MIKA NINAGAWA

Based on the renowned comic series "xxxHOLiC" by the charismatic creative group CLAMP. Ninagawa, who has been a fan of the original work since its publication, which depicts the idea that "a price is necessary to make a wish come true”, has been developing the idea for about 10 years and finally brought it to fruition. Ryunosuke Kamiki plays Kimihiro Watanuki, a lonely high school student who can see the "spirits" that haunt the darkness in people's hearts, and Kou Shibasaki plays Yuko Ichihara, the mysterious and beautiful proprietress of a mysterious "store" that grants wishes in exchange for a price.
The movie will be released on 29 April, 2022.

Mika’s first Netflix original drama directorial broadcasting in more than 190 countries in 2020. The story tells the real Tokyo in which adults and youngsters nowadays influenced directly and indirectly by social media, but still able to overcome all difficulties and living their lives to their full. The main actors are Miki Nakatani and Eraiza Ikeda, together with Mari Natsuki, Yuka Itaya and Nobuaki Kanako.

Ningenshikkaku (No Longer Human, published in 1948), completed shortly before the author’s death, is one of top Japanese fiction writer Osamu Dazai’s best-selling works, accumulating record sales of 12 millions copies. Written from the perspective of three women involved with him, Dazai skilfully depicts how the idea of losing one’s humanity is born. With a wife and child in tow, Dazai finds himself flung into romances and multiple suicide attempts, the women involved ultimately wanting to fulfill their own selfish desires. In contrast to the novel, this dramatic movie portrays the women as strong and robust characters exuding fresh and alluring beauty. With undeniable appeal, charisma and talent, Osamu Dazai played by Oguri Shun, becomes entangled with three women in his life; his wife played by Rie Miyazawa, the mistress played by Erika Sawajiri, and a heartfelt companion portrayed by Fumi Nikaido. Jun Miyake, one of music’s greatest masters, joins the team in this star-filled ensemble. The movie opens 13 September, 2019.

Diner, originally a novel by Yumeaki Hirayama, had been deemed impossible to depict as a film due to its radical content. To tackle the difficult task of “creating a film without age restrictions”, Ninagawa employed creative tactics true to form, such as replacing blood splashes with red rose petals, and using rain and cherry blossoms as a backdrop for a battle scene. Former murderer and genius chef, portrayed by Tatsuya Fujiwara, along with a waitress portrayed by newcomer Tina Tamashiro, come together with a group of fantastical assassins in a diner. Top creatives and artists such as Tadanori Yokoo, Makoto Azuma and Kohei Nawa have also lent a hand to the production of the film. A girl with a hollowness in her heart and who finds that she belongs to nowhere, is thrust into a series of attacks where she must struggle to find her will to live. The key message of the film – to think with one’s own mind and to live strongly with integrity – has resonated with many young people across social media, and subsequently led to an extended screening of the film.

Helter Skelter is the live action adaptation of the wildly popular and charismatic work by Kyoko Okazaki. The protagonist is vividly portrayed by actress Erika Sawajiri, a girl striving for ultimate beauty through a series of full body plastic surgeries. The film, which depicts the fall of a top model, carries strong messages of what it is to be like living as women in a consumerist society like Tokyo, where beauty standards and desires to be perfect are born out of jealousy and envy. The film has received high praises both in Taipei and foreign countries alike.

The 56th London International Film Festival – Special Screening
The 14th Tapei Film Festival – Special Screening
LA EigaFest 2012 – Film entry
JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film 2013 (NYC) – Film entry
The 2nd Toronto Japan Film Festival – Film entry
The 36th Japan Academy Prize – Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Music

Originally by hugely popular manga artist Moyoko Anno, Sakuran is a live action movie adaptation of the namesake comic series. Set against the backdrop of the Yoshiwara Yuukaku (a famous red light district) in the Edo period, it tells of the story of a girl who overcame her own weaknesses to rise up as one of the most unique and vibrant Oiran (courtsans) of her time. The main character is portrayed by actress and musician Anna Tsuchiya, while Sheena Ringo took on the role of the Music Director. The visually saturated and artistic set, together with a fashion forward take on traditional costumes, created stunning and vivid imagery in a highly celebrated film that brought to life a story of the feminine soul.

The 57th Berlin International Film Festival – Special Screening
The 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival – Special Screening
The 33rd Seattle International Film Festival – Special Screening
Bird’s Eye View (UK) Film Festival 2008 – Film Entry
New Horizons Film Festival (Poland) 2015 – Film Entry
The 2nd Asian Film Awards – Best Cinematography, Best Composer
The 31st Japan Academy Prize – Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Music