVENTURES RUBY & SAPPHIRE, And

POKÉMON ADVENTURES DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM

VIZ Media delivers exciting adventures featuring favorite Pokémon characters with the announcement of three new POKÉMON manga (graphic novel) box sets later this year from the Perfect Square imprint. The POKÉMON ADVENTURES RUBY & SAPPHIRE Box Set and the POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE Box Set 2 are scheduled for release in September. A POKÉMON ADVENTURES DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM Box Set will debut in October. POKÉMON manga are rated ‘A’ for All Ages and each of the forthcoming sets will include a collectible full-color poster.

POKÉMON ADVENTURES RUBY & SAPPHIRE BOX SET • MSRP: $59.99 U.S. / $79.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Sept. 2014
Ruby’s father Norman is the new Gym Leader of Petalburg City. But Ruby doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps – he wants to win Pokémon Contests! Sapphire’s father Professor Birch is the local Pokémon researcher. But Sapphire is tired of gathering scientific data – she wants to win Pokémon Battles! When Ruby and Sapphire meet, they’re more likely to hit each other than hit it off. But then Sapphire challenges Ruby to a competition! Which of them will achieve their dreams in just eighty days?! Set contains the complete Ruby & Sapphire arc (Vols. 15-22) of the bestselling POKÉMON ADVENTURES series and a collectible color poster.

POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE BOX SET 2 • MSRP: $25.99 U.S. / $29.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Sept. 2014
Meet Pokémon Trainers Black and White! His entire life, Black has dreamed of winning the Pokémon League! Now he embarks on a journey to explore the Unova region and fill a Pokédex for Professor Juniper. White has an exciting career as the Trainer of a talented troupe of performing Pokémon. She dreams of making her Tepig Gigi a star! Together, Black and White continue on their journey... What surprising new Pokémon – and people – will they meet along the way?! Compact manga set includes POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE Volumes 9–14 and a collectible color poster.

POKÉMON ADVENTURES DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM • MSRP: $89.99 U.S. / $115.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Oct. 2014
Set contains the complete Diamond & Pearl/Platinum story arc (Vols. 1-11) of the bestselling POKÉMON ADVENTURES series, along with a collectible color poster! Pokémon Trainers Pearl and Diamond are starstruck! Their goal? To perfect their Pokémon comedy act. So how do they wind up as bodyguards to a pampered little rich girl on a quest to reach the peak of Mt. Coronet? Thrills and laughs are guaranteed as the POKÉMON ADVENTURES series continues with POKÉMON DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM.

POKÉMON is one of the most successful international entertainment franchises of all time. Nickelodeon magazine gave the property its 2009 “Favorite Manga Award,” and more than 245 million POKÉMON video game titles have been sold to-date worldwide. The 17th season of the POKÉMON animation, Pokémon the Series: XY, launched January 18 in the U.S. on Cartoon Network. VIZ Media is the official North American publisher of a variety of popular POKÉMON manga graphic novel series.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation. Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

Sentai Filmworks announces licensing of NO GAME, NO LIFE

The game is on, and for two players the stakes are nothing less than the end of humanity in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, No Game, No Life. This fantasy adventure series from original creator Yuu Kamiya is directed by Atsuko Ishizuka (The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, NANA) with series composition by Jukki Hanada (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, Beyond the Boundary), art direction by Eiji Iwase (Campione!, Divergence Eve) and animation production by Madhouse Studios (Highschool of the Dead, BTOOOM!).

Synopsis: As urban legend would have it, siblings Sora and Shiro are gods amongst their fellow man when it comes to the gaming world. Blazing hot on the internet, their reputation precedes them as this bright brother and sister duo have made quite the name for themselves as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) hikikomori (shut-in) gamers. Of course, they both question their happiness in the real world only to discover that there is a parallel world where everything is decided by a game. Homebound hermits, withdrawn from life, they are summoned to a fantasy world by a boy calling himself “God.”

In this world, all armed conflict and violence have been banned and the races must resolve their disagreements through gaming. Now, the siblings find themselves as the would-be saviors of the human race. Will this dynamic duo be brilliant enough in this game world to be the salvation of all humanity? The deck might be stacked against them, but Shiro and Sora are determined to duel till the end in No Game, No Life.

No Game, No Life will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

VIZ Media to debut new manga series WORLD TRIGGER this fall

WORLD TRIGGER © 2013 by Daisuke Ashihara/SHUEIHSA Inc.

A PAIR OF UNLIKELY HEROES ARE EARTH’S LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

IN VIZ MEDIA’S MANGA, WORLD TRIGGER, DEBUTING THIS FALL

Gear Up As A Geek And His Peculiar Friend

Take On Alien Invaders In Series Straight From

The Pages Of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP

VIZ Media has announced the launch of a new manga (graphic novel) series this Fall with the release of WORLD TRIGGER in October. Created by Daisuke Ashihara, it has been thrilling domestic fans with new chapters featured regularly in the company’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP digital manga magazine and will captivate even more readers as it begins its release in graphic novel format.

WORLD TRIGGER debuts under its Shonen Jump imprint with the first two volumes releasing simultaneously on October 7th. Vols. 1 and 2 are rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN each. Digital versions will also launch for $6.99 (USD/CAN) each on the same day on VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores. New volumes will be released by bi-monthly.

WORLD TRIGGER begins four years after a mysterious portal to another dimension bursts open and invincible monsters called Neighbors invade Earth. Osamu Mikumo may not be the best among the elite warriors who co-opt other-dimensional technology to fight back, but along with his Neighbor friend Yuma, he’ll do whatever it takes to defend life on Earth as we know it.

In the series’ opening volume, upstanding Osamu always does the right thing, whether it means pitching in to save Earth after school or turning the other cheek to bullies. But when he meets a feisty humanoid Neighbor named Yuma, everything that he thinks is right is turned on its head. Can the two natural enemies ever become friends?

