Tokyo FILMeX 2006

Partly due to the fact that it was launched around the time when REALTOKYO opened, this film festival is one that I particularly love. This year’s installment features among others movies by Thai Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Chinese Jia Zhang-ke, Tsai Ming-liang from Taiwan and Ryoo Seung-Wan from Korea. These are all outstandingly unique directors who represent this year’s lineup, assembled again to match the “auteurism” concept that has been distinguishing the festival in an amazingly consistent manner. Also on the program this year are special screenings of films by Swiss Daniel Schmid and Okamoto Kihachi, as well as talk events with a variety of guests. The prominent jury includes Pusan Film Festival director Kim Dong-ho, which is another indicator of originality. (REALTOKYO)