Japanese film fans, it’s time to celebrate! One of the major titles in my preview of Asian films getting released in the UK is about to get its official release! Third Window Films release The Foreign Duck, The Native Duck & God in a Coin Locker next week Monday which just happens to be a great way to start the year! Despite my scepticism over the title I found myself enraptured in a film that is deceptively simple and light hearted and full of great performances. I think this may remain in my Top Ten Films for the rest of the year! Expect a review on Wednesday!
Here are the details:
The Foreign Duck, The Native Duck & God in a Coin Locker
Dir: Yoshihiro Nakamura (Fish Story, Golden Slumber)
Starring: Eita (Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai, Memories of Matsuko)
Gaku Hamada (Fish Story, Space Brothers)
Ryuhei Matsuda (Nightmare Detective, Blue Spring, Gohatto)
Japan / 2007 / 110 Mins / In Japanese with English subtitles / Colour / 35mm / Cert 15
Out on DVD January 11th, 2013
DVD Special Features:
35 minute ‘Making Of’, Deleted Scenes, Theatrical Trailer
Moving into his new apartment in Sendai, college student Shiina (Gaku Hamada) meets his new neighbor Kawasaki (Eita). Tall, confident Kawasaki and short, mild-mannered Shiina seem to be unlikely candidates for friendship, but they have a mutual interest in Bob Dylan.
Kawasaki is an odd duck, but in an irresistibly cool and charming kind of way, and Shiina can’t help but be drawn into his more exciting, if slightly loony world. Kawasaki’s head is full of unpredictable ideas, like his absurd warnings about pet shop owner Reiko (Nene Otsuka) or his even more absurd plan to steal a dictionary for their Bhutanese neighbor. Next thing Shiina knows, he’s standing watch with a toy gun outside the bookstore, on the beginning of their bizarre, existential adventure…
Genkinahito 