North American Premiere of Japanese Blockbuster Hit Rurouni Kenshin Opens the LA EigaFest 2012 Japanese Film Festival in Hollywood
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- We are proud to announce the North American premiere of the hit film Rurouni Kenshin as our opening selection for LA EigaFest 2012. Rurouni Kenshin is a hugely popular manga series beloved by those who read Japanese manga, as well as those familiar with the subsequent anime series and video games. The film has succeeded in bringing the original story to a live action movie and was a blockbuster summer hit in Japan. The director, Keishi Otomo, will attend the premiere and opening red carpet ceremony. In addition to Rurouni Kenshin, the 2012 line up features some of the biggest and best films to come out of Japan over the last year including The Floating Castle, Thermae Romae, Helter Skelter, Kirishima Thing, Rakugo Eiga and Wolf Children. Finally, a special screening of four selected short films will be presented in collaboration with the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. The LA EigaFest 2012 will be held in conjunction with the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood from Friday December 14th through Sunday December 16th.
About LA EigaFest: LA EigaFest is a Japanese film festival based in LA and hosted by the Japan Film Society. Its three main objectives are to 1) Showcase Japanese and Japanese influenced films that appeal to the broad American audiences, 2) Introduce and promote new and upcoming filmmakers and talent to the Hollywood community, and 3) Enhance the communication and relationship between the US and Japanese film industries and thus create business opportunities. The LA EigaFest 2012 is presented in conjunction with the American Cinematheque.
"Eiga" which means "Film" in Japanese, was chosen to be included in the name of the film festival in hope that this would become an iconic Japanese-English term and a symbol of the world of Japanese cinema.
About Japan Film Society: Japan Film Society is a 501C 3 non-profit organization established to introduce the art of Japanese film and culture and broaden its exposure among the audiences in the United States. It is an all-volunteer network of artists, business people, and film lovers who share an appreciation for the diverse world of Japanese cinema. The organization's mission is to help enhance understanding and build relationships between Japan and the United States through film, and to work together with artists, fans, and the public to create positive change in society. Japan Film Society was founded in 2009 and its inaugural film festival "LA EigaFest" was held in November of 2011.
About American Cinematheque: Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque is a 501 C 3 non-profit viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all of its forms. At the Egyptian Theatre, the Cinematheque presents daily film and video programming which ranges from the classics of American and international cinema to new independent films and digital work. Exhibition of rare works, special and rare prints, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences. The American Cinematheque renovated and reopened (on Dec. 4, 1998) the historic 1922 Hollywood Egyptian Theatre. This includes a state-of-the-art 616-seat theatre housed within Sid Grauman's first grand movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. The exotic courtyard is fully restored to its 1922 grandeur. The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. In January 2005 the American Cinematheque expanded its programming to the 1940 Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. For more information please visit www.americancinematheque.com.
For more information, please visit our official website at http://www.laeigafest.com
LA EigaFest - Japanese Film Festival -
December 14 – 16, 2012
American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Advance tickets available at: www.laeigafest.com and Fandango.com
SOURCE Japan Film Society
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