“In WORLD TRIGGER, Mikado City will never be the same once the aliens invade and it’s up to a team of unlikely heroes armed with weapons called Triggers to defeat them and save mankind,” says Hope Donovan, Editor. “This hugely entertaining manga series has delighted WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP fans with its fast-paced story, dynamic and relatable characters, and clean, engaging art style. Catch all the opening action as we release the first two manga volumes simultaneously in print and digitally this Fall!”

For more information on WORLD TRIGGER, or other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

Sentai Filmworks licenses IS THE ORDER A RABBIT?

Cat cafes beware: there’s a new contender for cute hopping its way over, and the order of the day is fluffy, white and full of bite in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Is the Order a Rabbit? This slice of life comedy series is directed by Horiyuki Hashimoto (Angel Beats!, Devil Survivor 2) with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Kämpfer, Princess Resurrection), character design by Yousuke Okuda (Kuroko’s Basketball, Tari Tari) and animation production by WHITE FOX (SoniAni – Super Sonico the Animation, Tears to Tiara).

Synopsis: Tea time has never been cuter or furrier! Get ready for a triple shot of adorable, and join Cocoa and her high school friends for a hopping good time as they embark on new exploits, living the good life and hanging out at their neighborhood joint - a quaint café called Rabbit House. Based on the popular four-panel manga, this slice of life, teenage school-girl comedy is just the mid-day “pick-me-up” you ordered. Time spent with friends is great, but hanging out beside a bundle of bouncing and beguiling bunnies makes it all the merrier!

All named after delicious and refreshing beverages, cute Cocoa (“hot cocoa”), tough Rize ("Thé des Alizés" tea), ordinary Syaro ("Kilimanjaro" coffee), frivolous Chiya ("Uji matcha" tea), and cool Chino (from "cappucino") are destined to be your favorite tea-time companions as all the fun is just a hop, skip, and a jump away in - Is the Order a Rabbit?

Is the Order a Rabbit? will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

Special theatrical premiere of TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING in major Canadian cities in June

VIZ MEDIA AND ELEVEN ARTS PRESENT

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING

IN A SPECIAL THEATRCIAL PREMIERE IN

MAJOR CANADIAN CITIES IN JUNE

Japan’s Favorite Corporately Sponsored Superheroes

Deliver The Action For A Big Screen Premiere With

A New Look, New Heroes, And An Intense Battle

Against A New Cast Of Powerful Villains

VIZ Media continues its collaboration with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS and issues a special invitation to fans and filmgoers in Canada to attend the theatrical premiere of TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING in 35 Canadian cities – for two days only – Thursday and Sunday, June 26th and 29th.

For this special theatrical event, Japan’s favorite new breed of crime-fighting superhero delivers the big screen anime action to cities across Canada including Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and many more. Tickets will be available for $12.95 (CAN) each for adults and $10.95 (CAN) each for children (under 12). Attendees will also receive a free 12” x 18” double-sided premium cardstock TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING movie poster, while supplies last. A complete list of screenings along with ticket information and theatre locations is available at: http://www.cineplex.com/Movie/tiger-bunny-the-movie-the-rising.

In TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, the heroes are back in an all-new feature-length film! Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a.k.a. Wild Tiger, and Barnaby Brooks Jr.’s partnership comes to a sudden end when Apollon Media’s new owner Mark Schneider fires Kotetsu and moves Barnaby back into the First League, pairing him up with Golden Ryan, a new hero with awesome powers and a huge ego to match. When the heroes are sent to investigate a string of strange incidents tied closely to the city’s Goddess Legend, they discover three super-powered NEXTs plotting to bring terror and destruction to Stern Bild.

VIZ Media is the also distributor of the TIGER & BUNNY manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise. VIZ Media also licenses and distributes the popular TIGER & BUNNY feature film and anime series that are available on DVD/Blu-ray as well as on the company’s NeonAlley.com, the new online destination for on-demand anime.

More information on the TIGER & BUNNY anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com
.

Free screening of Nora NOH in NYC next Tuesday, April 29th

Korean Cultural Service New York

presents

Korean Movie Night 2014

Series Two

Korean Girl Power: Embracing What Matters

 Nora NOH

Directed by KIM Seong

South Korea, 2013, 93 minutes

When: Tuesday April 29, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas 54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Map

Admission: FREE!!!
North American Premiere

Nora NOH was considered one of the Korea’s greatest fashion designers, and dominated the Korean fashion scene – and culture – of the 1980s. She was the first person to host a fashion show in Korea, brought miniskirts to the forefront of fashion, and became the first Korean designer to secure placement in Macy’s department store. Join us for this exhilarating story of a trailblazing feminist’s struggles and successes – brought to life through interviews, rare photos, and absolutely amazing footage. This celebratory documentary from director KIM Sung is a special kind of film that young and old, men and women, simply cannot miss.

[Note; Although this trailer does not have them, the
film that will be shown does have English subtitles]

Sentai Filmworks announces acquisition of THE COMIC ARTIST AND HIS ASSISTANTS

In this office the assistants hold the whip, and nothing will keep them from meeting their deadlines in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, The Comic Artist and His Assistants. This slice of life comedy series is directed by Takeshi Furuta (Tiger & Bunny, Place to Place) with series composition by Aki Itami (Flowers of Evil, Fruits Basket), character design by Hitomi Tsuruta (Gintama, Cyberteam in Akihabara) and animation production by ZEXCS (Say, “I Love You”, Chu-Bra!!).

Synopsis: The life of an artist can be hard: Long, laborious hours working in a studio with only your thoughts and assistants to keep you company. In the case of overworked mangaka Aito Yuuki his attempts to merge the two are so far unsuccessful. With so many lovely ladies around, Aito’s stream of consciousness tends to quickly get off the rails and take a turn for the perverse. His priorities are askew and subjecting his assistants to his fantasies has taken precedent over work.

Despite Aito’s blatant abuse of power, his beautiful, talented assistants are willing to play along if it means that their work will be successful. It’s all for the sake of the manga, right? At least, that’s what they tell themselves until Aito’s gets a little grabby. Thankfully, editor Mihari is there to keep him in line, from threatening to fire him to physical punishment. Will Aito’s abuse of power result in romance or rough treatment? Find out in this comedy slice of life - The Comic Artist and His Assistants. 

