SUMMER SCREENINGS
Vue Entertainment is banking on anime’s growing U.K. fanbase with a quartet of theatrical releases anchored by the highly anticipated “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle,” set to bow Sept. 12.
The exhibition chain will roll out two newly remastered 4K classics from acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda alongside a fresh Hatsune Miku feature. “Summer Wars” launched Aug. 3, and will be followed by “Wolf Children” on Aug. 17 and “Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing” on Aug. 31.
“Summer Wars” follows a shy math prodigy who accidentally unleashes a rogue AI threatening global digital infrastructure. “Wolf Children” centers on a young mother raising two half-human, half-wolf offspring across a decade-spanning narrative exploring themes of identity and acceptance. The Miku film introduces a twist on the virtual idol phenomenon, featuring a version of the character who has lost her singing ability.
September’s “Demon Slayer” sequel, a huge hit in Japan, reunites the demon-slaying trio of Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke for what Vue is positioning as “the most anticipated anime movie of the year.”
“The anime fandom continues to grow here in the U.K., and we’re proud to be part of that community,” said Rachel Bland, senior screen content manager at Vue. “We recognize that watching anime isn’t just about the visuals on screen; it’s about the atmosphere, the sound, and the feeling of being completely immersed in a story. That’s why we’re so excited to be screening these films as they were meant to be seen – on the big screen.”
MASTERS’ MILESTONE
The 30th Busan International Film Festival will showcase “Defining Moments of Asian Cinema,” featuring an unprecedented gathering of acclaimed directors and actors Sept. 17-26.
The special program marks the third iteration of “Asian Cinema 100,” developed with Pusan National University Film Institute and Korean Film Archive. Following comprehensive surveys of 161 industry figures from 34 countries, organizers selected 119 films, with 10 titles screening at the festival.
Confirmed attendees include Jafar Panahi (“This Is Not a Film”), Marziyeh Meshkiny (“The Day I Became a Woman”), Jia Zhang-Ke (“Still Life”), Tsai Ming-Liang and Lee Kang-sheng (“Goodbye, Dragon Inn”), Wang Bing (“Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks”), Johnnie To (“Election”), Lee Chang-dong (“Burning”), Park Chan-wook (“Old Boy”) and Yagira Yuya (“Nobody Knows”).
The program will feature talk sessions exploring Asian cinema’s creative dimensions. BIFF will publish a commemorative book titled “Defining Moments of Asian Cinema — 100 Best Asian Films Since 1996,” including essays from filmmakers and critics.