Movie stars hit the red carpet at Tokyo Int'l Film Festival for 1st time in 3 yrs

TOKYO -- Movie stars strolled along the red carpet at the Tokyo International Film Festival for the first time in three years on Oct. 24.

The opening ceremony for the 35th edition of the festival was held at Tokyo Takarazuka Theater that day. Attendees included actors Kazunari Ninomiya, who starred in the opening film "Fragments of the Last Will," Ai Hashimoto, who also serves as a festival ambassador, Goro Inagaki, who featured in "By the Window" to be screened in the event's competition division, and other dressed-up guests from both Japan and abroad.

American film and stage director Julie Taymor, who is the president of the jury in the competition division, said in her opening speech, "The world is very divisive. A lot of separations; a lot of crises ... We are travelers, people who go to film. We are travelers, and in that way the films draw out of us empathy, and that's what we so need now."

Ninomiya, meanwhile, stated, "'Fragments of the Last Will' is a work that makes people appreciate Japanese films. I want people to enjoy the festive atmosphere (at the event)."

The festival's chairperson Hiroyasu Ando said at the end of the opening ceremony, "We'd like to strive to make a further leap forward."

The film festival continues until Nov. 2. A total of 169 movies will be screened at theaters in central Tokyo's Hibiya, Yurakucho and Ginza districts. Fifteen works, including three Japanese films, in the competition division will vie for the festival's top prize, the Tokyo Grand Prix. The awards will be announced on the final day of the event.

(Japanese original by Tomomi Katsuta, Cultural News Department)