Third Window Films Acquires Pang Ho-Cheung's VULGARIA & Shuichi Okita's THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN
Third Window Films keeps the hits coming with their latest acquisition announcement. First up is Pang Ho Cheung's latest film, Vulgaria. Not only is this the first new film from Hong Kong to enter Third Window's catalog in a long time, it is also the latest in a massive string of critically successful films from the extremely diverse talent that is Pang Ho Cheung. The second film is one that sounds like it fits in quite nicely with Third Window's collection of Japanese comedies, and that is Shuichi Okita's The Woodsman and the Rain. I've seen neither, though the former is high on my "to see" list, but if any name stands for quality, it's Third Window, so here's more about these films from Adam Torel:
Next up on their plate are today's Blu-ray releases of Sion Sono's Love Exposure and Himizu, for which reviews are forthcoming, followed in October by the Shinji Tsukamoto triple feature of Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Tetsuo II: Body Hammer, and Kotoko. It is always a treat when Adam shares exciting news like this with us, and we're excited to be the first to share it with you. Keep your browsers tuned to Twitch for all of the latest Third Window Films news!
Third Window Films is pleased to announce the acquisition of 2 wonderful comedies from the Far East, Pang Ho-Cheung's Vulgaria and Shuichi Okita's The Woodsman and the Rain (Kitsutsuki to Ame).As I mentioned above, I'd not heard of The Woodsman and the Rain before, but Koji Yakusho is always worth checking out. These two releases mark the latest in Third Windows expanding catalog which is definitely among the best curated collections out there.
Both films have been touring many popular international film festivals to rave reviews with Vulgaria having its European premiere at the prestigious Udine Film Festival and then going on to open the New York Asian Film Festival while The Woodsman and the Rain won the Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival and then had its European debut at the Terracotta Film Festival before going on to sell-out shows at Udine, Japan Cuts and many more.
Third Window Films mainly handles Japanese films nowadays, but the acquisition of Vulgaria still fits into the ethos behind Third Window Films handling unique and original films from directors that stick way out from the mainstream. Third Window Films' MD Adam Torel says "Actually, I've been trying to release Pang Ho-Cheung films for years and have always had problems negotiating rights with companies who have been selling his films. Ever since I saw 'You Shoot, I Shoot' on VCD when it came out I knew that there was a brand new face of Hong Kong cinema that would go on to be something special, and he has proven it over the years by being one of the only writer/directors in Hong Kong who can make original films with intelligent and unique scripts with witty dialogue over a variety of different genres and topics, something which hasn't been seen in Hong Kong cinema for a very long time. I'm very happy to have been able to acquire this film (after a looong negotiation process) and hope that the release of Vulgaria will help many of his other brilliant films filter into the UK."The Woodsman and the Rain is another very highly-received comedy that fits comfortably in to Third Window Films' recent output of Japanese comedies. While slightly more mainstream than some of the more cultish and quirky comedies that Third Window has been handling, but as Adam Torel says "Third Window Films has always tried to work with new talent and try to get them more international attention through distribution in the West, and young director Shuichi Okita, who rose to fame with The Chef of the South Polar, has shown that he is definitely a director going somewhere!"
Both films will be released on DVD in 2013.
Next up on their plate are today's Blu-ray releases of Sion Sono's Love Exposure and Himizu, for which reviews are forthcoming, followed in October by the Shinji Tsukamoto triple feature of Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Tetsuo II: Body Hammer, and Kotoko. It is always a treat when Adam shares exciting news like this with us, and we're excited to be the first to share it with you. Keep your browsers tuned to Twitch for all of the latest Third Window Films news!
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