In the context of the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival, Asian film stars and top entertainment executives flocked to the Le Grand Hotel to celebrate Japanese film and culture at Japan’s glamorous 2015 Cannes party.
Asian film stars and international industry players came out in full force Monday night to celebrate Japanese cinema and culture at Japan’s “KANPAI NIGHT” at Le Grand Hotel de Cannes.
Guests attend the Japan Day Project Party during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2015 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Japan Day Project)
The glamorous evening presented a special opportunity for film industry professionals to meet and network with Japan’s leading entertainment executives, along with a cross section of today’s top Japanese directors and actors.
Kumamon attends the Japan Day Project Party during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2015 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
As the party began, the leaders of Japan’s largest entertainment companies were introduced to the crowd of over 1,100 distinguished guests, inviting them to raise their glasses to Japanese cinema in a group “kanpai” toast (Japanese for “cheers”).
Notable Asian film figures in attendance included:
Tadanobu Asano, star of “Journey to the Shore” (Un Certain Regard, 2015) and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Japan-set film, “Silence”
Eri Fukatsu, star of “Journey to the Shore” (Un Certain Regard, 2015)
Naomi Kawase, director of “AN” (Un Certain Regard, 2015)
Masatoshi Nagase, star of “AN” (Un Certain Regard, 2015)
Jia Zhangke, director of “Mountains May Depart” (Cannes Competition, 2015)
Zhao Tao, actress of “Mountains May Depart” (Cannes Competition, 2015)
Actors Tadanabu Asano, Eri Fukatsu, Matasatoshi Nagase and Naomi Kawase attend the Japan Day Project Party during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2015 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Japan Day Project)
The Japanese executives present included:
Tsuguhiko Kadokawa (Chairman of the Board, Executive Officer, KADOKAWA Corporation)
Kyoko Kashiwabara (Director, Media and Content Industry Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI))
Yokichi Osato (Representative, Director and Chairman, AMUSE INC.)
Jay Sakomoto (President & CEO, Shochiku Co., Ltd.)
Yasushi Shiina (Director General, Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF))
Yoshishige Shimatani (President, Toho Co., Ltd.)
Tom Yoda (Chairman of the Board/President /CEO – GAGA Corporation; Member of the Policy Board & Chairman, Sub Committee on Entertainment & Contents, Committee on Industrial Affairs – Japan Business Federation)
Kyoko Kashiwabara, Yasushi Shiina, Yokichi Osato, Kundo Koyama, Tom Yoda, Jay Sakomoto, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa and Yoshishige Shimatani attend the Japan Day Project Party during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2015 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Japan Day Project)
Japan’s “KANPAI NIGHT” party was produced by creative visionary Kundo Koyama, creator of the world famous “Iron Chef” TV series and writer of the Oscar-winning film “Departures” (2009), among many other successful endeavors.
To provide all party guests with a memorable Japanese cultural experience, Mr. Koyama recruited six of the most celebrated Japanese chefs working in France to produce a special tasting menu of Japanese delicacies. Fine Japanese SAKE was also served.
All guests were treated to a special souvenir gift set consisting of Ochoko (delicate sake cups), handmade by aspiring masters in Kyoto, according to traditional techniques, and Furoshiki (a beautiful type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport gifts and other goods).
The 2015 “KANPAI NIGHT” party in Cannes was produced by Japan Day Project.