The Comic Artist and His Assistants will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

Happy Birthday wishes to Johnnie To

Writer, producer and director Johnnie To was born in Hong Kong on April 22, 1955. He's probably best known for his crime/action or policier films. Among the more than 50 movies he's directed are:

The Mission (1999

 

PTU (2003)

 

Drug War (2012)

 
Such well known Hong Kong stars as Simon Yam, Andy Lau, and Suet Lam frequently star in To vehicles.

So Happy 59th Birthday wishes to you Johnnie. Looking forward to more great films from you in the future.

Remembering Kaneto Shindo

Japanese writer/director Kaneto Shindo was born on April 22 1912 in Hiroshima prefecture. He died of natural causes on May 29th, 2012, at the age of 100.

Shindo is credited at IMDb with directing 45 titles writing 168. His career began in 1941; his last film, Postcard, which he also directed and wrote the screenplay for, was released in 2010. He won 30 awards and received 15 other nominations.

He is perhaps best known for his screenplays of Hachi-ko (1987) and its American remake Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) and for writing and directing Onibaba (1964) and Kuroneko (1968), the latter two films both being available in The Criterion Collection. Shindo's last film, Postcard, which he also directed and wrote the screenplay for, was released in 2010.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP "Jump Pack" Issue 2 is available now

NARUTO © 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.

BLEACH © 2001 by Tite Kubo/SHUEISHA Inc.

ONE PIECE © 1997 by Eiichiro Oda/SHUEISHA Inc.

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL © 2014 by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Ryosuke Takeuchi, yoshitoshi ABe, Takeshi Obata/SHUEISHA Inc.

LEAP INTO THE WORLD OF MANGA AS VIZ MEDIA RELEASES NEW

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP PRINT EDITION “JUMP PACK” ISSUE 2

New Print Issue Features 100+ Pages Of Manga Content,

A 3-Month Digital Subscription And An Exclusive

Blue-Eyes White Dragon YU-GI-OH! Collectable Trading Card

VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP manga (graphic novel) magazine returns to its roots in print as it gives North American fans a special treat with the release of the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Jump Pack 2014, Issue 2 available now. The jam-packed print edition contains more than 100 pages of the world’s most popular featured series and is an ideal way to check out what the digital WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine offers.

The WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Jump Pack is available in the U.S. and Canada exclusively through retailers serviced by Diamond Comic Distributors and also from leading online anime/manga retailer Right Stuf. The WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Jump Pack 2014, Issue 2 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN.

The latest Jump Pack issue features the current hit series, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, by DEATH NOTE and BAKUMAN｡ artist Takeshi Obata, as well as chapters from continuing fan favorites such as BLEACH, NARUTO, ONE PIECE, YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL and much more. The issue also includes a promotional code for a 3-month weekly digital subscription to the magazine along with a limited edition Blue-Eyes White Dragon YU-GI-OH! trading card with exclusive variant art from Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the YU-GI-OH! series.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s premiere manga brand and leading weekly manga magazine. The digital version published by VIZ Media features the latest installments of some of the world’s most popular manga series released every week to English readers on the same day as the magazine’s general print release in Japan. Currently serialized titles include the sci-fi action series, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL (based on the novel of the same name which is the source material for the major motion picture, Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt!), and the recently launched STEALTH SYMPHONY, with story by Ryohgo Narita (Durarara!!) and bold artwork by Yoichi Amano. These join other popular series such as BLEACH, ONE PIECE, NARUTO, NISEKOI, ONE-PUNCH MAN, SERAPH OF THE END, TORIKO, and WORLD TRIGGER. The latest new chapters of monthly series BLUE EXORCIST and YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL debut on the closest Monday after their Japanese release.

VIZ Media also offers North American fans single issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP for only $0.99 each. One-year Memberships are also available for only $25.99 (U.S. / CAN) and include 48 weekly digital issues as well as exclusive YU-GI-OH! Collectable Trading Cards, special one-shot manga, exclusive digital-only promotions, and access to additional subscriber-only content including creator interviews and insightful promo videos. Current subscribers can also access their accounts via VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App, or with the Apple iOS Newsstand App.

The digital version of the magazine is also available to international readers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa via the Newsstand App for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini, or the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App on the Google Play Store for Android devices. International issues debut each Monday at 10:00am (PST) and monthly subscriptions are available with automatic monthly renewals. Additional information on international subscriptions is available at http://shonenjump.viz.com/international-wsj-app .

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit shonenjump.viz.com.

Sentai Filmworks acquires license for KAMIGAMI NO ASOBI

A young girl is given the herculean task of strengthening the bonds between humans and gods by Zeus himself in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Kamigami no Asobi. This supernatural romance series is directed by Tomoyuki Kawamura (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Good Luck Girl!) with series composition by Tomoko Kanparu (Kimi ni Todoke – From Me to You, NANA), character design by Minako Shiba (Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee, Black Butler) and animation production by Brains Base (One Week Friends, Penguindrum).

Synopsis: The question of who weaves our destiny has always been shrouded in mystery. However, in a twist of fate, Yui Kusanagi discovers a mighty and mysterious sword that transports her to another world. There, this ordinary high school girl finds herself face-to-face with the mighty Greek god Zeus. As her fortune would have it, The God of Thunder has an unusual request: remain in the dimension he has created and attend a school of legendary proportions.

When he’s not busy ruling the universe, Zeus acts as headmaster and dean for a school of young, somewhat misguided gods. The bond between humans and gods has weakened, and it is now up to Yui to teach the gods about love and what it means to be human. Will the dice of fortune fall in her favor? Or will the pressure of being a modern-day Venus be too much to handle? Only time will tell what happens as her fate unfolds before her. Whatever the outcome, bring on the bishounen as Yui tries to reveal who her true destiny is tied to in Kamigami no Asobi.

