Hollywood, Asian Stars Attend Opening of Tokyo Film Festival

With the prime minister not attending this year, Japan’s Minister of Economy Trade and Industry at the opening ceremony hailed the success of Japanese films, citing Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s director award at this year’s Cannes festival, as well as the international release of Attack on Titan, the live-action double bill of the popular manga and anime. 

Jury president Singer recalled his two previous visits to the Tokyo fest, the first with The Usual Suspects in 1995 and attempting to make a speech in Japanese when he attended again three years later. “It was terrible and I got a number of words wrong,” he said. “I won’t be repeating that mistake this time.”

Despite a solid sprinkling of international and local celebrities on the red carpet, the opening ceremony had a somewhat low-key feel compared to last year’s, which featured the world premiere of Big Hero 6, the prime minister and the appearance of Japan’s biggest boy band on stage.

By the time the screening had begun for The Walk, which has already opened to a mostly underwhelming reaction in around 70 countries, a large number of seats in the venue were empty.         

The festival runs until Oct. 31 at Roppongi Hills and other central Tokyo venues.

Twitter: @GavinJBlair