Movie sequel “Death Note – The Last Name” had its world premiere in Hong Kong yesterday. Stars Fujiwara Tatsuya (24), Matsuyama Kenichi (21) and Toda Erika (18) were all there to meet some 20,000 fans who held up red apples and lollipops, mimicing a theme from the movie. The young actors were overwhelmed with the huge turnout and enthusiasm of the fans. The first Death Note made over ¥2.8 billion at home during the summer and is also the most successful ever Japanese movie in Hong Kong. It has attracted the attention of dozens of companies, including Hollywood studios, interested in doing a remake. But Fujiwara doesn’t seem too happy with the talk about a Hollywood version of the series, saying he’d rather see the original appear on screens worldwide, conceding only “If they have to do a remake, they could at least do it with the same cast.” Fans in Japan and Hong Kong can look forward to the opening on November 3, with screenings also set for several other Asian countries. Read our Feature Article on Death Note.
• Comedy was the order of the day as the 19th Tokyo International Film Festival came to a close yesterday. The festival’s main competition prize, the Sakura Grand Prix, went to French movie “OSS 117 Cairo Nest of Spies”. Directed by Michel Hazanavicius, it is described on the festival’s website as a “comedy masterpiece with a delightful womanizing spy.” U.S. art house comedy “Little Miss Sunshine” won two jury awards as well as the Audience Award. The final screening was a new version of local 1976 hit movie “Inugamike no Ichizoku”, remade with the same lead actor and director. Ishizaka Koji (65) revived his role as Yokomizo Seishi’s famous detective creation Kindaichi Kosuke, and veteran director Ichikawa Kon (90) was behind the camera once more. Also walking the red carpet last night were actresses Matsushima Nanako (33) and Fukuda Kyoko (23). Subtitles for last night’s screening were only completed the day before.
• The recent Japan Series-clinching game had an amazing peak audience rating of 73.5% in Sapporo. Even the average rating for the baseball broadcast was a whopping 52.5%, as the local Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters won their first ever title. The peak rating came as series MVP Inaba Atsunori (34) gave his “hero interview” at 9:40pm. The game was also the last for fellow outfielder Shinjo Tsuyoshi (34), whose broad appeal to fans of all ages boosted ratings across the country. The game had a rating of 31.4% in Nagoya, home of the defeated Chunichi Dragons.