Hawaiian-born Japanese singer melody (24) has landed a role in the new version of EA’s best-selling street racing game “Need For Speed: Carbon”. Having only made her breakthrough with last year’s hit “Realize”, she will be receiving huge exposure through a game franchise that already has sales of over 38 million in 75 countries worldwide. The fourth release in the series is due to go on sale in November, and in Japan in December. Melody is one of the “electro” artists that are included in the game’s soundtrack to accompany the so-called Japanese Tuner Cars, but will also have a voice role. meanwhile, the Exotic Cars rev to the tunes of artists like hip hop star Pharell and Roots Manuva from the UK’s “grime” scene. And Muscle Cars, needless to say, perform best when the music is loud and heavy, from bands like Eagles of Death Metal and Wolfmother.
• The 19th Tokyo International Film Festival is without a head judge. Academy Award and Palme D’Or-winning French director Claude Lelouch (68) has pulled out just a month before the festival is due to open, citing a schedule overrun on his latest movie project. Festival chairman Kadokawa Tsuguhiko (63) announced yesterday that about 95% of the event’s lineup has been finalized, but the news of Lelouch’s withdrawal drew the most media attention. The Tokyo Fest has been gradually building up its reputation as one of the top dozen or so events of its kind in the world. So the news comes as a big blow, though other major events have overcome such difficulties. Hollywood actress Jodie Foster withdrew as head judge of the Cannes Festival in 2001, also due to a conflict with her filming schedule.
• Madonna (48) paid a visit to the Louis Vuitton store in Tokyo’s swish Roppongi Hills yesterday. The store is holding an exhibition of photos and video featuring the Queen of Pop, who finishes her worldwide Confessions Tour this week in the capital. She was with Steven Klein, the photographer who created the opening video sequence for her current live show, and smiled and waved for the 300 or so fans who had gathered to get a glimpse. She stayed for about thirty minutes and even bought herself a pair of sunglasses and a black leather jacket. Also visiting the exhibition yesterday were local musicians Aikawa Nanase and rapper Verbal. Madonna’s final shows are at Tokyo Dome tomorrow and Friday, while the exhibition will run until October 2.