Kamigami no Asobi will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC III – THE ADVENT is now available from VIZ on Blu-ray and DVD

©KM・H/B

VIZ MEDIA LETS SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR

FOR THE DVD AND BLU-RAY RELEASE OF

BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC III – THE ADVENT

Lone Mercenary Guts Returns To The Band Of The Hawk

For A Final Quest In The Exciting Climax To The Epic

Medieval Anime Action Feature Film Trilogy

VIZ Media offers the action-packed, bloody conclusion to the BERSERK anime feature film trilogy as it announces the release of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC III - THE ADVENT on DVD and Blu-ray, available now.

The new release is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and will carry a DVD MSRP of $19.98 U.S. / $24.98 CAN and a Blu-ray MSRP of $24.98 U.S. / $27.50 CAN. The DVD edition features Japanese and English 5.1 audio with both subbed and subtitled dialogue options. The Blu-ray version features crisp 1080p HD resolution along with Japanese and English DTS-HD audio and subbed and subtitled dialogue options.

DVD bonus features include a production art gallery, theatrical trailers, original Japanese TV spots and the ending theme, “breakthrough.” The Blu-ray edition also includes all DVD features with additional content, including a special highlight reel for the U.S. theatrical premiere of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY, outtakes from THE ADVENT and THE EGG OF THE KING, and an interview with Eiko Tanaka, President of Studio 4ºC, which produced the entire BERSERK anime trilogy.

In BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC III - THE ADVENT, the horrifying conclusion to the Golden Age unfolds in a magnificently violent nightmare, signifying the birth of a new era. It’s been a year since Griffith’s imprisonment by the Kingdom of Midland. Once praised as the saviors of the Midland, the Band of the Hawk has been on the run and is on the brink of breaking apart. Much to everyone’s surprise, Guts returns to the Hawks, and the search for Griffith begins.

“The drama and on-screen action reaches a feverish climax in the stunning finale to the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC trilogy,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “Audiences will not want to miss even a second of this stirring adventure, depicted in a lush blend of traditional and CGI animation, as the events set in motion in the previous two movies come to a head! Anime and action fans everywhere are going to delight in the violent but satisfying conclusion to the acclaimed trilogy.”

Also catch BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING and BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II- THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY available now on DVD and Blu-ray from VIZ Media.

The BERSERK manga series, by Kentarou Miura, debuted in Japan in 1989 and quickly drew a devoted following, going on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide. The series, still ongoing in Japan, has been published in North America and the UK, as well as in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Latin America. The BERSERK manga has also inspired a popular anime television series and has spawned a variety of related video games, collectable figures and toys, and music soundtracks, as well as the current BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy.

For more information on the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy, visit the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BerserkFilm.

GODZILLA returns!

Rialto Pictures

presents

Rialto Pictures

Godzilla: The Japanese Original

Directed by Ishirô Honda

Japan, 1954, 96 minutes

Yes, that's right, Godzilla is back. Not Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 80 minute, 1956 U.S. travesty with substantial cuts from the original and additional footage featuring Raymond Burr, but a new restoration of Ishirô Honda’s complete, uncut original landmark kaiju eiga (monster movie). Featuring new subtitles by Bruce Goldstein and Michie Yamakawa, Godzilla: The Japanese Original will play at Film Forum, at 209 West Houston Street, in New York starting today, Friday, April 18 through Thursday, April 24 to commemorate the picture’s 60th anniversary. Showtimes daily at 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:30, & 9:45. Godzilla: The Japanese Original will subsequently roll out in other U.S. cities in May, July and August. For a complete list of cities, theaters and opening dates, click here.

I am sure that I saw Godzilla, King of the Monsters as an eight year old back in 1956, with additional viewings on TV over the years. I only got to see the original Japanese version when it was released awhile back on a very good two-disc DVD edition from Classic Media that featured both versions of the film. Subsequently, The Criterion Collection also put out a two-disc edition that included both versions.

So I was very excited when I got to see this new restoration at a press screening at Film Forum, and overall it was a wonderful experience. Truth be told, a few shots on the first boat that sinks seemed to be a bit on the dark side, which I verified by watching both the Classic Media and Criterion DVDs. (The darkness may have had something to do with the movie being a digital projection.) Other than that, the imaging was first-rate, as were the subtitles. And part of me did wish that I was watching it on one of the large theater screens of my youth. But except for The Ziegfeld Theater and a few other dinosaurs (no pun intended), multiplex-sized screens are now the norm.

Still, it was wonderful to sit in a dark theater and watch the big guy wreck havoc on Tokyo once again. The original version is very powerful, even with the obvious miniatures, the use of toy models, and the occasionally visible wires. One thing that I've come to appreciate -- at least to some degree -- is what it must have been like for Japanese audiences to watch the film in 1954, roughly nine years after the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were all but obliterated by the two atomic bombs that were dropped on them, leading to the end of World War II.  Certain buildings Godzilla destroys would have been readily recognizable to them, whereas they're just buildings to Western eyes. And i can't begin to describe the incredible feeling I had when Akira Ifukube's Godzilla theme came blaring out of the theater's audio system. Let's just say I applauded enthusiastically.

This original, uncut restoration of Godzilla is the way to see this seminal film, and a theatrical setting is the place in which to do it. While watching either the Classic Media or Criterion DVDs in your living room is a wonderful thing to be able to do, seeing Godzilla: The Japanese Original at Film Forum or one of the other theaters where it will be playing is hands down the way to go.

A Toho Film / A Rialto Pictures Release

Other Godzilla news:

- Legendary Pictures’ remake of Godzilla, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston, opens nationwide on May 16.

- This summer Kraken Releasing will be putting out three Godzilla features: 1971’s Godzilla® vs.Hedorah™ (released theatrically in the U.S in 1972 as Godzilla® vs. the Smog Monster), 1966’s Ebirah™, Horror of the Deep (originally released in the U.S. in 1968 under the title Godzilla® Vs. The Sea Monster) and 1972’s Godzilla® vs. Gigan™ (released in the U.S. in 1977 as Godzilla® on Monster Island). Each title will be available on Blu-ray and DVD and will include both the English dubbed and original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles.

