The other TIFF - the Tokyo International Film Festival begins to announce Japanese line-up

by Chris MaGee

Toronto is currently being gripped by TIFF fever with the Toronto International Film Festival kicking off in the city yesterday; b ut there is another TIFF on the horizon for Japanese film fans, namely the Tokyo International Film Festival. The 23rd offering of the fest will be running in the Japanese capital from October 23rd to October 31st and to kick the buzz off its organizers are beginning to announce the first of its Japanese film line-up.

So far six films have been officially announced: Takashi Takahata's "The Singing Hitman" (above) starring Masao Kusakari, Yoka Wao and Kurodo Maki, Keita Amemiya's animated "Garo: Red Requiem" with voice talent provided by Ryosei Konishi, Mary Matsuyama and Yousuke Saitou, Yoshihiro Fukagawa's screen adaptation of Keigo Higashino's novel "Byakuyako" starring Maki Horikita, Kengo Kora and Eiichiro Funakoshi, Junji Sakamoto's take on Tatsuo Shimizu's mystery novel "Strangers in the City" starring Toru Nakamura, Manami Konishi and Nao Minamisawa, and Yoshimitsu Morita's period samurai drama "The Abacus and The Sword" starring Masato Sakai and Yukie Nakama. Rounding out the six titles announced is the feel good film "Swing Me Again" directed by Toshi Shioya about an elderly group of jazz musicians who decide to reform their band. You can check out its trailer below.

The full line-up of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival will be announced by the end of this month. Until then you can keep check the Tokyo IFF website for updates.