Hamish Downie’s News Sushi #123: Morsels of News From Japan and Beyond Template
Hamish keeps serving the best News Sushi!
Hooray! More News Sushi for you to enjoy!
Editor Note:It is Friday and that means it is time for the World Famous, soon to be Intergalactic Famous, News Sushi from our very own, Hamish Downie. Hamish brings us a decidedly different slant on Pop Culture as viewed through the lens of a non-native living in Japan.
Thank you (ありがとうございました) Hamish, for your insights.
こんにちは！Which means “Hello”!
Hello everyone, welcome back to News Sushi! Did you have a good Easter holiday? Japan has been getting into Easter recently. The chocolate part at least. It makes sense on the part of the chocolate company, as it gives them something to promote post-White Day. I had a day off, so I watched the service at the Balmain Uniting Church in Sydney over zoom.
The big day which is coming up in Japan is Children’s Day/ Boys Day, which is celebrated by hanging up these carp kites. It is the jewel in the crown of Golden Week, our pre-summer week-long holiday. I’m very much looking forward to mine because I’m exhausted.
At Demachi-Yanagi (出町柳) about to get on the train. The station is decorated with koi-nobori (鯉のぼり) lights for Tango-no-Sekku (端午の節句 Boys’ Day). The koi-nobori are wind socks displayed to celebrate children! pic.twitter.com/DsmONh3Br6
— Paprika Girl (@PaprikaGirl_JP) April 24, 2022
Next month, I have a speaking engagement coming up where I will talk about my favorite Golden Age movies, and just like high school and university, I’ve been leaving writing the speech to the last minute. I’ve written an outline, and I plan to start with a movie everyone in Japan knows, like “Roman Holiday” and then use that as a jumping off point for a flow chart of films. It was directed by William Wyler, so I can talk about his wonderful films and collaboration with Bette Davis. I can also talk about Audrey Hepburn, and her rise to fame. Then, there’s Gregory Peck, who made classics like “Spellbound”, “Gentleman’s Agreement” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”. And then, I can use those films to jump off into a new set of related films. It’s endless. Which is what is making it so hard to find a direction.
Now, I’ve really got something special to share.
Exclusive First Look “Matcha & Vanilla” Deleted Scene
Cutting this scene was heartbreaking. I didn’t realize this when watching DVD extras. Usually, I can see why something was cut, or am left wondering why it was left out of the movie. In this case, the studio felt that it was unrealistic for Yuki and Ai to have so many non-Japanese friends (even though Japanese cities are somewhat multicultural). During the Great Pause, I was thinking of turning this sequence into its own film, and shooting it all over zoom. But, I think I waited too long, and now there’s zoom fatigue. But, I want the world to see Adam J Yeend’s amazing performance, and here it is, presented semi-raw, and in HD.
Alex Kerr’s The Secret of Things
Today, we have something special from Alex Kerr, who is looking at two jars of coins from a shipwreck in Southeast Asia.
Chris Watt is in The Mire with Apple Park Films
Scottish writer and all round nice guy, Chris Watt, who penned upcoming feature film “The Mire”, has some great (now on sale) perks on the crowdfunder for the aforementioned film. Including a script consultancy with Chris himself, and a monologue written by Chris.
Fancy a prop from our #featurefilm? We're selling these books, which also happen to be early drafts of the script, signed by the cast and crew in #crowdfunding campaign.
We've hit our goal, so they're on sale: https://t.co/T5o215d9su
All funds go towards covering fees! pic.twitter.com/gsdSd3R1dZ
— Apple Park Films (@AppleParkFilms) April 24, 2022
The following monologue “BARB” was written by Chris Watt – and I’ve ordered a new one, inspired by Xanadu and Home Loans!
NEWS BITES!
Keith’s poetry book is out!
Please check out his interview one more time: https://tggeeks.com/blog/2022/03/25/hamish-downies-five-questions-with-keith-levesque/
Food made with Paper
This instagram is adorable, and some of the creations really look like actual food!
Q(WE)R — International Queer Culture Festival
Shai Ohayon (The Container) and Isabelle Olivier (Coil Inc.) are delighted to announce the launch of the Q(WE)R International Queer Culture Festival, which features movies, music, talks, art and more! Based in Tokyo.
Check out the full programme here: https://mcusercontent.com/c288f58a61b1153e3e859d510/files/00dac114-1cf2-4f3a-83ef-577ed20b0d6d/Q_WE_R_pr_programme.pdf
DR LEE CAMPBELL POETRY READING
If you remember my interview with Dr. Lee Campbell in 5 Questions, he has a new performance coming up at the end of next month. Check out the details here:
Lee Campbell: 'SEE ME – ' 9pm, Sunday 29th May
The Brunswick, Hove
Tix: https://t.co/5lGl4OHEBn#spokenwordpoetry #spokenword #poetry #performancepoetry #poet #poem #queerwriting #queerfilmmaker #queercinema#brightonfringe22 #literature #brightonfringe pic.twitter.com/YCxW3AlnHP— Dr Lee Campbell (@leejjcampbell) April 25, 2022
HOT LINK of the MONTH
And, we finish off with our Hot Link of the Week. Hope you have a great weekend!
Thanks for stopping by and look forward to seeing you again!
RIP the oldest person in the world, Kane Tanaka, who died in Japan at 119 this week
「またきんようびね！」
