PARKING on DVD from June 8th

PARKING, a Taiwanese dramatic comedy, will be released on the Evokative Collection of DVDs this June 8th. PARKING is the first fiction feature by Chung Mong-Hong, who also signed the scenario and cinematography. It stars Chang Chen, who could notably be seen in EROS, 2046 and HAPPY TOGETHER by Wong Kar-wai, as well as RED CLIFF I and II by John Woo and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON by Ang Lee. The film also features Lu-Mei Kwai (SECRET, THE MOST DISTANT COURSE), Leon Dai (BUTTONMAN, SILK), Chapman To (ISABELLA, INFERNAL AFFAIRS I and II), Jack Kao (SHINJUKU INCIDENT, THE SNIPER) and the popular model Peggy Tseng in her first screen role.

On Mother’s Day in Taipei, Chen-Mo makes a dinner date with his wife, hoping to improve their estranged relationship. While buying a cake on his way home, a car double-parks next to his, preventing his exit. For the entire night, Chen-Mo searches the owner of the car and encounters a succession of strange events and eccentric characters: an old couple who has lost their only son, living with their precocious granddaughter; a one-armed barbershop owner cooking fish-head soup; a mainland Chinese prostitute trying to escape her pimp’s cruel clutches; and a Hong-Kong tailor embroiled in debt and threatened by underground loan sharks. Combining the different flavours of drama, comedy, and noir film, PARKING interweaves stories to create a moving and darkly funny film, served up in a superb cinematography that will have you transfixed to the screen.

The film started its career with a selection in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. It distinguished itself at the Golden Horse Festival of Taipei with a Best Art Direction Award and a FIPRESCI Critics Award; at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival with the Best New Talent Award and the Audience Award; and at the !ftanbul International Independent Film Festival of Istanbul with the Most Inspired Film Director Award. The film travelled the world in more than 20 International film festivals, such as the festivals of Bangkok, Pusan, Stockholm and Thessaloniki. It played in Canada at the Montreal World Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Outaouais Film Festival, followed by a limited theatrical release in key Canadian cities.

The DVD features original dialogue in Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien with optional English and French subtitles in yellow. In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane.

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BLACK on DVD from April 6th

BLACK, a French heist film, will be released on the Evokative Collection of DVDs this April 6th. Directed by Pierre Laffargue, the film stars the French rapper MC Jean Gab’1 (Banlieue 13), Carole Karemera, François Levantal and Anton Yakovlev. BLACK was filmed on location in Paris and Senegal through a Chic Films (A Prophet) production.

Black, a Senegalese bank-robber born and raised in France, is getting over a disastrous heist in which he lost nearly all of his men. He’s seriously thinking of going straight when his cousin Lamine calls him from Dakar: a briefcase full of contraband diamonds has just been deposited in the bank where he works. Thinking this will be an unbelievably easy coup, Black assembles a new gang and quickly flies to Africa. What they haven’t planned, however, is that they are far from being the only ones interested in that briefcase. The corrupt director of the bank, an arm dealer suffering from suppurating psoriasis, a gang of mercenaries from Chechnya and an Interpol agent are also set to get their hands on those diamonds.

This heist film filled with action, peppered with comedy, blaxploitation influences, African mysticism and paced to a funky soundtrack first had its World Premiere in the Fantastic Fest section of the SXSW Film Festival in Austin TX, where it seduced both the audience and critics. Screenings at the Seattle International Film Festival and London’s Film4 FrightFest followed last summer. In Canada, BLACK was first introduced at the Fantasia International Film Festival (where it won 3rd place of the Public’s Prize in the Best American or European Film category) and at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. It was released theatrically in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Vancouver, Saskatoon and Ottawa.

The DVD features French dialogue with optional English subtitles in yellow. The French Making-of, a Documentary about MC Jean Gab'1 coming to Montreal, a Capsule about the Canadian Premiere at Fantasia and the Trailer are included as extra features. The packaging includes a booklet with an exclusive Director’s note and a foreword by Tim League, founder of the Alamo Theatres and co-founder of the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane.

