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Ichigensan I understand, is a slightly derogatory Japanese term for a
foreigner, so the movie which is in Japanese, is sometimes translated as The Outsider or The Newcomer. Click on image above to see it full-size and here's two rather complimentary reviews I've come across on-line.
There are a number of sites in Japanese about Ichigensan (the images on this page are
from various such sites), but assuming your Japanese is on a par with mine - limited that
is to geisha, hara-kiri and kamikaze, none of which would hopefully apply here - here’s some
information I came across on those sites in English:
“On March 27, Kyoto City voted on a film to receive a subsidy of 50% (maximum of 100
million yen) of production costs, becoming the first autonomous body in Japan to
undertake such an activity. "Ichigensan", written by David Zoppetti and winner of the
Subaru Literature Award, was selected from among 32 entries to receive the subsidy. A
native of Kyoto, Isao Morimoto, directed the film, while actress Honami Suzuki took the
lead role. The story is set against the changing seasons of Kyoto, and revolves about the
meeting and subsequent love that develops between a male student from Switzerland and
a woman with impaired vision. "Ichigensan" will premiere in 1999, during the 2nd Kyoto
Film Festival.” |
“The 2nd Kyoto Film Festival was officially opened on September 19, 1999 before a full house
at the Kyoto Kaikan Hall. During the opening ceremony, Edward Atterton and Suzuki
Honami, the co-stars of "Ichigensan", and others involved in the production of the film
appeared on stage to greet the audience just before the premiere screening. "Ichigensan"
won the Kyoto Cine-Mecenat, a grant of 100 million yen paid by Kyoto City for
production of a film set in Kyoto. This is the first time a local government has subsidized
production of a film to this extent. From opening day until the end of the Film Festival on
September 26, a colourful array of films was screened at 11 cinemas throughout the
city.... The Kyoto Film Festival was designed for international appeal and to promote the
attractions of Kyoto, the birthplace of Japan's film industry.”
Ichigensan was also shown at the Mill Valley and the Melbourne International Film Festivals. |
