Tokyo Announces Line-Up

By Liza ForemanThe 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced another eight films for the competition section.The films in the competition section will be competing for six awards, including the prestigious “Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix.” The winners will be announced at the festival's Closing Ceremony on October 31st.The Competition So Far -“Beautiful Boy” - U.S.ADirectors: Shawn KuA shooting massacres in a college. Parents fear their son's safety, but the news they receive is beyond all imagination. A deeply touching film that questions the way of the family, as the parents undergo extreme anguish. Starring Michael Sheen of The Queen and Frost/Nixon.“Brighton Rock” - U.K.Director: Rowan JoffeA film adaptation of the masterpiece by Graham Greene. Set in the southern English resort of Brighton, it centers around a false relationship of a delinquent boy and an innocent girl, portraying love and betrayal. Note Sam Riley's performance, who left a vivid impression in Control.“Flamingo No.13” - IranDirector: Hamid Reza AligholianSet in a small mountain village in Iran, where the villagers live quietly in the majestic landscape of nature. A man obsessed with illegal flamingo hunting, the woman he loves, and another man who envies their love. The director's first work portrays the allegorical triangular relationship through surreal, beautiful imagery.“If the Seed Doesn't Die” - Romania=Serbia=AustriaDirector: Sinisa DraginThe story of two fathers that cross over in chaotic Eastern Europe. In search of their son and daughter, their journeys meet as they encounter the legend of a 200 year old church. At the end of their travel is a breathtaking final scene―irreplaceable in any other representation but image, so sublime.“The Invisible Eye” - Argentina=France=SpainDirector: Diego LermanTowards the end of military dictatorship in 1982, Argentina. A female teacher at a strict elitist school gets caught between discipline and desire. Her state of mind is skillfully intertwined with social conditions using spatial images and sensitive psychological descriptions.“Intimate Grammar” - IsraelDirector: Nir Bergman1963 in Israel at a moment of peace. This is the story of Aaron, a boy who has stopped growing up a few years before. Is it to rebel against his loveless family or the times? This film depicts the adolescent mind allegorically and comically.“Sarah's Key” - FranceDirector: Gilles Paquet-BrennerSet in Paris, 1942―a time of intensifying oppression on the Jewish. Sarah hides her little brother in a cupboard before being sent to a camp with the keys in her hand. Based on an emotionally moving bestseller, flashbacks uncover tragic moments of history in this film.“Primary!” - SpainDirector: Ivan NoelA newly appointed art teacher portrays the children as they open up to painting in this joyful film. A lively documentary-like depiction by realistic class room sessions and faculty meetings. The children's marvelous expressions top it all. Competition Titles Previously Announced -  “And Peace on Earth” Directors: Matteo Botrugno, Daniele Coluccini - Italy“Beautiful Boy”　 Directors: Shawn Ku - U.S.A“Brighton Rock” Director: Rowan Joffe - U.K.“Flamingo No.13” Director: Hamid Reza Aligholian - Iran“If the Seed Doesn't Die” Director: Sinisa Dragin - Romania=Serbia=Austria“Intimate Grammar” Director: Nir Bergman ? Israel“The Invisible Eye” Director: Diego Lerman - Argentina=France=Spain“The Piano in a Factory” Director: Zhang Meng ? China“Primary!” Director: Ivan Noel ? Spain“Sarah's Key” Director: Gilles Paquet-Brenner ? France“Sketches of Kaitan City” Director: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri - Japan“Zephyr” Director: Belma Bas - Turkey