New Show Dates for The Taste of Tea
VIZ PICTURES ANNOUNCES RARE NORTH AMERICAN SCREENINGS OF THE TASTE OF
TEA
Critically Acclaimed And Award Winning Film Is A Heartwarming Homage To
Japanese Family Life
San Francisco, CA, February 16, 2006 – Viz Pictures, an affiliate of
Viz Media LLC, the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and
comics that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has
announced a series of special North American theatrical screenings of the
critically acclaimed and award winning film, THE TASTE OF TEA, from
writer/director Katsuhito Ishii, who also directed “Shark Skin Man & Peach
Hip Girl,” “Party Seven,” and the lavish animated portion of
“Kill Bill: Vol. 1.” THE TASTE OF TEA will be screening in New York,
Chicago, Seattle and Portland.
THE TASTE OF TEA has been called a surreal version of Ingmar Bergman's
”Fanny and Alexander,” and presents a heartwarming and visually
rich homage to Japanese family life. The film had its international debut
at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and won numerous awards at the 2004
Entrevues Film Festival, 2005 Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, 2005 New
York Asian Film Festival, 2005 San Francisco Independent Film Festival
and the 2005 Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film.
THE TASTE OF TEA introduces audiences to the Haruno's, a rather
unconventional but happy and loving family. They live in a small town in the
mountains just outside of Tokyo where life is good and quiet – but
that doesn't mean they don't have their own quirks and little
problems. There is 8-year old Sachiko (Maya Banno), who is bothered at
inopportune moments by a giant-sized double of herself, who hangs around
sitting on buildings staring at her, while her older brother Hajime
(Takahiro Satō) privately wrestles with raging hormones and a love-struck heart
after the arrival of a pretty new classmate (played by Amerasian
actress Anna Tsuchiya, also seen in KAMIKAZE GIRLS). The mother works hard to
come out of retirement as an animator, and the father, who watches her
attempts with apprehension, is a professional hypnotist who
occasionally plies his trade on his own family with often funny results. An uncle
(played by Tadanobu Asano of ICHI THE KILLER) comes to visit and stays
with the family, but he has a hidden agenda as he comes to terms with a
romance that ended years ago. Another uncle, who is a successful manga
artist, also stops in with his own dramas. It's his birthday soon,
and he wants to give himself something special. And lastly there's
Grandpa, the most eccentric and perhaps the most perceptive of all, who
continues to search for a better way to live life to the fullest. All of
these dramas are presented with rich visual imagery and allegories as an
animated train emerges from someone's head, giant sunflowers bloom and
orange-clad dancers appear from nowhere.
“It's a privilege to bring THE TASTE OF TEA to North America for a
series of special theatrical screenings,” says Seiji Horibuchi,
President and CEO for Viz Pictures. “Critics have praised this film since
its debut and we are pleased to add it to the growing repertoire of VIZ
Pictures. THE TASTE OF TEA presents all the quirkiness and beauty of
Japanese family life, richly presented with all its comedy, tears and
drama, and I look forward to domestic audiences enjoying this unique
story.”
THE TASTE OF TEA will screen in the following cities:
New York
General opening: February 23 - March 1, 2007
The ImaginAsian
239 East 59th St., New York 10022
http://www.theimaginasian.com
Chicago
General opening: March 2-8, 2007
FACETS CINEMATHEQUE
1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
http://www.facets.org/asticat
Portland
April 6-12, 2007
The Hollywood Theatre
4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97212
http://www.hollywoodtheatre.org
Seattle
April 27 - May 3, 2007
GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA
1403 NE 50th St., Seattle, WA 98105
http://www.grandillusioncinema.org
About Viz Pictures, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese
live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii
(cute) and cool" pop culture. Viz Pictures approaches each film release
from a J-pop fan's point of view. THE TASTE OF TEA is the third VIZ
Pictures title following TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO and LINDA LINDA LINDA, the
company will continue to offer the most entertaining live action motion
pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages
in North America. Viz Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of Viz Media, LLC,
the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga
(comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular
"NARUTO" animated TV series.
© 2006 Viz Pictures, Inc
About Viz Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), is one
of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of
manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese
content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga
and animation, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan Production
Co., Ltd. (Sho-Pro Japan), Viz Media is a leader in the publishing and
distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North
America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The
company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as
SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks
and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial
production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and
promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact Viz Media at
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax
(415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.
