HOT PROJECTS JAPAN


HOT MARKET TITLE


TOMIE: UNLIMITED The Tomie manga and fi lm franchise is popular with J-horror fans around the world, and it is rebooted by genre director Noboru Iguchi (Machine Girl, Karate-Robo Zaborgar). An indestructible schoolgirl ‘succubus’ returns from the dead on her 18th birthday in a tale of jealousy between two sisters. Gore and nightmarish imagery bring Junji Ito’s disturbingly alluring manga panels to life. Starring Miu Nakamura, Moe Arai and Aika Ota of pop idols AKB48, Tomie: Unlimited has its fi rst full market premiere in Cannes. International sales (except Asia) Rina Sasakura, Nikkatsu sasakura@nikkatsu.co.jp


HOT MARKET TITLE


BUNNY DROP (USAGI DROP) The subject of a recent retrospective at the Japan Society in New York, cult director Sabu’s international reputation has continued to grow since the 1990s with titles such as Dangan Runner, Monday and The Blessing Bell. His often adrenaline-charged, visual storytelling uniquely captures human foibles, making Sabu a festival circuit favourite — seen by his ongoing relationship with the Berlin fi lm festival. Bunny Drop is his fi rst feature since 2009’s


Kanikosen, which had its international premiere at the New York Film Festival. Based on a hit manga, Bunny Drop tells the funny and touching tale of a bachelor who raises the precocious six-year-old love child of his recently deceased grandfather. Starring Norwegian Wood’s Kenichi Matsuyama,


Karina and Mana Ashida, Bunny Drop is completed and Japanese distributor Showgate is showing buyers trailers, clips and press materials at Cannes. International sales Fumiki Yamazaki/Aya Suzuki, Showgate yamazaki@showgate.jp, suzuki@showgate.jp


» May 2011 Screen International 15 ■


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