TOKYO — The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival reached its finale on Nov. 6, with the Japanese black-and-white film “Teki Cometh” winning three main prizes: the Tokyo Grand Prix plus the best director and best actor awards.
It was the first time in 19 years for the Grand Prix to go to a work from the host country, after “What the Snow Brings” took the top prize in 2005. “Teki Cometh” depicts a 77-year-old, retired college professor living alone in an old Japanese-style house, who receives a message to his computer saying that the enemy, or “teki,” is coming.
Hong Kong actor and president of the International Competition Jury, Tony Leung, praised the movie for its humor and fresh cinematic expression. He commented with a smile, “I was nervous wondering what would happen if we couldn’t find any good films, or conversely, if they were all good. In the end, the jury members unanimously selected this great title.”
Lead actor Kyozo Nagatsuka said, “This is the story of a man who is old and alone with no help, who becomes trapped among enemies.” Expressing gratitude for the award, he jokingly added, “I was encouraged to realize that I have some allies.”
The film’s director, Daihachi Yoshida, commented, “I am truly grateful to all the staff and actors who watched over this little film from its birth to the start of its journey. I’m not yet confident of being a good director, but thanks to all of you, I’m perfectly sure this is a good film.”
The Audience Award, based on votes from the general viewers of the competition screening, went to the Chinese film “Big World,” which portrays a young man with cerebral palsy living resiliently while seeing himself as a normal person. Director Yang Lina commented onstage, “I hope the film’s narrative deeply touches your hearts. It is about a disabled young man growing up, but he is just an ordinary human being.”
The festival opened in the capital’s Hibiya, Marunouchi, Ginza and Yurakucho districts on Oct. 28. A total of 208 films were shown, of which 15 competed for the Tokyo Grand Prix.
(By Yuko Murase, The Mainichi Staff Writer)
The award winners in the competition section were as follows:
Tokyo Grand Prix / The Governor of Tokyo Award: “Teki Cometh” (Director: Daihachi Yoshida)
Special Jury Prize: “Adios Amigo” (Director: Ivan D. Gaona)
Award for Best Director: Daihachi Yoshida (“Teki Cometh”)
Award for Best Actress: Anamaria Vartolomei (“Traffic”)
Award for Best Actor: Kyozo Nagatsuka (“Teki Cometh”)
Award for Best Artistic Contribution: “My Friend An Delie” (Director: Dong Zijian)
Audience Award: “Big World” (Director: Yang Lina)
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