The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) revealed the main international cast of the second installment of omnibus film co-production series, ASIAN THREE-FOLD MIRROR 2018: JOURNEY. The film is being directed by three accomplished Asian filmmakers, Degena Yun (China), Daishi Matsunaga (Japan) and Edwin (Indonesia), under the common theme “Journey,” signifying traveling beyond time and space. The ASIAN THREE-FOLD MIRROR is a collaborative project jointly organized by the Japan Foundation Asia Center and TIFF.
One of Indonesia’s most popular actors, Nicholas Saputra, has been cast to star in all three omnibus episodes. Acclaimed Chinese actress Jin Chen and upcoming actress Zhe Gong will be starring in Degena Yun’s episode, THE SEA; while one of Japan’s most striking Japanese actors, Hiroki Hasegawa, and an actress from Myanmar who is making her feature film debut, Nandar Myat Aung, will be starring in Matsunaga’s episode, HEKISHU. Popular Indonesian actress Agni Pratistha and one of her country’s most distinguished actors, Oka Antara, will be appearing in the episode by Edwin, VARIABLE NO. 3. The protagonist of each chapter is an Asian living in an Asian country, allowing the directors to express their own unique visions and to film on location in Asia, creating one omnibus film.
Production will be completed in time for a world premiere at the 31st edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival, to be held from October 25 to November 3, 2018. The film will then be theatrically released from November 9 to 15, 2018 at three theaters in Japan, immediately following the theatrical release of the first of the series, ASIAN THREE-FOLD MIRROR 2016: REFLECTIONS from October 12 to 18, 2018.
THE SEA directed by Degena Yun (China)
Degena Yun brings us a road movie about a mother and daughter whose characters are radically different, traveling together to the sea from Beijing. As the purpose of the trip is gradually revealed, the film is sure to provoke tears. Degena sheds light on universal parent-child relationship issues, while also illuminating human relations in contemporary China. It is a challenging story strongly reflecting Degena’s own personal experiences and background. Veteran actress Jin Chen plays the mother, and highly acclaimed young actress Zhe Gong plays the daughter.
HEKISHU directed by Daishi Matsunaga (Japan)
Set in Yangon, Myanmar, the story revolves around a Japanese businessman who is involved in a railway construction project in the city. With lush colors and imagery, Matsunaga captures the evolution and loss of a city that has just democratized, the interactions between the man and the people of Yangon, and the emotional effect these all have on this businessman. Playing the main character is Hiroki Hasegawa, one of the most in-demand Japanese actors today. In a quiet but powerful performance, Hasegawa’s portrayal of this character allows us to see him in a new light. Joining Hasegawa is newcomer Nander Myat Aung, making an appearance in a beautiful traditional costume.
VARIABLE NO. 3 directed by Edwin (Indonesia)
Known for his surrealistic touches, Edwin’s story is portrayed from his unique perspective. An Indonesian couple meets a mysterious man while traveling in Tokyo. A so-called consultant who runs a guest house, he gives them odd and sensuous advice. Starring in the film is Nicholas Saputra, one of the most acclaimed actors in Indonesia, who also appears in the two other Asian Three-Fold Mirror episodes. Also starring are popular Indonesian actress Agni Pratistha and Oka Antara, who previously appeared in the Japanese-Indonesian co-production KILLERS (2013), opposite Kazuki Kitamura.
Directors of ASIAN THREE-FOLD MIRROR 2018
Degena Yun (China)
Born in Inner Mongolia, Degena Yun graduated from the University of London and earned an MA in Film Directing from Beijing Film Academy. She made her feature debut with LATITUDE 52 (2012), which was in competition at the Montreal World Film Festival. Her second feature, A SIMPLE GOODBYE (2015), won the Spirit of Asia Award from the Japan Foundation Asia Center at the 28th TIFF as well as screening Torino, Xining and Minneapolis.
Daishi Matsunaga (Japan)
Born in Tokyo, Daishi Matsunaga started his career as an actor and then directed music videos and commercials, as well as a TV series, RESCUE FIRE. His widely acclaimed documentary, PYUUPIRU (2011), was featured in numerous international film festivals including Rotterdam, Jeonju and Paris Cinema. His first narrative film, PIETA IN THE TOILET (2015), was a smash hit. OTOTOKI, a documentary about legendary Japanese rock band The Yellow Monkey, was released in November 2017 and screened at the 22nd Busan International Film Festival and the 30th TIFF. His latest film, HANALEI BAY, is based on a Haruki Murakami short story, and will be released in Japan in October 2018.
Edwin (Indonesia)
Born in Surabaya, Indonesia, Edwin obtained a diploma in Graphic Design from Petra University and studied film at the Jakarta Institute of Arts, where he liberated his passion for filmmaking, utilizing spontaneous, flexible and fun approaches. His first feature, BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY (2008) received the FIPRESCI Prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2009; and his short film KARA, THE DAUGHTER OF A TREE (2005), was the first Indonesian film to be shown at the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes 2005. POSTCARDS FROM THE ZOO (2012) was nominated for a Golden Bear at the 2012 Berlinale. His latest film, POSESIF (2017), was a smash hit in Indonesia and won the Best Director Award at the Indonesian Film Festival 2017 (Indonesia’s equivalent of the Academy Awards).
General Producer: Satoru Iseki (Japan)
Born in 1943, Iseki started his film career at Nippon Herald while an undergraduate of Waseda University. After participating in Nagisa Oshima’s MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE (1983) and Akira Kurosawa’s RAN (1985), he established Nippon Film Development and Finance in 1991 and produced NAKED LUNCH (1991), HOWARDS END (1992) and others. He has produced numerous international film co-productions, including SMOKE (1995), THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN (1998), THE WORLD‘S FASTEST INDIAN (2005) and A BATTLE OF WITS (2006). In 2001, he established HARK inc.