Japanese Films Selling at Cannes

Several Japanese films have received offers for foreign distribution at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, including the latest movie starring young Yagira Yuya (photo, 15), who took the festival by surprise last year by becoming the youngest ever Best Actor award winner for his role in "Dare mo Shiranai" (Nobody Knows). In "Hoshi ni Natta Shonen" (Little Randy and Shining Boy) he takes on the real-life role of Sakamoto Tetsumu, who went to Thailand to become an elephant trainer. After returning to build an elephant park in Japan, he was killed in a traffic accident at the age of 20. The movie is based on a book by Sakamoto's mother. With a music score by Academy Award-winning composer Sakamoto Ryuichi, there is already talk of an Oscar nomination for Yagira. Another film receiving offers from more than a dozen countries is "Ima Ai ni Yukimasu" which stars kabuki actor Nakamura Shido (32) and Takeuchi Yuko (25), who announced their wedding engagement just this month.