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January 28, 2015
Feature: Summer Movie Guide 2014
24 Handpicked Titles, Not a Single Miss!
Feature | Summer Movie Guide 2014
This summer brings another wave of must-see films. From this selection, OPENERS has handpicked 24 titles for you. Why not say goodbye to the scorching sun and embark on a two-hour "virtual trip" to the cinema?
Edited by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)
*All release dates are as of August 4, 2014.
The DoubleNow Showing
Two WindowsNow Showing
This film, based on the novel by Portuguese Nobel laureate José Saramago, is directed by Denis Villeneuve, a rising talent from Canada. It's a mystery that deepens with the question: "One day, I suddenly discover a man who looks exactly like me." We invite you to unravel the mystery in the theater.
Director Naomi Kawase, who made history by winning the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival at the youngest age in 1997, chose Amami Oshima island for her latest work. Here, nature thrives and the divine coexists with humanity. The film captures, in its entirety, the life that exists, unseen yet palpable, in its moments of brilliance.
Cheburashka and the FishermanNow Showing
Sunshine on LeithNow Showing
Cheburashka, a slightly clumsy and mischievous girl, lives on the island of Kujira, a summer resort in Sweden. One day, she is overjoyed to receive a baby seal from a fisherman, but her beloved dog, Fisherman, seems lonely. A few days later, a major incident unfolds over this seal.
The production staff behind "Trainspotting" brings this hit British musical to the screen. Set in the Scottish countryside town of Leith, the film depicts the lives of people striving to believe in tomorrow, even when faced with life's hardships, set to the beloved songs of the national band, The Proclaimers.
The LunchboxNow Showing
IdaNow Showing
Paul, unable to speak since the shock of losing his parents in childhood, finds a heartwarming story as he uncovers his true past from the depths of his memory and opens the door to a new life. Immerse yourself in the colorful and poignant esprit that only French cinema can offer.
Born in the late 1950s, a period that saw the rise of the "Polish School" of filmmaking. Director Paweł Pawlikowski, who left Poland at 14 and has since made films across Europe, created this work in his beloved homeland for the first time. It depicts the growth of a young girl through minimalist visuals.
The LunchboxFrom Aug 9
Our Sunhi, Nobody's Daughter HaewonFrom Aug 16
The tiffin delivery system is widely used in India. The chance of a mistaken delivery is an incredibly rare 1 in 6 million. This film depicts two lonely individuals who meet through such a chance misdelivery. It became an exceptional hit not only in India but also across the US and Europe.
Director Hong Sang-soo, known as "The Godard of Korea" for his unique cinematic world, presents two films: "Our Sunhi," featuring Jane Birkin who expressed a strong desire to work with him, and "Nobody's Daughter Haewon," which won the Best Director award at the Locarno International Film Festival. Both will be released simultaneously.
The Great BeautyFrom Aug 16
Queen of VersaillesFrom Aug 16
The GRA, a roughly 70-kilometer ring road encircling Rome, serves as the city's main artery. This film lyrically, and at times humorously, portrays the lives of nameless people living diligently around it. While a documentary, it transcends its genre with its ambitious scope.
The dream of the Siegel couple, who rose to become billionaires from nothing: to build the largest house in America. The total cost for the mansion, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, was a staggering 10 billion yen. This documentary follows the American dream and its subsequent downfall.
Promised LandFrom Aug 22
Barfi!From Aug 22
A man on a smooth, elite career path is suddenly confronted with the question of "what is the right way to live" in an unfamiliar town. This film is by the team of Matt Damon and Gus Van Sant. Against the backdrop of social issues facing America, it depicts a turning point in the man's life.
Barfi, a kind-hearted young man with a hearing impairment, communicates his rich emotions solely through his gaze, gestures, and expressions. This is a poignant and refreshingly bittersweet tale of his encounters and partings with two women who secretly admire him. What will be the outcome for Barfi and the two women who have found true love?
Classroom in RomeFrom Aug 23
The Great BeautyFrom Aug 23
A composed female principal, an enthusiastic rookie teacher, and a cynical veteran teacher. These three individuals, with vastly different approaches, are assigned to teach students facing various challenges at a public high school in Rome. Through their interactions with the students, they learn and teach, gradually discovering the profound depths of education.
Jep, who resides in Rome, is something of a local celebrity. Even as he approaches old age, he continues to attend parties almost every night. One day, upon hearing of the death of his first love, he decides to resume his writing career, which he had put on hold. What realization does this man, who seemingly had it all, come to at this crossroads in his life?
The FinishersFrom Aug 29
The PrayerFrom Aug 29
A wheelchair-bound boy and his father decide to take on the seemingly impossible challenge of the Ironman race, the pinnacle of triathlons. 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.195 km run. It's a grueling race even for seasoned athletes, but the two have a compelling reason to finish.
To save her struggling family, a woman transports a package to France, unaware that it contains drugs. Suddenly arrested in a foreign land where she cannot speak the language, she is sent to a prison in Martinique without a chance to explain. The truth behind the incident that shocked all of Korea is now revealed.
LucyFrom Aug 29
Little ForestFrom Aug 30
Director Luc Besson, known for portraying fragile yet powerful female characters in films like "Léon" and "Nikita," has created a new heroine. With a theme distinct from his previous works – "What if the 10% of the human brain that functions is awakened?" – he delivers a superb entertainment piece that confronts the fundamental mysteries of humanity.
Based on the popular manga by Daisuke Igarashi. To live is to eat. And to eat is to make. The protagonist finds her way of life amidst a simple existence where everything is connected. Pay attention to the meticulously recreated dishes by the "eatrip" team led by Yuri Nomura.
NOFrom Aug 30
Stories We TellFrom Aug 30
Chile, 1988. Amidst growing opposition to the long-standing military dictatorship, a plebiscite is to be held. Leading up to the election, both the pro-government "YES" and the opposition "NO" camps engage in a major television advertising battle, not a policy debate, lasting 15 minutes each day. Can advertising truly change society?
Diane Polley was as bright as the sun. Though she occasionally caused trouble, she was a good mother while pursuing her acting career. When she passed away at a young age, her youngest daughter, Sarah, was only 11. As her image gradually faded, Sarah began to search for her mother's life.
Stray DogsFrom Sep 6
Yves Saint LaurentFrom Sep 5
In 2013, Tsai Ming-liang suddenly announced his retirement at the Venice Film Festival. This film, his final feature, can be considered his magnum opus. Father and son. The camera follows them as they drift like a "picnic" in a corner of Taipei. Witness this masterpiece that pursues digital beauty with your own eyes.
Yves Saint Laurent, the founder of a high fashion brand supported for over half a century and a legendary fashion designer. Born into a middle-class family with little connection to elegance, how did he build his brilliant career? This film depicts his little-known days of applause and solitude.
So YoungFrom Sep 13
Frances HaFrom Sep 13
The thrill of first love and the sweet taste of a first kiss. Because we were young, we could be reckless. Because we were young, we could be impulsive. Those days of youth, filled with a radiance that makes even the sadness nostalgic. Director Vicky Zhao, in her debut film, has crafted a quality first-love movie.
Frances shares an apartment with her best friend and enjoys her days. She dreams of becoming a successful dancer, but things aren't going as planned. Her cohabitation with her best friend ends, and she finds herself drifting, searching for her place. Her clumsy, haphazard, yet charming demeanor is something everyone can relate to.