Sentai Filmworks licenses LOVE LAB

A new kind of class is in session, and the matters of love are on the agenda in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Love Lab. From original creator Ruri Miyahara, this heartwarming junior high school comedy series is directed by Masahiko Ohta (Minami-ke, Brighter than the Dawning Blue) with series composition by Takashi Aoshima (Mitsudomoe, Yuruyuri – Happy go Lily), music by Yasuhiro Misawa (Kokoro Connect, La storia della Arcana Famiglia), and animation production by Dogakobo (Engaged to the Unidentified, Majestic Prince).

Synopsis: Perhaps it was from the shock of discovering her school’s most respected girl kissing a life-size huggie doll, but in those first awkward moments Riko Kurahashi said something she wishes she hadn’t. Because not only did student council president Natsuo Maki completely swallow Riko’s glib fib about being “popular with the boys,” she drafted Riko as her aide and advisor in love and romance! That would have been bad enough if Natsuo only wanted advice, but Fujisaki Girls Academy’s most brilliant student is also the most obsessive, and simply talking about the opposite sex isn’t sufficient.

No, Natsuo postulates hypothetical scenarios and “researches” them in her secret Love Lab! And since interaction with boys is banned at Fujisaki, guess who has to help act those fantasies out? And as other girls join the Love Lab, Riko’s role as the group’s love-master becomes even worse! Because she ISN’T one! Most boys don’t even LIKE her, but how can she admit that without destroying the friendships she now cherishes? Exposure looms and each new “experiment” brings Riko one step closer to total disaster as Love and Deception combine into the ultimate explosive mixture in the Love Lab.

Love Lab will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

THAT DEMON WITHIN opens tomorrow in limited release

China Lion

presents

That Demon Within / Mo jing

Directed by Dante Lam

Hong Kong/China, 2014, 112 minutes

That Demon Within is the latest film by veteran Hong Kong director Dante Lam (Unbeatable, The Viral Factor). It will open in North America tomorrow, Friday, April 18th, day-and-date with its Hong Kong release. The movie will screen in major metro areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Vancouver.(Check local listings.)

Golden Horse Award-winner Daniel Wu (Overheard, Hot Summer Days, Control) stars as Dave Wong, a 35 year old who's been a police officer for 17 years. In that time he's served in 23 of Hong Kong's 42 precincts. The reason is that he's a stubborn, overly conscientious cop who gets along with no one. He's currently assigned to manning a post at a hospital E.R. in West Kowloon by himself.

Daniel Wu as troubled police officer Dave Wong

One night a wounded man comes into the E.R. He's Hon Kong, an armed robber and a cop killer. He needs blood, but the hospital is very low on his blood type. Kong is played by Nick Chueng, who recently won the award for Best Actor at the 33rd Hong Kong film awards for his performance in Unbeatable (2013).

Wong, who is unaware of who and what Wong is, happens to be the same type and he donates the blood that saves Kong's life. Soon thereafter he's roundly berated by Sr. Inspector C.F. "Pops" Mok for saving not just a notorious criminal, but a cop killer to boot.

Nick Cheung as Hon Kong

It quickly becomes clear that Wong has some serious issues, ones that for the most part originated in the enormous demands his father placed on him during his youth. As a result, he's very guilty about having been instumental in saving Kong's life. Wong's supervisor, Liz Kwok (Christie Chen, in her second feature film) has her sister Stephanie, who's a psychiatrist, examine Wong to ascertain just how severe his problems are.

As the film heads towards it's violent conclusion, the key question is will Wong be able to master the demon within him or succumb to its self-destructive power.

Two of the thieves in their demon masks during a shoot-out with police

There were several aspects of the film that brought other movies to mind. At the beginning, the gang of crooks don demon masks that made me think of those worn in The 5 Deadly Venoms. The street battles between the thieves and police were reminiscent of Heat. Finally, the female shrink examining an officer of the low reminded me of Infernal Affairs. This is not to suggest that I found That Demon Within derivative, because I didn't. I mention these comparison only because they kicked off the associations I mention. Maybe Lam intended them to be references or homages, maybe not.

Whatever the case, Lam, who co-wrote the screenplay with Wai Lun Ng, has fashioned a gripping psychological action-thriller. If it's playing near you, by all means check it out. It's well worth your time and money.

ACF Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; a good film, solidly recommended.

Info and video clips at That Demon Within's official website.

Further info about That Demon Within can be found at China Lion on Facebook.

Flora Lau’s BENDS to kick-off MoMA's 7th ContemporAsian film series

MoMA Presents

ContemporAsian

 Bends

Written and directed by Flora Lau

With Carina Lau, Chen Kun, Tian Yuan. 

Hong Kong, 2013, 97 minutes

In Cantonese, Mandarin; English subtitles

When: April 21–27, 2014

Where: Museum of Modern Art 

11 West 53 Street, New York
The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters
Buy tickets here

 
The seventh season of the Museum of Modern Art's ContemporAsian film series will begin next Monday with a one week run of Flora Lau’s classical drama, which debuted in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section. The film is a two-character piece in which each personifies the differences between Hong Kong and mainland China, and their somewhat uneasy coexistence.

A wealthy Hong Kong housewife, Anna, lives a spoiled, bored life. When her husband suddenly leaves, taking the money and prestige with him, she refuses to accept her changed circumstances. Her chauffeur, Fai, who lives in an ugly barrack across the border in Shenzhen, is trying to get his wife—whose second pregnancy is a violation of the Chinese one- child policy—over the border so she can give birth in Hong Kong. With beautiful camera work by the incomparable Christopher Doyle, the film’s elegant look and languorous rhythms create an affecting reflection of the characters’ emotional isolation. As they become increasingly desperate, the sharp distinctions between their two worlds become ever clearer. In Cantonese, Mandarin; English subtitles

Schedule:
Monday, April 21 at 7:00 - at this screening the film will be introduced by director Lau, who will also participate in a post-screening discussion
Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00
Wednesday, April 23 at 4:00
Thursday, April 24 at 4:00
Friday, April 25 at 7:00
Saturday, April 26 at 4:00 
Sunday, April 27 at 5:00

GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET now streaming for free on VIZ's Neon Alley

VIZ MEDIA’S NEON ALLEY LAUNCHES

BEAUTIFUL ANIMATED SCI-FI ACTION SERIES

GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET

Catch The Entire Subtitled 13-Episode Series FOR FREE

On Neon Alley Online Anime Streaming Platform!

