LOOKING BACK ON TOKYO INTL FILM FESTIVAL, 2011 ~THE YEAR OF THE QUAKE ~    by Alex Deleon Not to forget that this was the year of the Great March 11 Earthquake cum nuclear disaster and "Tsunami" Tidal Wave that washed away whole cities up north, the 24th Tokyo Intl Film festival was a somewhat restrained affair with the lingering effect of the disaster in evidence in various forms, toning down the overall climate of festivity. Right outside the entrance to the main towe...

~THE YEAR OF THE QUAKE ~by Alex DeleonNot to forget that this was the year of the Great March 11 Earthquake cum nuclear disaster and "Tsunami" Tidal Wave that washed away whole cities up north, the 24th Tokyo Intl Film festival was a somewhat restrained affair with the lingering effect of the disaster in evidence in various forms, toning down the overall climate of festivity. Right outside the entrance to the main tower housing the festival offices was a green collection booth where passers by w...

Tokyo Sakura Grand Prize, $50,000. for the Best Film in competition."Untouchables", France with DUO directors, Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, for their study of an improbable friendshipo that develops betweena white man in a wheelchair and his black care-taker. Special Jury Prize, $20,000"The Woodsman and the Rain", Japan, Dir. Shuichi Okita, (34) -- Another Improbable friendship tale, this time bertween a Japanese lumberjack and a clueless young director who cames to his neck of the woods to s...