Raindance Film Festival 2015 Lineup Announced

Yes it's that time of year again and film festival mania is about to take hold. First out of the gate is Raindance - the annual celebration of independent film which has once again brought us some of the most eagerly awaited Japanese movies of the present time. The full lineup is still being revealed but here are the highlights so far:

Asleep

Starring actress of the moment Sakura Ando and based on a novel by Banana Yoshimoto, Asleep tells the story of a young woman struggling against the lethargy which engulfs her after the suicide of a friend.

Fires on the Plain

The latest film from Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo the Iron Man, Tokyo Fist, Bullet Ballet etc) is making its defacto UK premiere after its screening at the Glasgow Film Festival was unfortunately cancelled for technical reasons and tells the harrowing tale of Japanese soldiers left behind in the Philippines as they face the oncoming Americans and hostile local forces.

Obon Brothers

Comedy starring Ken Mitsuishi and Kiyohiko Shibukawa in which a failed film director returns to his home town to sort out personal and familial problems.

Rolling

Drama starring Takahiro Miura in which a teacher tries to blackmail a former student with an illicit recording.

Slum-Polis

Science fiction drama set in post apocalyptic Japan ruled by gangs and drugs.

That's It

Latest movie from Gakuryu Ishii (formerly known as Sogo Ishii - The Crazy Family, Angel Dust, Isn't Anyone Alive) starring Shota Sometani (Himizu, Wood Job, Lesson of Evil) as a young man searching for his identity and trying to save the woman he loves.

The Birth of Saké

A documentary about the 140 year old Yoshida Brewery.

Festival Passes are available to purchase now from the festival's Official Website with individual tickets on sale from 9th September. The 23rd Raindance Film Festival will take place at the VUE Piccadilly in Central London from 23rd September to 4th October 2015 and we'll be sure to bring you call the latest news as we get it!