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DAYTIME DRINKING on DVD from February 2nd

DAYTIME DRINKING, a South-Korean comedic road-movie, will be released on the Evokative Collection of DVDs this February 2nd. Made on a micro-budget, the film seduced critics and audiences alike in the many film festivals where it played, all rallying behind Variety’s opinion that the film is “proof that a good script and simpatico direction and performances can overcome budgetary restrictions.”

DAYTIME DRINKING is the oeuvre of one man, NOH Young-seok, who took on the roles of Producer, Writer and Director, as well as Cinematographer, Production Designer, Editor and Composer of the Original Soundtrack. It stars SONG Sam-dong (GO GO 70s), YOOK Sang-yeob (HAND PHONE), KIM Kang-hee (ROOMMATES - 4 HORROR TALES) and LEE Ran-hee (WELCOME TO DONGMAKGOL).

On a drunken night out with his friends, a broken-hearted young man gets swayed into going to the countryside with them for a getaway. But when he gets there, he finds that not only have none of them have showed up, but the tiny seaside town is shuttered - no shops are open, no tourists are around, the beach is freezing, and there’s no cell phone signal. Unable to return to Seoul, he finds himself in the company of some very unusual locals and, subject to the rigid rules of Korean drinking culture, on an increasingly strange odyssey nursing a never-ending hangover. Ushering a new era of independent filmmaking in South Korea, DAYTIME DRINKING is a comedy in the spirit of STRANGER THAN PARADISE and SIDEWAYS - but with a distinctly Korean twist.

DAYTIME DRINKING started its festival career at the Jeonju International Film Festival in 2008, where it won the JJ-Star Award and the Audience Critics Award, to follow with the Locarno International Film Festival, where it won a Special Mention of the Jury and a NETPAC Award, and the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2009 it followed with the Vesoul Asian Film Festival, where it won an Inalco Jury Award and then, amongst many others, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the SXSW Film Festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Fantasia International Film Festival.

The DVD features Korean dialogue with optional English and French subtitles in yellow. A making-of, a deleted scene, an alternate take of Hyuk-jin’s nightmare and the original soundtrack are included as extra features. The packaging includes a booklet with a Director’s note and a foreword by Grady Hendrix, co-director of the New York Asian Film Festival. In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane.

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ADRIFT IN TOKYO on DVD from December 22nd

ADRIFT IN TOKYO, the film that charmed cinema enthusiasts during its limited theatrical release last spring and has already built a mini cult following, will finally be released on Evokative Collection DVDs this December 22nd.

ADRIFT IN TOKYO (TEN-TEN) is a Japanese film written and directed by Satoshi Miki (INSTANT SWAMP, TURTLES ARE SURPRISINGLY FAST SWIMMERS, DIE AND LET LIVE, IN THE POOL), based on a novel by Naoki Prize winner Yoshinaga Fujita. This walking road movie stars the “Johnny Depp of Japan” Jô Odagiri (AIR DOLL, HAZARD, RETRIBUTION), Tomokazu Miura (ALWAYS: SUNSET ON THIRD STREET, SURVIVE STYLE 5+, THE TASTE OF TEA) and Kyôto Koizumi (TOKYO SONATA, SAKURAN, SURVIVE STYLE 5+).

Leading a lazy life, Fumiya has been a university student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Fukuhara comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across Tokyo to the police station of Kasumigaseki, where he intends to turn himself in for a crime he deeply regrets. Not having much choice, Fumiya accepts the deal. Thus begins their journey which will lead them to various unusual encounters, most of all with themselves. This fascinating, humorous and wildly clever film is sure to charm you.