VIZ Media brings the intergalactic action drama – GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET – to its new Neon Alley FREE online streaming anime platform. The lushly animated 13-episode adventure was created by the famed animation studio Production I.G. and is available today in its entirety at NeonAlley.com. For $7.99 a month, U.S. fans can also access GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET on mobile and digital devices through the subscription-based Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand service. The premiere of a dubbed version will follow later in the year.

In the distant future, Ledo, a young soldier from space wakes up and finds himself marooned on an ocean planet. Growing up in space, and knowing nothing but battle, he is a stranger in a strange land, full of odd customs and a foreign language, but he’s not alone. Starting a new journey on this verdurous planet, Ledo must find a way to survive and reconcile the fact that he may never be able to return home!

“GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET is a gorgeous story charting young pilot Ledo’s journey of self discovery as he visits a strange and nature-filled planet ‘Earth’ for the very first time,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “The evocative adventure delivers a substantial plot, intriguing characters and beautifully rendered animation created by Japan’s most famous anime studios. With the flexibility of the free Neon Alley streaming platform, fans can dive in and marathon the entire series at their leisure!”

Neon Alley delivers the hottest in subbed and dubbed digital anime series, simulcast world premieres, exclusive on-demand access, and a massive legacy catalog of new as well as classic favorites (in HD when available). NeonAlley.com is a premier on-demand, online destination for streaming anime content in the U.S. The service is available for FREE online and also anytime, anywhere across a wide array of different devices, including PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Roku, Chromecast, and a variety of other mobile devices through the subscription-based Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand service. Additional details on Hulu Plus-enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.

Additional information on Neon Alley is available at www.NeonAlley.com.

For more information on anime titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

EDGE OF TOMORROW movie tie-in novel and ALL YOU NEED IS KILL graphic novel coming soon

EDGE OF TOMORROW - Movie Tie-In Edition:

©2014 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT ANNOUNCES

EDGE OF TOMORROW OFFICAL MOVIE TIE-IN NOVEL AND

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASE

Two New Science Fiction Action Titles Timed

To Release With The Summer Blockbuster Movie 

EDGE OF TOMORROW

Starring Tom Cruise And Emily Blunt

VIZ Media’s Haikasoru literary imprint supports the upcoming release of the gripping sci-fi action film, Edge of Tomorrow with the release of an official movie tie-in novel on April 29th. The new EDGE OF TOMORROW paperback release will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. The book features a cover with the official movie poster featuring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt in their title roles from the film. The EDGE OF TOMORROW novel was written by Japanese author Hiroshi Sakurazaka, and was previously published as ALL YOU NEED IS KILL.

The Haikasoru imprint has also announced the May 6th release of the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL official graphic novel adaptation. Written by Haikasoru editor and noted sci-fi author, Nick Mamatas, and featuring full-color artwork by popular comic book artist Lee Ferguson (Green Arrow, Miranda Mercury), the new graphic novel offers a single-volume retelling of the original ALL YOU NEED IS KILL novel that inspired the EDGE OF TOMORROW movie. The graphic novel carries an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN, and features an oversized North American graphic novel trim size of 6 5/8" x 10 ¼”. An eBook edition will also be available worldwide for $8.99 (U.S. / CAN) for the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store, and the Kobo eBooks Store. North American fans can also access the graphic novel digitally on the VIZ Manga App as well as through VIZManga.com.

The Edge of Tomorrow feature film is slated for U.S. release from Warner Bros. Pictures on June 6th, and will be presented in 3D and 2D in select theaters, and 3D IMAX. The movie is directed by Doug Liman and stars Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton.

The story is set in the future when aliens called Mimics invade. Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. But he dies on the battlefield after only a few minutes, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally – the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL Graphic Novel:

All You Need Is Kill © 2004 by Hiroshi Sakurazaka

In 2009, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL served as the launch title for Haikasoru, a unique imprint developed by VIZ Media dedicated to publishing the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi declared ALL YOU NEED IS KILL to be a novel that, "reads fast, kicks ass, and keeps on coming," and it has proven to be one of Haikasoru's most popular titles. Sakurazaka's other novels include Characters (co-written with Hiroki Azuma) and SLUM ONLINE, which was published in English by Haikasoru in 2010.

“Live…die…repeat. ALL YOU NEED IS KILL / EDGE OF TOMORROW delivers a nightmarish, action-packed spin on reliving one’s own triumphs, and failures,” says Nick Mamatas, Editor, Haikasoru. “Catch the original story that inspired the gripping movie with the official movie tie-in edition, and in the Western comic book mode with the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL official graphic novel. Both of these debuts are perfect reads leading up to the highly anticipated theatrical debut of Edge of Tomorrow this summer!”

"The ALL YOU NEED TO KILL graphic novel stays very true to the original source novel," says Joel Enos, editor for the new comic. "We made a conscious effort to create something unique that could stand on it's own away from both the original novel, the film and the upcoming manga, but would nicely complement and pay respects to all three! Lee's retro-futuristic art style especially puts ALL YOU NEED TO KILL as a comic into it's own orbit!"

Author Hiroshi Sakurazaka was born in Tokyo in 1970 and published his first novel, Modern Magic Made Simple, in 2003 with Super Dash Bunko, a popular young adult light novel imprint. There are now seven volumes in the series, and it was adapted as a manga in 2008 and became a television anime series in 2009. His 2004 short story, "Saitama Chainsaw Massacre," also won the 16th SF Magazine Reader's Award. Sakurazaka published All You Need Is Kill with Super Dash Bunko in 2004 and earned his first Seiun Award nomination for best of the year honors in Japanese science fiction. In 2010, Sakurazaka started an experimental digital magazine AiR with fellow author Junji Hotta. He remains one of Japan's most energetic writers of both light novels and adult science fiction.

