Being the avid Akira fan that I am, I was intrigued by the release of a limited edition leather jacket fashioned after the one worn by Kaneda in the film as well as a number of collectible pins. I’m pretty sure the coat would look diabolical on me but that doesn’t stop me from thinking it’s kinda cool.

Notice the plural in the title, I’m a huge fan of World Cinema, particularly Japanese and Korean (as evident in my last post). However something needs to be about the cluster-bomb of film festivals and seasons during October and November.

First there was the BFI London Film Festival featuring a number of Japanese films. This is then overlapped with both Zipangu Fest and New Japanese Cinema at the Barbican.

There’s only so much time one can dedicate themselves to such activities so I hate to complain about the number and quality of film festivals in the capital but I ask perhaps they share their Google Calendars to avoid the general compression of films that we’re seeing this year.

This years Korean Film Festival has already started so I’m sorry that I haven’t posted about it earlier but better late than never, eh? It seems that the festival has spread its reach this year to Cambridge, Sheffield and Newcastle so don’t fret that you don’t live in the capital you might still be able to enjoy the event. Visit the official website for all the relevant details.

I came across this short film on Time Out Tokyo which tells the tale of post-nuclear commute. You can read about the background to the project on the same article and see the Kick Starter page here.

One of the films playing at this years Cannes Film Festival is Melancholia by Lars Von Trier, a director known for his notorious antics. My excitement mostly stems from the fact that it features Kirsten Dunst and if you watch the trailer she also happens to be nekkid. Good times!

I’m constantly delighted by the sheer number and quality of film festivals available to me as a citizen of the city of London. May brings to our steps the Terracotta Far East Film Festival from 5th until the 8th at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square.

The list of films showing include; The Lost Bladesman, Hotel Black Cat, The Tiger Factory, Revenge: A Love Story, Man Of Vendetta, Helldriver,
Pretty Romance, Choy Lee Fut,Yakuza Weapon, Childs Eye, Red Light Revolution, Karate Girl, Gallants and Milocrorze, A Love Story.

Let me know if you’re planning to attend any of the screenings!

I’m really impressed by the work of Hiroyasu Ishida, a Kyoto Seika University student who produced a short film as part of his work called Rain Town.

He’d previously found success with a much shorter piece Fumiko’s Confession. He’s clearly very talented and I look forward to seeing what else he comes up with in the future.

I finished reading Scott Pilgrim a while ago, having picked it up after first seeing the trailer for the film and wondering what it was all about. I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed the collection with it’s themes of love, video games and pop culture and it’s hilarious. I wasn’t overly fond of the adaption for the big screen but in case you missed it, you can now pick up this stunning box set of Scott Pilgrim which I do suggest you pick up!

With the big screen release of Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami imminent, it was with great delight to discover a further adaptation of his work is also waiting in the wings. The Second Bakery attack, taken from the short story collection The Elephant Vanishes is directed by Carlos Cauron whose most well known for his film Y Tu Mamá También.

Already excited by the calibre of the director I was even more excited to learn that it features my personal favourite Kirsten Dunst! You can find out a little more on IndieWIRE but I for one, can’t wait for this to surface somewhere!

As a fan of world cinema, London offers a veritable feast of film festivals. The London Korean Film Festival is one of many celebrating contemporary works from South Korea. I’ve written before about how Korean cinema is often cited as the most exciting and interesting currently on the world stage and I’m eagerly awaiting it.

The Man From Nowhere

Some of the highlights from the festival include The Man From Nowhere by Lee Jeong-Beom which is showing on Friday, November 5th at the Odeon Leicestersquare.

I Saw The Devil

I Saw The Devil by Kim Jee-Woon which will be shown on Saturday November 6th again at the Odeon Leicestersquare.

The Housemaid

Finally, The Housemaid by Im Sang-Soo which is showing at the ICA on Sunday, November 14th. If you have a passing interest in cinema, I think it might be worth trying to attend one of the many screenings over the course of the festival.