TOGO IGAWA

Igawa trained in Japan at The Hiyuza Theatre Company Drama School, and the Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music. In 1968 he joined the Theatre Centre 68 (precursor of the Black Tent Theatre), and went on to tour throughout Japan in more than 120 cities. In 1983 he moved to England. In 1986, during the opening season of the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon Avon, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company as its first Japanese actor. Since then, he has appeared extensively on stage, film, television and radio. In 2006, he formed the British-Japanese “Ichiza Theatre Company?. He lives in north Oxfordshire with his English wife, Adrienne Baba, a potter. His films include Memoirs of a Geisha by Rob Marshall; Revolver by Guy Ritchie; The Last Samurai by Edward Zwick; Topsy-Turvy by Mike Leigh and Eyes Wide Shut by Stanley Kubrick.

Igawa will be introduced Ian Haydn-Smith, author, film critic and editor of the International Film Guide, who will conduct a question and answer and session with the actor after the screening.
The event will end at 9.05pm.

The collaboration will launch at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival (another partner) with the UK premiere of Oliver Sherman, a Canadian independent feature directed by Ryan Redford, which CinéFile will release in the UK and Ireland later in the year.

The network masterminded by Paris-based Wide Management under the imprint EoF (Eye On Films), launched at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. Supported by MEDIA Mundus, CinéFile’s involvement was signed and sealed at the recent Cannes Film Festival.

EoF aims to promote in particular works by first time directors. Besides Edinburgh Oliver Sherman also will screen at the Galway Film Festival in July. The film so far has secured distribution in France and Hungary and now the UK and Ireland thanks to CinéFile.

More than 90 films were submitted by producers and sales agents all over the world for EoF pre-selection, and may other titles are under consideration by the EoF partners, comprising 30 distributors and film festivals in Europe and elsewhere.

Oliver Sherman, acclaimed at last year’s Toronto Film Festival, is an intimate drama about a former soldier (Garret Dillahunt as the titular character) who turns up unexpectedly on the doorstep of a wartime colleague (Donal Logue). The latter has moved on, and established a new life with a wife (Molly Parker) and young children. Sherman insinuates himself into their happy family, revealing a gnawing sense of resentment and jealousy. With powerful performances and low-key direction from Ryan Redford the narrative proves to be a gripping foray into the heart of darkness.

“We’re delighted to be part of this exciting new venture which is very much in line with out company ideals about discovering new talent away from the mainstream. After its Edinburgh and Galway premieres we are looking forward to working on the film’s release later in the year and also to future tie-ups with Eye on Films,” said CinéFile’s head of acquisitions Ilona Morison.

Oliver Sherman screens at the EIFF on 16 June at 19.50 in Cameo 1 / 18 June at 13.00 in Cameo 1

Oliver Sherman at The Galway Film Fleadh 5 – 10 July 2011 Dates to be confirmed.

Media Materials https://public.me.com/richardmowe

Based on a best-selling novel, first-time writer/director Mona Achache’s charming and thoughtful The Hedgehog is the story of  an unexpected  encounter. Paloma, an exceptionally intelligent 11-year-old (played by Garance Le Guillermic), wants to end it all on her 12th birthday. Fascinated by art and philosophy, she documents her life and immediate circle, drawing trenchant and often hilarious observations on the world around her within a Parisian apartment building. But as her birthday approaches, Paloma finally meets some kindred spirits in her solitary concierge Renée Michel (Josiane Balasko) and an enigmatic and elegant neighbour Mr Kakuro Ozu (Togo Igawa). Freely inspired by Moroccan-born Muriel Barbery’s international literary success, The Hedgehog leaves a deep impression. No car chases, no explosions, no convoluted plot twists – yet it’s utterly captivating simply because the characters are so well drawn and full of humanity.

Cast: Josiane Balasko / Garance Le Guillermic / Togo Igawa / Anne Brochet / and Ariane Ascaride.

Dir: Mona Achache. 2009.
100 mins

If The Hedgehog does not immediately grab your full attention, let’s just say your attention is in need of some serious attention …

A touching, engaging parable about the importance of unconventionality …

Balasko is terrific as the ugly duckling housekeeper, but it’s the little sparrow Guillermic who strolls away with the picture …

Production values are high, the performances are solid and

there are moments of charm … Bernard Besserglik, Hollywood
Reporter

http://www.leherisson-lefilm.com/ (for Press book and trailer
in French)

Release date: to be confirmed

Images: https://public.me.com/richardmowe