Haikasoru’s Nick Mamatas is the author of several novels, including The Damned Highway (with Brian Keene) and Love is the Law. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, Tor.com, Weird Tales, and numerous other venues. He's also written comics for Media Blasters and the Squid Works! Collective and has been nominated for the Hugo, World Fantasy, Bram Stoker, and Shirley Jackson awards.

Artist Lee Ferguson has worked in comics since 2001, when he broke in at Marvel on the 9/11 Heroes tribute book, followed by work on the company's X-Men titles. Since then, he's worked at DC, IDW, and Dynamite, while also putting out Freak, his creator-owned project from Image Comics. His newest book is The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury, co-created with Brandon Thomas and published through Archaia Comics. In 2012, Miranda Mercury was on YALSA’s Best Graphic Novels for Teens list and was also nominated for four Glyph Awards, including Best Artist.

For more information on EDGE OF TOMORROW / ALL YOU NEED IS KILL and the Haikasoru imprint, visit www.haikasoru.com.

For more information on other titles available from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

CONFESSION OF MURDER available today on Blu-ray and DVD

Well Go USA

presents

 Confession of Murder / Nae-ga sal-in-beom-i-da

Written and Directed by JUNG Byung-gi

South Korea, 2012, 120 minutes

Confession of Murder is an outstanding action packed mystery thriller. It debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD today, Tuesday, April 15th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Between 1986 and 1990, a serial killer committed ten murders. All of his victims were females. There was another woman who disappeared but whose remains were never found; she is believed to probably have been his eleventh victim. The killer was almost captured by Lt. CHOI Hyung-gu (JEONG Jae-yeong, Moss, Our Sunhi), the lead detective on the case, but he got away, leaving CHOI with a physical reminder of their encounter.

Police Lt. CHOI (JEONG Jae-yeong) is hounded by the media

Fifteen years later, after the statute of limitations has run out on the last murder, a book comes out in which the author, a handsome young man named LEE Do-hyuk (PARK Si-Hoo), claims himself to be the killer. His book contains details that seemingly could only have been known by the murderer. He claims that he wrote the book to repent of his crimes. Over three million copies are sold within a month, and a media frenzy ensues. For some in the public, especially younger women, LEE becomes a hero of sorts, an idol.

But for some of the relatives of his victims, LEE must be punished for what he did, statute of limitations be damned. A group of five band together to met out their own form of justice.

LEE Do-hyuk (PARK Si-Hoo) publicizes his book

The situation becomes complicated and rather cloudy when another man who calls himself "J" announces that LEE is a phony and that he, "J," is the real killer. Detective CHOI finds himself caught in the middle of this circus.

Confession of Murder is one of the best thrillers I've seen in a long time. I'm reluctant to write much more about it because I don't want to give anything away, unintentionally or otherwise. It seems obvious that either LEE or "J" is the murderer, but how things play out involves one of the best plot twists I've ever come across. Truly imaginative, yet both intelligent and believable.

And there are some terrific extended action scenes. Early on, in a flashback, CHOI pursues the suspect down streets, through alleyways and across rooftops. Later in the film there's an adrenaline pumping fight between two characters on car moving at high speed. That's right, outside, on the car, not in it!

CHOI (left) confronts LEE

According to IMDb, Confession of Murder is JUNG Byung-gi's feature film debut as both a writer and director. His only previous credit is as director of the documentary Action Boys (2008), which is about some young men trying to become stuntmen in the South Korean film industry. JUNG has demonstrated remarkable talent in Confession and looks to be a bright light who hopefully will shine for many years to come.

Bonus Materials Include:
- a Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
- Interviews with the Cast and Crew
- Trailer

ACF Rating: 4 out of 4 stars; highest recommendation for this really great thriller.

Dante Lam’s action thriller THAT DEMON WITHIN opens this Friday

China Lion

presents

That Demon Within / Mo jing

Directed by Dante Lam

Hong Kong/China, 2014, 112 minutes

That Demon Within a psychological action thriller directed by Dante Lam (Unbeatable, The Viral Factor), will open in North America this coming Friday, April 18th, day-and-date with its Hong Kong release. The movie will screen in major metro areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Vancouver.

That Demon Within stars Golden Horse Award-winner Daniel Wu (Overheard, Hot Summer Days, Control) as Dave Wong, a dutiful police officer who doubts himself after saving the life of a notorious and ruthless killer played by Nick Chueng (On the Edge, The White Storm). Unsure if he did the right thing by protecting a cold-blooded murderer, Wong's actions come back to haunt him when the killer and his gang become the leading suspects in a bloody armed robbery.

Info and video clips at That Demon Within's official website.

2014 CHINESE VISUAL FESTIVAL in London, May 7th - 18th, 2014

The Search

- Guest directors Jia Zhangke and Pema Tseden

- More than 40 cutting-edge films, including world and UK premieres

- China Independent Film Festival 10th Anniversary event and guests

- Wang Xin’s daily experimental art installation project The Gallery

- Local filmmakers showcase, panel discussions and public lectures with key industry
figures and academics, including Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns

- The Chinese Visual Festival Jury Awards, presided by a team of industry and
academic experts, will be announced in early May

The 2014 Chinese Visual Festival (CVF) will run from May 7th – 18th at King’s College London, with events also being held at Riverside Studios in collaboration with DocHouse.

For 2014, the festival is thrilled to welcome two of the most important filmmakers in modern independent Chinese language cinema, Jia Zhangke and Pema Tseden. In addition to a preview of his latest work, the award winning A Touch of Sin at the BFI, Jia will also host a very special screening session at King’s of his rarely seen short films. Acclaimed Tibetan director Pema Tseden opens the festival with Old Dog, as well as screening his other works and taking part in panel discussion sessions on Tibetan Culture and filmmaking. CVF is also delighted to be collaborating with Newcastle University in holding a celebration of ten years of the China Independent Film Festival (CIFF), one of the most vital and enduring Chinese language film events. To help mark this remarkable anniversary, CVF will be hosting a special animation session, as well as welcoming CIFF’s Cao Kai and Zhang Xianmin for what promises to be a fascinating panel discussion.

