ACF 1478: Two-disc DVD release of Korean gambling drama TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS coming Sept 18th

Film distributor 5 Points Pictures has announced that the two-disc, special-edition DVD of TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS will be available on September 18, 2012. The release will feature an upgraded English translation of the film, plus approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes of translated and subtitled video extras from the South Korean limited-edition releases – all with on/off English subtitles!

This popular and critically acclaimed drama about master gamblers (“tazza”) and the games they play features direction from CHOI Dong-hoon (The Thieves, The Big Swindle, Woochi) and an all-star cast including CHO Seung-woo (The Sword With No Name, Marathon), KIM Hye-soo (The Thieves, Modern Boy), BAEK Yoon-sik (The Taste of Money, The Big Swindle), YOO Hae-jin (Moss, Public Enemy), and KIM Yun-seok (The Chaser, Punch).

 
Based on the comic illustrated by HUH Young-man and written by KIM Se-young, Tazza was produced by Sidus FNH and Charm Films. It is presented by CJ Entertainment and IM Pictures.  

Awards:
- Grand Prize (Daesang) and Best Director: Choi Dong-hoon, 2007 Baeksang Arts Award
- Best Actress: Kim Hye-soo, 2006 Blue Dragon Awards, 2006 Chunsa Film Art Awards, and 2007 Korea Visual Arts Festival

- Best Supporting Actor: Kim Yun-seok, 2007 Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Award
- Jury Awards for Best Feature, Best Director: Choi Dong-hoon, Best Actor: Cho Seung-woo, and Best Actress: Kim Hye-soo, 2007 Newport Beach Film Festival

- Jury Prize - Best Feature Film, 2007 Philadelphia Film Festival 

Synopsis: After losing his entire savings in an illegal, backroom card game, Goni (CHO Seung-woo, The Sword With No Name) discovers it was all a set up – he was swindled by professional gamblers. Enraged and desperate, he sets out to get his money back by any means necessary. 

Impressed by the young man’s determination, veteran gambler Mr. Pyeong (BAEK Yoon-sik, The Taste of Money) takes Goni on as his apprentice and teaches him all there is to know about hwatu, a card game also known as “The War of Flowers.” 

Now Goni is ready to make his debut in an underworld where the stakes are high and the rules are few: To win, you must be ruthless. The hand must be quicker than the eye. No game is safe. And there are no friends for life, just as there are no enemies for life.


Visit www.5pointspictures.com for more information about Tazza: The High Rollers, to sign up for 5 Points Pictures’ newsletter and press release lists, or to inquire about retail opportunities.

ACF 1477: VIZ Media panel discussion, fan meet-up, and video programming at FamiCon 2012, which starts today

RUROUNI KENSHIN © 1994 by Nobuhiro Watsuki/SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES PANEL DISCUSSION,

SHONEN JUMP ALPHA FAN MEET-UP,

AND ANIME VIDEO PROGRAMMING

SCHEDULED FOR FANIMECON 2012

Publisher Invites Fans To Northern California’s

Largest Annual Anime Convention

To Be Held This Weekend

VIZ Media has detailed its participation at FanimeCon 2012, which is scheduled to take place May 25-28 at the San Jose Convention Center, located in San Jose, CA. FanimeCon is Northern California’s largest annual anime convention. VIZ Media, the nation’s biggest publisher and distributor of manga and anime content, plans to hold an informative panel discussion as well as a fan meet-up for its popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA digital manga magazine. Details on FanimeCon 2012 are available at: www.fanime.com.

In addition, convention attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of video programming featuring episodes from some of VIZ Media most popular anime series such as BLEACH, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE, TIGER & BUNNY, and ZETMAN.

Fans and convention attendees are invited to learn insights and latest updates into the company’s manga and anime releases at the VIZ Media Panel, taking place Saturday May 26th from 3:00pm – 4:00pm in Panel Room 3. Attendees will also get opportunities to win exclusive prizes throughout the panel.

VIZ Media will also hold a special SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Fan Meet-Up on Saturday May 26th from 5:00pm – 6:00pm in Panel Room 1. Gift bags filled with a variety of fun collectables will be given away (while supplies last) and attendees can meet the SHONEN JUMP ALPHA staff and other WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA readers, and learn all about what the nation’s premier digital manga magazine has in-store for future issues. Fans who purchase memberships to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA at the meet-up will receive a special gift (while supplies last). 

Each new digital issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA treats manga (comics) fans in North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine. Currently featured series include popular titles such as BAKUMAN｡, BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE, and TORIKO.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA is available through an annual membership that provides 52 weeks of digital access to 48 weekly issues for just $25.99. Single issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA can be read for four weeks for only $0.99. Each issue may be read on VIZManga.com/sj-weekly, and also on the updated VIZ Manga App for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA members also receive an annual collector’s yearbook, 4 Yu-Gi-Oh! cards throughout the year delivered to your door, and access to exclusive content, including creator interviews and exclusive videos.

For more information on WEEKLY SJ ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit SJAlpha.com or VIZManga.com. 