###
TEA
Critically Acclaimed And Award Winning Film Is A Heartwarming Homage To
Japanese Family Life
San Francisco, CA, February 16, 2006 – Viz Pictures, an affiliate of
Viz Media LLC, the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and
comics that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has
announced a series of special North American theatrical screenings of the
critically acclaimed and award winning film, THE TASTE OF TEA, from
writer/director Katsuhito Ishii, who also directed “Shark Skin Man & Peach
Hip Girl,” “Party Seven,” and the lavish animated portion of
“Kill Bill: Vol. 1.” THE TASTE OF TEA will be screening in New York,
Chicago, Seattle and Portland.
THE TASTE OF TEA has been called a surreal version of Ingmar Bergman's
”Fanny and Alexander,” and presents a heartwarming and visually
rich homage to Japanese family life. The film had its international debut
at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and won numerous awards at the 2004
Entrevues Film Festival, 2005 Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, 2005 New
York Asian Film Festival, 2005 San Francisco Independent Film Festival
and the 2005 Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film.
THE TASTE OF TEA introduces audiences to the Haruno's, a rather
unconventional but happy and loving family. They live in a small town in the
mountains just outside of Tokyo where life is good and quiet – but
that doesn't mean they don't have their own quirks and little
problems. There is 8-year old Sachiko (Maya Banno), who is bothered at
inopportune moments by a giant-sized double of herself, who hangs around
sitting on buildings staring at her, while her older brother Hajime
(Takahiro Satō) privately wrestles with raging hormones and a love-struck heart
after the arrival of a pretty new classmate (played by Amerasian
actress Anna Tsuchiya, also seen in KAMIKAZE GIRLS). The mother works hard to
come out of retirement as an animator, and the father, who watches her
attempts with apprehension, is a professional hypnotist who
occasionally plies his trade on his own family with often funny results. An uncle
(played by Tadanobu Asano of ICHI THE KILLER) comes to visit and stays
with the family, but he has a hidden agenda as he comes to terms with a
romance that ended years ago. Another uncle, who is a successful manga
artist, also stops in with his own dramas. It's his birthday soon,
and he wants to give himself something special. And lastly there's
Grandpa, the most eccentric and perhaps the most perceptive of all, who
continues to search for a better way to live life to the fullest. All of
these dramas are presented with rich visual imagery and allegories as an
animated train emerges from someone's head, giant sunflowers bloom and
orange-clad dancers appear from nowhere.
“It's a privilege to bring THE TASTE OF TEA to North America for a
series of special theatrical screenings,” says Seiji Horibuchi,
President and CEO for Viz Pictures. “Critics have praised this film since
its debut and we are pleased to add it to the growing repertoire of VIZ
Pictures. THE TASTE OF TEA presents all the quirkiness and beauty of
Japanese family life, richly presented with all its comedy, tears and
drama, and I look forward to domestic audiences enjoying this unique
story.”
THE TASTE OF TEA will screen in the following cities:
New York
General opening: February 23 - March 1, 2007
The ImaginAsian
239 East 59th St., New York 10022
http://www.theimaginasian.com
Chicago
General opening: March 2-8, 2007
FACETS CINEMATHEQUE
1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
http://www.facets.org/asticat
Portland
April 6-12, 2007
The Hollywood Theatre
4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97212
http://www.hollywoodtheatre.org
Seattle
April 27 - May 3, 2007
GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA
1403 NE 50th St., Seattle, WA 98105
http://www.grandillusioncinema.org
About Viz Pictures, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Viz Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese
live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii
(cute) and cool" pop culture. Viz Pictures approaches each film release
from a J-pop fan's point of view. THE TASTE OF TEA is the third VIZ
Pictures title following TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO and LINDA LINDA LINDA, the
company will continue to offer the most entertaining live action motion
pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages
in North America. Viz Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of Viz Media, LLC,
the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga
(comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular
"NARUTO" animated TV series.
© 2006 Viz Pictures, Inc
About Viz Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), is one
of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of
manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese
content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga
and animation, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan Production
Co., Ltd. (Sho-Pro Japan), Viz Media is a leader in the publishing and
distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North
America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The
company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as
SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks
and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial
production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and
promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact Viz Media at
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax
(415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.
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