Japanese Film

Japanese Film Headlines

Haruki Murakami's "Norwegian Wood" Launched in the U.S.
"Norwegian Wood," the new film by Tran Anh Hung (Academy Award nominee for SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA), based on the internationally acclaimed and bestselling novel by Haruki Murakami that sold over 10 million copies in Japan, will finally be available at select U.S theaters starting in January 2012. The film features Oscar nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (BABEL) and rising Japanese star Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY) and a score written by Jonny Greenwood (RADIOHEAD).

Set in the late 1960s Tokyo, amidst a time of global instability "Norwegian Wood" is a moving story of loss and sexuality. Watanabe (Kenichi Matsuyama) looks back on his days as a freshman university student living in Tokyo. Through his reminiscences, we see him develop relationships with two very different women, the beautiful yet emotionally troubled Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi), and the outgoing, lively Midori (Kiko Mizuhara).

Originally published in 1987, the novel has since been translated into 33 languages and published in 36 countries. Murakami's highly anticipated new novel, 1Q84, was just recently released. The book Norwegian Wood will be reissued in January as will the soundtrack.

Norwegian Wood opens in the following U.S. theatres below:
January 6, 2012
IFC Centre, New York
West End Cinema, Washington DC
January 20, 2012
Music Box Theatre, Chicago
January 27, 2012
SIFF Cinema at the Uptown, Seattle
Laemmle Music Hall, Los Angeles
For more information: Official Norwegian Wood Site

What is Japanese Film?

By Michael Chang
Growing up and having been educated in China, Japan and various parts of Asia, my earliest memory of Japanese film and animation was when they were shown on television in various parts of Asia. My favorite shows were... read more >

Japanese Film Market Information

Download our market report and learn about the Japanese Film industry. This report is packed with information ranging from the market size of movies in Japan and statistics on exports, to an in-depth explanation of the Film industry business model.
> Download PDF Report (2009)
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Japanese Film Lineups

Watch trailers and get connected with Japanese film sellers from the events below! Start now and claim your next film project before it's too late!

• Marche du Film (Cannes) 2013
• AFM 2012
• Marche du Film (Cannes) 2012
• Hong Kong Filmart 2012
• AFM 2011