MOVIE | Win a Chance to Attend the Premiere Screening of Takashi Murakami's Directorial Debut, 'Jellyfish Eyes'!
MOVIE | Takashi Murakami's Directorial Debut
A Sci-Fi Fantasy Born from a Fusion of Live-Action and CG Animation
Set for Release on Friday, April 26, 2013! "Mememe no Kurage"
The release date for "Mememe no Kurage," the directorial debut film by Takashi Murakami, the contemporary artist recognized globally as a leading figure in Japanese art, has been set for Friday, April 26. The film will premiere at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills and subsequently open nationwide. In anticipation, OPENERS is offering an exclusive invitation to the premiere screening on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 PM, which will feature appearances by director Takashi Murakami and actor Takumi Saitoh, among others. Five pairs (10 individuals) will be selected.
Text by Morito IWANAGA (OPENERS)
An Ambitious Work Presented with Grand Scale and Vision
Takashi Murakami, a contemporary artist of global renown, has garnered attention for his solo exhibition at the Palace of Versailles and his collaboration with Louis Vuitton. His first film, "Mememe no Kurage," is based on a concept for a full CG animation project he had been nurturing. The film unfolds a fantastical narrative set in post-earthquake Japan.
Masashi (Takuto Sueoka), a primary school student and the protagonist, discovers an unfamiliar cardboard box in his new home. Inside, he finds a peculiar, jellyfish-like creature. He names the endearing being "Kurage-bo" and they soon form a bond. Upon arriving at his new school with Kurage-bo in his backpack, Masashi notices that other students also have unseen, mysterious beings called "Furendo." Who created them, and for what purpose? And what exactly are these "Furendo"?—.
Regarding this work, Murakami stated, "I was captivated in my childhood by special effects films like Godzilla and Ultraman. Later, as an adult, I became fascinated by the worlds of Star Wars, Spielberg, and Hayao Miyazaki. This film is a new kind of sci-fi fantasy that blends those elements with the current chaos of Japan."
The film, a fusion of live-action and CG, features approximately 900 CG shots alone. With production already underway for the sequel, "Mememe no Kurage 2," the team's strong commitment is evident. What will Takashi Murakami reveal in his directorial debut? We eagerly await the day we can experience it on screen.
Win an Invitation to the "Mememe no Kurage" Premiere Screening for 5 Pairs (10 People)!
Date | Thursday, April 18
Time | Screening starts at 6:30 PM (expected to end around 8:30 PM)
Guests | Director Takashi Murakami, Takuto Sueoka (child actor), Hika Asami (child actor), Takumi Saitoh
Venue | TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills
6-10-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Within Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Complex)
Application Deadline | Monday, April 8, 10:00 AM
Applications are now closed.
Thank you for your many applications.
*Winners will be notified via email. Winners must reply to the email, keeping the subject line intact and including all necessary information. Please note that failure to reply by the deadline will result in forfeiture.
"Mememe no Kurage"
Friday, April 26, 2013, at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills and other locations
Nationwide release
Original Story, Direction, Character Design | Takashi Murakami
Starring | Takuto Sueoka, Hika Asami, Masataka Kubota, Shota Sometani, Asuka Kurosawa, Kanji Tsuda, Mayu Tsuruta, Takumi Saitoh
Distribution | Gaga Corporation
Production | Kaikai Kiki
2013 / Japan / 100 minutes
http://mememe.gaga.ne.jp/
©Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.