Several Japanese films have received offers for foreign distribution at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, including the latest movie starring young Yagira Yuya (photo, 15), who took the festival by surprise last year by becoming the youngest ever Best Actor award winner for his role in “Dare mo Shiranai” (Nobody Knows). In “Hoshi ni Natta Shonen” (Little Randy and Shining Boy) he takes on the real-life role of Sakamoto Tetsumu, who went to Thailand to become an elephant trainer. After returning to build an elephant park in Japan, he was killed in a traffic accident at the age of 20. The movie is based on a book by Sakamoto’s mother. With a music score by Academy Award-winning composer Sakamoto Ryuichi, there is already talk of an Oscar nomination for Yagira. Another film receiving offers from more than a dozen countries is “Ima Ai ni Yukimasu” which stars kabuki actor Nakamura Shido (32) and Takeuchi Yuko (25), who announced their wedding engagement just this month.
• It was revealed yesterday that talento and former NTV announcer Uozumi Rie (33) and Mori Keisuke (26), currently with the network, have divorced. The couple married on New Year’s Day 2004, eight months after they started working together on an afternoon show. Uozumi quit NTV last April and went freelance, working in radio, narration and TV commercials. Mori is in his fifth year at NTV, considered to be the hardest time.
• Kabuki actor Matsumoto Koshiro (62) has been recognized by the province of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain for his more than 1,000 performances over 36 years as Don Quixote in the stage musical “The Man from La Mancha.” Matsumoto was handed the award by his daughter, actress Matsu Takako (27), who is also currently appearing in the show in Nagoya. Koshiro will give his 2,000 performance at the Imperial Theater in Tokyo in June.