Time:
2010 8月 02 19:00 - 21:30

Language:
In Japanese with English subtitles

Summary:
Sneak Preview Screening: Cast Me If You Can (Wakiyaku Monogatari)
followed by a Q&A session with the writer-director, Atsushi Ogata
Monday, August 2, 2010. 7:00 p.m. 20th floor

Japan, 2010 97 minutes
Written, directed and produced by Atsushi Ogata
Cowriter and casting director: Akane Shiratori
Producers: Eric Nyari, Eriko Miyagawa
Executive producer: Balazs Nyari
Starring: Toru Masuoka, Hiromi Nagasaku, Masahiko Tsugawa and Keiko Matsuzaka

Film courtesy of Dream On Productions

Description:
Hiroshi (Masuoka) is an actor who always plays supporting roles and lives in the shadow of his famous novelist father, Kenta (Tsugawa). Hiroshi has the virtue of being helpful to strangers, but as a result, like a chameleon, he is always mistaken for someone else: other actors, a sales clerk, a gas station attendant, even a kidnapper. When the lead role of Hiroshi's dreams finally seems within reach, his contract is canceled after he is mistaken for another man having an affair with the wife of an MP. But one day, Hiroshi's luck changes. On the train, he meets an aspiring actress, Aya (Nagasaku) who doesn't mistake him for anyone else. Hiroshi falls for Aya head over heels and sets about trying to woo her. But Hiroshi is his own worst enemy for getting a date, or landing the lead role.

Please join the Movie Committee as we host this special sneak preview of Atsushi Ogata's feature film debut. Ogata screened his award-winning short film "Eternally Yours" at the FCCJ in 2008 and, despite frequently being mistaken for a variety of other people, will soon be famous for being himself. "Cast Me if You Can" had its world premiere at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival Asian New Talent Award competition in June, and will have its US premiere at festivals in Pasadena, California, in July. "Cast Me if You Can" will open this autumn in Tokyo at the Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, and also be released theatrically through Tokyo Theatres Co., Inc. in other Japanese cities.

Writer-director-producer Atsushi Ogata has worked in Holland, Germany, Japan and the US as a film director, scriptwriter, video artist and actor. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Advanced Visual Studies. "Eternally Yours," Ogata's 2007 short film, was selected for the prestigious New Directors / New Films Festival at MoMA and Lincoln Center in New York. It won awards at the Bangkok, Moondance and Boston International Film Festivals, and has been screened at festivals in Berlin, Sao Paolo, Los Angeles and others. "Cast Me if You Can" is Ogata's feature film debut.

For those who wish to eat right before the film begins, a picnic dinner is available at a cost of 1,365 yen, including: sandwich (poached salmon, dill cream cheese, tomato, cucumber, cress,romaine lettuce & pickles on baguette), beverage choice, popcorn and tax. A vegetarian sandwich is also available for those who notify us in advance. To help us plan food preparation, please reserve by noon on the day of the screening at the FCCJ Reception Desk (3211-3161). Please pick up your ticket at the front desk from 6:00 pm before collecting your picnic and beverage choice at the lobby bar. Cancellations received after noon on the day of the screening will be charged in full.

You may attend the film without ordering a picnic dinner. Please make your reservations at the FCCJ Reception Desk (3211-3161) to allow for seating arrangements.

All movie screenings are private, noncommercial events restricted to FCCJ members and their guests.

Karen Severns, Edwin Karmiol, Movie Committee