Today My Mother Will Get Married

Now in its fourth year, CVF has significantly expanded to include the very best in Chinese language independent fiction as well as documentary, art and experimental cinema. The 40+ films screened this year cover a fantastic range of contemporary themes, genres and issues, from mainland Chinese gangsters in Burned Wings and E Huang Mountain to humanist Taiwanese documentaries such as A Rolling Stone and creative experimental cinema in Deformity Sci-Fi and Kun 13: Criticising Ai Weiwei and Wu Haohao.

As usual, CVF guests will be joined by a rich variety of leading academics and key figures in the film industry and related social studies, who will take part in Q&A sessions as well as a program of talks and symposiums, making the festival a lively forum for discussion and debate. This year, audiences will also have the chance to attend sessions with noted writer, commentator, film festival programmer and screenwriter Tony Rayns, who will be presenting The Secret History of Independent Chinese Films.

Burned Wings

By highlighting creativity in both art and film, CVF this year offers something a little different to the usual art exhibition with artist Wang Xin presenting in person her installation The Gallery, which transforms the Anatomy Museum of King’s College Strand Campus into a space for ephemeral art. Up to two of 15 projects will be shown each day, and within the “walls” of the gallery the possibilities are endless - an artist can create a gallery within a gallery, a stage for performance, a café, a creative workshop, a cinema, or even a space for meditation. Through the use of social media and video conferencing, the interactive installation will become a hub of creative exchanges between cities around the world and an ephemeral festival for artists and audiences, local and global.

Festival Director James Mudge commented: “It’s great to be back at King’s again, and this year’s Chinese Visual Festival promises to be the biggest and most varied yet. It’s exciting to see the way people are continuing to respond to and engage with our efforts to bring Chinese language independent cinema to the UK, and we’re thrilled that our audience is continuing to grow. We’re delighted to be able to work with top guests like Jia Zhangke, Pema Tseden and Wang Xin, and I’m also very pleased by the fact that we’ve managed to attract such a strong line-up of films this year, particularly through our expansion into indie fiction”.
 
Details, including links to the full schedule and for buying tickets, are now available on the Chinese Visual Festival website: www.chinesevisualfestival.org.

Exhibition details are available on the Cultural Institute at King’s web pages:
www.kcl.ac.uk/culture.

Free screening of HWANG In-Ho's MONSTER next Tuesday, April 15th

Korean Cultural Service New York

presents

Korean Movie Night 2014

Series Two

Korean Girl Power: Embracing What Matters

Monster

Directed by HWANG In-Ho

South Korea, 2014, 113 minutes

When: Tuesday April 15, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas 54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Map

Admission: FREE!!!

Things get dark and exciting in Hwang In-Ho’s new thriller, Monster – the intense tale of the mentally handicapped Bok-Soon (Kim Go-Eun), who lives and works with her younger sibling. When angered, she tends to go off, and all around her consider her the neighborhood’s crazy woman. All that changes when Bok-Soon discovers a serial killer, who then kills her sibling to hide his secret. Now it’s time for the one woman who no one trusts to track down a killer that no one believes is real.

A thrilling new mystery from director Hwang In-Ho, Monster viciously reminds us that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

VIZ digital manga news for April

DEADMAN WONDERLAND Volume 2 ©Jinsei KATAOKA 2007 ©Kazuma KONDOU 2007

VIZ MEDIA WELCOMES APRIL

BRAND NEW DIGITAL MANGA

Catch The Launch Of Vampire Drama

MILLENNIUM SNOW Along With

Exciting Updates To 26 Other Fan Favorites

VIZ Media welcomes the beginning of Spring with a fresh round of digital manga. Shojo fans will not want to miss the launch of creator Bisco Hatori’s acclaimed wistful romance, MILLENNIUM SNOW, available now.

Notable updates to a variety of other popular ongoing series also include the latest volumes – available now – for: BLEACH (Vol. 60), DRAGON BALL Full Color (Vol. 2), DEADMAN WONDERLAND (Vol. 2), SWEET REIN (Vol. 2), NARUTO (Vol. 65), TORIKO (Vol. 21); HAPPY MARRIAGE (Vol. 5) is also available (only on VIZManga.com and select partner platforms). All of these editions launch digitally the same day as print. April 15th will also see the debut of the latest digital-exclusive edition of the hard-hitting superhero action series, ONE-PUNCH MAN (Vol. 2).

ONE-PUNCH MAN © 2012 by ONE, Yusuke Murata/SHUEISHA Inc.

These titles complement additions to more than 16 other popular manga series and will also feature special multi-volume updates for BOYS OVER FLOWERS (8 new vols.), FIREFIGHTER! (2 new vols.), KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC (7 new vols.), PHOENIX (3 new vols.), and WHISTLE! (5 new vols.). Two additional weekly updates will follow on April 22nd and 29th.

Readers are invited to enjoy these new April manga titles featured on VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App for the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones and 7” tablets, as well as on the Nook, Kindle, Kobo, iBooks and GooglePlay stores. With these dynamic platforms, fans can explore and enjoy a wide range of new and classic manga series that spans more than 2,000 volumes across 175 different series.

MILLENNIUM SNOW:

Sennen no Yuki © Bisco Hatori 1998/HAKUSENSHA, Inc.

MILLENNIUM SNOW, Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) • Available Now!
MILLENNIUM SNOW is a celebrated shojo manga series created by Bisco Hatori. Seventeen-year-old Chiyuki Matsuoka was born with heart problems, and her doctors say she won't live to see the next snow. Toya is an 18-year-old vampire who hates blood and refuses to make the traditional partnership with a human, whose life-giving blood would keep them both alive for a thousand years. Chiyuki makes the most of the time she has left, even though things aren't that exciting--until she comes across the reluctant vampire late one chilly night. Can Chiyuki teach Toya to feel passion for life, even as her own is ending?

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform registered users are able to use one account to view their purchased manga across more devices than ever. New series and volumes are added every Tuesday. Fans can also find these titles and more for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

All manga volumes are available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the VIZ Manga application starting from $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) each and readers can also explore all titles with free Chapter 1 previews of every series. For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

Download the free VIZ Manga App for Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, visit www.vizmanga.com.