Koji Yakusho and Shun Oguri in THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN. © 2011 Kitsutsuki to Ame Film PartnersUK DVD and Blu-ray Planned for 2013 Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel UK distributor Third Window Films is pleased to announce the acquisition of 2 wonderful comedies from the Far East, Pang Ho-Cheung`s VULGARIA (????, 2012) and Shuichi Okita`s THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN (??????, Kitsutsuki to Ame, 2012).
Both films have been touring many popular international film festivals to rave reviews with VULGARIA having its European premiere at the prestigious Udine Film Festival and then going on to open the New York Asian Film Festival while THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN won the Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival and then had its European debut at the Terracotta Film Festival before going on to sell-out shows at Udine, Japan Cuts and many more. Third Window Films mainly handles Japanese films nowadays, but the acquisition of VULGARIA still fits into the ethos behind Third Window Films handling unique and original films from directors that stick way out from the mainstream. Third Window Films` MD Adam Torel says "Actually, I`ve been trying to release Pang Ho-Cheung films for years and have always had problems negotiating rights with companies who have been selling his films. Ever since I saw YOU SHOOT, I SHOOT on VCD when it came out I knew that there was a brand new face of Hong Kong cinema that would go on to be something special, and he has proven it over the years by being one of the only writer/directors in Hong Kong who can make original films with intelligent and unique scripts with witty dialogue over a variety of different genres and topics, something which hasn`t been seen in Hong Kong cinema for a very long time. I`m very happy to have been able to acquire this film (after a looong negotiation process) and hope that the release of VULGARIA will help many of his other brilliant films filter into the UK." THE WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN is another very highly-received comedy that fits comfortably in to Third Window Films` recent output of Japanese comedies. While slightly more mainstream than some of the more cultish and quirky comedies that Third Window has been handling, but as Adam Torel says "Third Window Films has always tried to work with new talent and try to get them more international attention through distribution in the West, and young director Shuichi Okita, who rose to fame with THE CHEF OF SOUTH POLAR, has shown that he is definitely a director going somewhere!" Both films will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2013.
About Third Window Films
The Third Window Films brand was born in 2005 when its film-loving founders grew bored of the stream of worn-out shock horror vehicles from the Far East. Third Window Films works hard to bring you the wonderful world beyond long-haired ghost films and mindless Hollywood action copies, sourcing the finest works in new Far Eastern cinema. We strive to represent a rich variety of film genres, be they dramas, comedies, political satires, action or anything else in between. Expect everything from the unknown and cult to the off-beat and even the occasional mainstream masterpiece... or expect nothing but quality Asian cinema! Let Third Window Films be your window to the East!
