Let us jump into the scroll bar time machine and take a loving look back at all of the deranged, beautiful, hilarious, terrifying and outrageous entries we've seen from Japan!
1998
Programmer Noah Cowan rings in the first year of Midnight Madness, there were no films from Japan. This would soon change.
Programmer Noah Cowan rings in the first year of Midnight Madness, there were no films from Japan. This would soon change.
1989
This is an insanely great choice for a first Japanese movie! I still haven't seen this one, but boy have I heard about it.
This is an insanely great choice for a first Japanese movie! I still haven't seen this one, but boy have I heard about it.
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| Found a rare above the waist shot of the multi-endowed demon! Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Over-Fiend (1989) |
Dir. Hideki Takayami
1990
One of my favourite films ever, premieres at Midnight Madness. A visually explosive master class of what can be accomplished with a camera and a guerrilla spirit!
One of my favourite films ever, premieres at Midnight Madness. A visually explosive master class of what can be accomplished with a camera and a guerrilla spirit!
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| Tetsuo fully transformed! Tetsuo The Iron Man (1990) |
Dir. Shinya Tsukamoto
1991
Japanese films: none. Things would more than balance out in the future!
Japanese films: none. Things would more than balance out in the future!
1992
Doubled down; back in business.
Doubled down; back in business.
Dir. Shinya Tsukamoto
Dir. Ryu Murakami
1993
5. Wicked City
Dir. Yoshiaki Kawajiri
1994
6. Tokarev
Dir. Junji Sakamoto
1995
BIG year for Japanese films (including two international co-productions), with FIVE entries.
BIG year for Japanese films (including two international co-productions), with FIVE entries.
7. Screamers (USA/Canada/Japan)
Dir. Christian Duguay
8. Crying Freeman (USA/Canada/France/Japan)
Dir. Chrisophe Gans
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| Tokyo Fist left a giant pulsing hematoma on my heart... filled with love! Tokyo Fist (1995) |
9. Toyko Fist
Dir. Shinya Tsukamoto
Dir. Shusuke Kaneko
Dir. Shimako Sato
1996
12. Organ
Dir. Kei Fujiwara
Dir. Shusuke Kaneko
1997
Of note: Colin Geddes take the stage for the first time, with Noah Cowan.
Of note: Colin Geddes take the stage for the first time, with Noah Cowan.
Dir. Takashi Miike
1998
No Japanese films this year, but Colin Geddes is appointed the sole maestro of midnight. The future of Japan films at TIFF is BIG.
No Japanese films this year, but Colin Geddes is appointed the sole maestro of midnight. The future of Japan films at TIFF is BIG.
1999
Literally his first solo programmed Japanese film is a giant monster movie!
Literally his first solo programmed Japanese film is a giant monster movie!
Dir. Shusuke Kaneko
2000
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| What's the matter... Chicken? Sorry. Matrix style Chicken fight tho! City of Lost Souls (2000) |
Dir. Takashi Miike
17. Wild Zero
Dir. Tetsuro Takeuchi
2001
This blogger's first actual midnight madness, at the uptown. Changed my life forever!
This blogger's first actual midnight madness, at the uptown. Changed my life forever!
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| The ICON of horror started here! Ichi The Killer (2001) |
18. Ichi the Killer
Dir. Takashi Miike
19. Clip Cult(Music Video Compilation)
Directed as Sogo Ishii (since changed his name)
21. Versus
Dir. Ryuhei Kitamura
* there is talk now, FINALLY of a sequel to this wonderful action packed film, re-teaming director Kitamura with Versus leading man Tak Sakaguchi, for a fifth time)
* there is talk now, FINALLY of a sequel to this wonderful action packed film, re-teaming director Kitamura with Versus leading man Tak Sakaguchi, for a fifth time)
2002
22. Alive
Dir. Ryuhei Kitamura
2003 A very creepy year! Ju-On would have a lasting effect on the GHOST genre. Gozo would have a lasting effect on the way I think about milk.
Dir. Takashi Shimizu
24. Gozu
Dir. Takashi Miike
2004
Dir. Mamoru Oshii
26. Zebraman
Dir. Takashi Miike
2005
Dir. Takashi Miike
2006
28. Trapped Ashes (USA Japan Canada)
Friday the 13th (1980) Director Sean Cunningham's segment "Jibaku" was shot in Japan, featured many Japanese actors, and followed Japanese mythology.
2007
29. Vexille
Dir. Fumihiko Sori
31. Dainipponjin
Dir. Hitoshi Matsumoto (Matchan)
2008
Dir. Toshio Lee
2009
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| Matchan's sophomore visit to MM, Colin kept the Pyjamas! Symbol (2009) |
33. Symbol
Dir. Hitoshi Matsumoto
2010 - special mention... no films of Japanese origin, however:
Note: Featured Japanese music and acting sensation GACKT in his first Hollywood role. It would be crazy not to mention this! And he even made it over for the screening, much to the delight of his legion of adoring fans!
2011
35. Smuggler
Dir. Katsuhito Ishii
2012 - None. Wait -- though, what's this? Japanese director, and Midnight Madness Alumni Ryuhei Kitamura's second Hollywood feature film joins the line up!
36. No One Lives (USA)
Dir. Ryuhei Kitamura
2013 - YES! The exciting part about this, is it hasn't happened yet! This is an actual timeline moment you can still jump off of and enjoy in reality!
Dir.: Hitoshi Matsumoto
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| Best way to finish your film: Yakuza investors. Just scary when they come for their "cut". Why Don't You Play in Hell (2013) |
Dir. Sono Sion
So there you have it! The future looks good - and the future is now! Be sure to catch both R100 and Why Don't You Play in Hell!
R100 Screening Times:
Thursday, Sept 12th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Friday, Sept 13th, 11:30 AM SCOTIABANK 9
Saturday, Sept 14th, 9:00 PM SCOTIABANK 10
WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL Screening Times:
Friday, Sept 13th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Saturday, Sept 14th, 3:45 PM SCOTIABANK 1
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