Fantastic Film Festival opens in Yubari

Friday 27th February, 12:10 PM JST

YUBARI —

Actress Keiko Takahashi, 54, and actor-comedian Guts Ishimatsu, 59, were among the crowd of roughly 600 in Yubari City on Thursday, to take part in the opening of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival 2009, which will run until March 2.

About 60 films will be shown during the five-day event, including the Japan premiere of multiple Oscar-winning flick “Slumdog Millionaire.” The festival began in 1990 but was canceled in 2006 due to the ongoing financial difficulties faced by the small town since the closing of its coal mines in the 1980s.

The event was resurrected last year courtesy of a newly formed non-profit organization.

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4 Comments

Badsey at 08:29 PM JST - 27th February

Much ado Yubari !!
Sarge at 12:26 PM JST - 28th February

"Guts Ishimatsu"

He was good as a yakuza in Black Rain:

Nick: How ya doin' sweetheart? You do remember me, don't you?

Guts: Eigo wakaranai - nihongo hanase!
Pukey2 at 08:45 PM JST - 28th February

I heard the last time they had the film festival in Yubari, half the people fell asleep half way through the movies, some died in their sleep, and a few others had heart attacks. Others forget to bring their dentures and had to skip the popcorn.
PaizuriSan at 12:15 PM JST - 5th March

Famous actor-comedian? Did someone say Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu?Q