Films by the most talked about cult filmmaker in the international festival circuit and Japan, Takashi Miike, will be showcased in the ‘Contemporary Masters’ section of the 18th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), slated to be held in the city from December 6 to 13.
A bunch of five films by Miike are set to be screened in the festival. ‘Audition’, ‘13 Assassins’, ‘Crows’, ‘Hara kiri: Death of a Samurai’ and the 2013 release and his latest, ‘Shield of Straw’ are to be screened.
His films ‘Audition’ (2000) and ‘Ichi the Killer’ (2001) sharply boosted his popularity in the festival circuit. Counting his works since his debut in 1991, he has to his credit 70 theatrical, video and television productions. The themes of his films are diverse, ranging from violent and bizarre to dramatic and family-friendly. His films are popular in Japan, where he has attained cult status.
This year, 14 films have been selected for the festival’s competition section, including films from Asia, Africa and Latin American countries. Ten are entries from foreign countries and four are Indian films comprising two Malayalam films. With the regular sections such as World Cinema, Indian Cinema Now and Malayalam Cinema Today, inclusion of a competition section for advertisement films is a highlight this time.
The best feature film will win the Golden Crow Pheasant Award, a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh which will be equally shared by the director and the producer. Delegate registration for this edition has commenced. The festival is organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.