Film festival report, with pics

＜English＞

2008 Jul 21

We know all you honeys made it to the Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival last month. The record number of audiences at screenings this year stand as evidence that hardly a soul missed the event. And, as many people at the venue may have noticed, lesbian artists from around the world were here in Tokyo taking part. TW will be posting interviews with these spunky media movers and shakers, but first - before we post the full-length conversations and video messages - we'll be delivering a brief report right here!

To highlight our interviews held around the TIL&GFF, TW approached Miwa Tosaki - renowned photographer of Japan's lesbian scene (her collected works are published in "Love Voice" (Artone), among others) - asking if she'd like to capture the directors and actresses in a series of photographs. The collaboration not only produced terrific results, it also gave everyone the opportunity for an excellent international exchange on lesbian culture!

The resulting series of artistic prints will be posted along with the interviews. But for now, we'll give you just a taste with a couple snapshots!

★For TW's interview with director Zero Chou, click here.

※Zero Chou (right), director of "Spider Lilies", with the cast of her newest film "Drifting Flowers", Chao Yi-Lan (left) who plays Diego and Selena Fan (center) who plays Jing.

Both of the actresses were so lovely and adorable that they inspired calls of "Kawaii!" from the audience when they made a special appearance on stage at the film festival. This was Chao Yi-Lan's first role as an actress, but it's clear that - judging by the number of Japanese women's hearts she's stolen - they hit the jackpot by casting her!

Also in Japan were Cathy DeBuono and Jill Bennett, star and supporting actress in the American release "Out at the Wedding" - the TIL&GFF's selection for its closing film this year. These two powerful forces from the American lesbian scene spoke as guests in a Q & A after the film showing.

Seeing as how Cathy and Jill are not only out and proud lesbians, but also girlfriends, TW took the opportunity of our interview with them to take them out for a special night on the town in Nichome. As you can see from their portrait below, when it comes to hot couples, Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan have nothing on these two!!

※Of "Coming Out at the Wedding" fame, actresses and girlfriends Cathy DeBuono (left) and Jill Bennett (right) in Nichome.

★For the official Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival homepage, click here.

★To return to Tokyo Wrestling's homepage, follow the link here.