Though its opening film is high-profile Hollywood romance “A Star is Born,” the Tokyo International Film Festival is increasingly focusing its efforts on building bridges with Asia.
Especially Japan’s near neighbor, China.The 31st edition of the Tokyo festival got under way Thursday evening with a ceremony at the X Theater in the fashionable Roppongi district.
The event runs until Nov.
3.“Star” is a smart crowd-pleasing choice as opener, with good prospects for the Oscars and other awards, down the road.
But director-star Bradley Cooper and singing superstar, Lady Gaga, despite her massive popularity in Japan, were notable by their absence on the red carpet.
Japanese actor Shinubo Terajima stood in at the ceremony as ambassador for the film and introduced a clip.The last time Tiff had no big Hollywood guest for its opening or closing film was in 1992 — the fifth edition, when “1492: Conquest of Paradise” was the closing film.
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