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February 12, 2015
Feature: Holiday Movie Guide 2013-14 – New Year's Break Film Guide
Feature | This Winter's Must-See Films, 18 Titles Selected!
We've handpicked 18 must-see films for the winter holiday season. For those who usually say, 'I'm too busy, I only watch DVDs,' we hope you'll take this opportunity to visit a cinema!
Edited by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)
*All release dates are as of December 21, 2013.
The Last ClandestineNow Showing
The final moments of life arrive for everyone. What concerns us then might be how we end our lives. 'Shukatsu' (end-of-life planning) has become a hot topic in Japan in recent years. What does it mean to end one's life with dignity? Who truly owns a life? A mature French film has been born, one that sincerely confronts the approaching end.
RED 2Now Showing
The thrilling action-entertainment film 'RED' featuring a cast of stellar actors was a global box office hit, grossing over $200 million. Two years after the first installment, the legendary spy team 'RED' is back! This time, with even more powerful cast members joining, they deliver more unconventional action than ever before.
My Grandpa's HomecomingNow Showing
Hussein, who moved to Germany and worked tirelessly for 50 years, is now in his 70s and the grandfather of a large family. He suddenly decides to return to his native Turkish village, bringing his entire family along. Will their old van, carrying all their worries and hopes, make the journey?
Liv & Ingmar: A Love StoryNow Showing
Ingmar Bergman, Sweden's most celebrated film director, creator of masterpieces that remain in film history such as 'Cries and Whispers' and 'Autumn Sonata.' Throughout his career, Liv Ullmann was his constant partner, both personally and professionally. Their memories now transcend into true love.
The SessionsNow Showing
Mark has been paralyzed from the neck down since contracting polio at age six. He spends most of his days in a large respirator due to breathing difficulties. One day, he falls in love with his young and beautiful caregiver, Amanda. Encouraged by those around him, he decides to embark on losing his virginity at the age of 38.
The Best OfferNow Showing
The story begins with an appraisal request. The client is a charismatic appraiser with a genius eye for art. The request comes from a "faceless" woman, hiding in a secret room of a mansion. A superb mystery where one enigma leads to another. But this story holds more. A beautiful yet poignant tale of life unfolds.
GravityNow Showing
In the soundless, airless, and oxygen-less vacuum of space, an unforeseen accident occurs. Dr. Ryan Stone, who was conducting an extravehicular mission, is instantly cast adrift in space. Can she overcome this desperate ordeal and return safely?
The Bling RingNow Showing
A group of wayward teenagers broke into the homes of Hollywood celebrities, stealing valuables totaling an astonishing 300 million yen. Sofia Coppola brings to the screen the events that shook Hollywood. Dazzlingly bright, yet cruelly fleeting. It's a modern coming-of-age story, capturing the light and shadow of these young girls.
WadjdaNow Showing
From Saudi Arabia, a debut from the first female director makes a striking impression. In a country where women are forbidden to walk alone or drive, Wadjda faces the harsh realities of being a woman while striving to find her own path. Her courage will surely move everyone.
TitleNow Showing
Born in Aomori in 2007, Mirror's Quest. After debuting as a racehorse, he retired without a single win and was sent to Fukushima for meat production. However, he was deprived of water and food during the earthquake and suffered an injury to his genitals. Director Yuki Matsubayashi, moved by his plight, took up his camera to follow his fate.
Only Lovers Left AliveFrom December 20
Since his debut film 'Stranger Than Paradise' in 1984, director Jim Jarmusch has consistently portrayed outsiders. His new film, from the 'master of independent cinema' who continues to garner fervent support, features vampires as a new kind of outsider.
Cutie and the BoxerFrom December 21
The man who first sported a mohawk in Japan (!), Yuji Ueno Shinohara. An avant-garde artist based in New York since 1969. His wife, Noriko, is also an artist. Simultaneously, she is Ueno's secretary, manager, and chef. The camera follows the days of love and struggle of this unconventional couple.
Fire by LouboutinFrom December 21
In 2012, the legendary Parisian nightclub 'Crazy Horse,' which captivates so many, invited Christian Louboutin as its first-ever guest artist. The show, directed by him with music by David Lynch, caused a sensation worldwide. This legendary show is now revived as a film.
A Tale of Two SistersFrom December 21
Mugiko lives with her brother, aspiring to become a voice actress. One day, their mother, who abandoned them, suddenly reappears. Mugiko, bewildered, pushes her away coldly, but her mother passes away shortly after. This winter's most heartwarming drama, spun by star Maki Horikita and acclaimed director Keisuke Yoshida, is born.
A Flower in the MistFrom December 21
Hua, a young teacher from Beijing, has just arrived in Paris. In this unfamiliar city, she drifts between people, sharing intimacy with various men. One day, she meets Mathieu, a construction worker, and they fall instantly in love, intensely desiring each other. Both harboring secrets...
The Battle of the Glorious SeaFrom December 28
The Battle of Bussaco, where the Anglo-Portuguese army clashed to halt the French invasion of Portugal. Behind the scenes of this little-known conflict were the soldiers fighting on the front lines, the resilient women surviving, and the people caught in the vortex of war.
Dangerous LiaisonsFrom January 10
A masterpiece of French literature, published in 1782, is revived for modern times. Against the backdrop of Shanghai, a "magical city" where East meets West, with breathtakingly beautiful dresses and exquisite interiors, a game of love unfolds between men and women. What awaits at the end of their intertwined desires?
Adolf's FarewellFrom January 11
Germany during World War II has been the setting for numerous films. While many works have depicted persecuted Jews, the townspeople who saved them, and the fall of Nazi Germany, a new film emerges that tells the story of the "aftermath" for a Nazi official's family, a perspective rarely explored before.
One More Thing… Re-screening This Year's Masterpieces!
“Missed It!!! Film Showcase”
Uplink Shibuya, a mini-theater known for screening a diverse range of films, from high-quality productions to those that captivate even core cinephiles. This year's annual year-end and New Year's event, the 'Missed It!!! Film Showcase,' will be held from Saturday, December 28th to Friday, January 24th. Twenty-five films from 2013 will be shown in a special run.
