Wakamatsu Kôji Goes Poaching

Today was the closing ceremony of TIFF (you can check the list of winners here). I was glad to see a maverick such as Wakamatsu Kôji (若松孝二監督) pick up the top prize in the Japanese Eyes section for his latest film United Red Army (Jitsuroku: Rengô Sekigun - Asama Sansô E No Michi, 『実録・連合赤軍―あさま山荘への道程』). I snapped the above picture when my friend Marion Klomfass of Nippon Connection (and here) presented Wakamatsu with his award. A longtime TIFF attendee, Marion was chosen to be on the Japanese Eyes jury -- good for her. Didn't get to see the film myself as I was away, but hope to rectify that soon at one of the four all-night preview events before the film's spring 2008 release.

Later at the press conference Wakamatsu spoke about how the original cut was 4 hours, but he had to cut it down to three or the exhibitor wouldn't show it. He said he'd like to take his next film on the road himself, which directors would do once upon a time, and made an open pitch to potential investors. "Don't worry, it'll be a good movie!" he laughed. You can see more photos from the film's screening here.

Update: Mark Schilling provides more insight into Wakamatsu's movie as well as an overview of the whole Japanese Eyes section in this Japan Times article.