ACF 1476: iN DEMAND to handle VOD transport for ANIME NETWORK

ANIME NETWORK SELECTS iN DEMAND TO HANDLE VOD TRANSPORT

Top Japanese Animation Service Added to iN DEMAND Portfolio

Anime Network, the most widely distributed anime channel in North America, has concluded a deal with iN DEMAND, the industry's leading distributor of transactional Video On Demand (VOD) as well as Pay-Per-View (PPV) content, to handle all transport of its popular service to its subscriber universe beginning on May 24, 2012, it was announced today by Bob Benya, President & CEO, iN DEMAND and Stacy Dodson, Executive Vice President, Anime Network. Anime Network joins the more than 40 programmers who currently use iN DEMAND to deliver their On Demand content to homes across North America.

"We're thrilled to partner with iN DEMAND to transport our programming throughout North America. We have the utmost confidence in their comprehensive technical expertise, bandwidth capacity and outstanding customer service in delivering content to our affiliates," said Anime Network's Ms. Dodson.

Anime Network reaches over 45 million North American homes through Subscription and Free On Demand. Catering to its highly desirable 15-30 male demographic, Anime Network provides a variety of content packages such as Comedy, Action and Sci-Fi, with new content refreshed each week. Popular titles include Angel Beats, Book of Bantorra, Broken Blade, Clannad, Elfen Lied and High School of the Dead.

"Anime Network holds a unique place among all television services because of its distinctive content and passionate following across a huge fan base," said Mr. Benya of iN DEMAND. "We are thrilled that Anime Network has chosen our state-of-the-art transport infrastructure to deliver their popular product to millions of followers."

ACF 1475: Happy Birthday, Seijun Suzuki, Happy Birthday To You!

Screenshot of Seijun Suzuki being interviewed in Tokyo
for the Criterion DVD release of Story of a Prostitute
(C) The Criterion Collection 2005

Seijun Suzuki was born in Tokyo, on May 24, 1923. Though best known in the U.S. as a film director, Suzuki has also worked as a television director and as an actor.

After serving in the Japanese army during World War II, Suzuki worked as an assistant director at several studios. He began working at Nikkatsu Studios in 1954 and directed his first film in 1958. From then through 1966 he directed three to four films each year. After Branded to Kill (his fortieth film, released in 1967), Hori Kyusaku, president of Nikkatsu Studios at the time, fired Suzuki, claiming he made incomprehensible movies that didn't make any money. These difficulties basically arose because of Suzuki's boredom with the same B-movie genre material he was assigned. He sought new ways to make the material interesting.

Suzuki filed suit and a lengthy legal battle ensued. It was ultimately settled out of court. Although he received less compensation than he sought, Suzuki did obtain an apology from Hori. Still he went through a lengthy period during which he was blacklisted by the film studios and had to work in television. In the late '70's, he was again able to make films. His Zigeunerweisen (1980) won 17 awards and was nominated for 6 others.

Suzuki as an actor. here in Milocrorze: A Love Story (2011)

For me the greatest recognition of his work is the inclusion of a great many of his films in The Criterion Collection. These include Youth of the Beast (1963), Story of a Prostitute (1965), Tokyo Drifter (1966), Branded to Kill (1967). Some of his other films, including Underworld Beauty (1958), Kanto Wanderer (1963), Tattooed Life (1965), and the aforementioned Zigeunerweisen are available from other distributors.

So, huge AsianCineFest thanks to Suzuki for producing a fabulous body of fascinating works, and best wishes for a "Happy Birthday!"

Seijun Suzuki at IMDb

Seijun Suzuki at Wikipedia

ACF 1474: THE WOMAN IN THE SEPTIC TANK begins run at MoMA

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank). 2011. Philippines. Directed by Marlon N. Rivera.

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank / The Woman in the Septic Tank
Directed by Marlon N. Rivera

With Eugene Domingo, JM deGuzman, Kean Cipriano

Phillipines, 2011, 87 minutes

When: May 23–28, 2012

Where: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, NYC
The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater (T2)

In Filipino, Tagalog; English subtitles

New York Premiere

This self-reflexive parody of contemporary Filipino art films and the international film festival circuit follows a trio of young filmmakers during pre-production on the film they hope will get them to Cannes. Its weeklong run in MoMA's ContemporAsian film series begins tonight.

Screening Schedule
Wednesday, May 23, 7:00
Thursday, May 24, 4:00
Friday, May 25, 7:00
Saturday, May 26, 1:30
Sunday, May 27, 5:00
Monday, May 28, 4:00

Film Admission:
$12 adults; $10 seniors, 65 years and over with I.D. $8 full-time students with current I.D. (for admittance to film programs only.) The price of a film ticket may be applied toward the price of a Museum admission ticket when a film ticket stub is presented at the Lobby Information Desk within 30 days of the date on the stub (does not apply during Target Free Friday Nights, 4:00–8:00 p.m.). Admission is free for Museum members and for Museum ticketholders.

ContemporAsian, MoMA’s annual showcase of Asian cinema, features weeklong engagements of films that capture the various styles, histories, and changes in contemporary Asian filmmaking. This series includes recent independent gems by both new and established filmmakers whose work represent the rapidly transforming visual culture of the region. This exhibition is organized by Jytte Jensen, Curator, and Jenny He, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Film.