In 2008, ADRIFT IN TOKYO garnered praise following its screenings at the Udine Far East Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival, the Neufchâtel Fantastic Film Festival, the Raindance Film Festival, the Fantasia International Film Festival and the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, for which it was the closing film. It was also part of the Edmonton International Film Festival last fall. Besides being hailed as a masterpiece by some critics and being featured in many Best-films-of-2008 lists, ADRIFT IN TOKYO won the Kinema Junpo Award for the Best Supporting Actor, as well as the Best Scenario Award and a Special Mention of the jury for Jô Odagiri and Tomokazu Miura’s acting at the Fantasia International Film Festival.

The DVD features Japanese dialogue with optional English and French subtitles in yellow. A 71-minutes Making-of and two original Japanese TV ads are included as extra features. The packaging includes a booklet with an interview with the Director, a foreword by Todd Brown, Editor of Twitchfilm, and ADRIFT IN TOKYO Words of “wisdom”, a compilation of funny and absurd lines from the film. In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane.

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Sion Sono’s HAZARD on DVD from July 14th!

Canadian lovers of the Japanese cinema provocateur Sion Sono will finally have the chance to see his New York adventure HAZARD on DVD. Written and directed by Sion Sono (SUICIDE CLUB, NORIKO’S DINNER TABLE, STRANGE CIRCUS, EXTE: HAIR EXTENSIONS, LOVE EXPOSURE), the film debuted Joe Odagiri (ADRIFT IN TOKYO, RETRIBUTION, SHINOBI), now a Japanese star actor, as well as Jai West (LOVE EXPOSURE, BIG BANG LOVE, JUVENILE A) and Motoki Fukami (CROWS: EPISODE 0).

Shin is a Japanese university student longing to escape his meaningless existence. One day he discovers a book titled "Dangerous Ways to Walk the World" which talks about the hazards of New York City. Shin immediately jets off in search of danger and adventure, but he isn’t prepared for the harsh realities of the city. After being mugged for eveything he's got, Shin is befriended by Lee and Takeda, two Japanese-American punks who school him in the ways of crime. It's not long before Shin joins them and starts taking on all comers; robbing, stealing, and celebrating his new found freedom in New York City.

An anarchic adventure taking place in the pre-Giuliani New-York of 1991, HAZARD was filmed on location with a small budget, often with guerilla-style camerawork. Although filmed in 2002, it was only released domestivally in Japan in 2005 and was programmed in a few festivals, such as the New York Asian Film Festival and the Fantasia International Film Festival, in 2007.

The DVD features Japanese and English dialogue with optional English and French subtitles. A Making-of (in Japanese only) and an Exclusive Video Interview with Sion Sono, produced by Evokative Films, are included as extra features. The packaging includes a booklet with an interview with the Director and a foreword by Chris MaGee, founder of the Toronto J-Film Pow-wow blog, specialised in Japanese films. In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane.

It is to be noted that Sion Sono’s latest opus, the 4-hours-long LOVE EXPOSURE, will have its Canadian Premiere on July 11th and 12th at the Fantasia International Film Festival. This film was celebrated at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, where Sono was awarded the Caligari Film Award and the Fipresci Prize. This week the film also won the Grand Jury Prize at the New York Asian Film Festival.

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HANSEL & GRETEL on DVD from June 9th!

The South-Korean dark fantasy HANSEL & GRETEL, the 3rd DVD title of the Evokative Collection, will finally reach Canadian lovers of Asian genre films on June 9th. Written and directed by YIM Phil-Sung (ANTARTIC JOURNAL), the film stars CHEON Jeong-myeong and the young actors SIM Eun-kyung, JANG Yeong-Nam and JIN Ji-hee. A stellar crew contributed to the film, including Production Designer RYU Seong-hie (THE HOST, A BITTERSWEET LIFE, OLDBOY, MEMORIES OF MURDER), Cinematographer KIM Ji-yong (A BITTERSWEET LIFE) and Composer LEE Byung-woo (THE HOST, A TALE OF TWO SISTERS).

When Eun-soo crashes his car on a country road, he meets a young girl who leads him to her beautiful house in the middle of the forest, where he is welcomed by her parents and two young siblings, who appear to be the picture of the perfect family. The morning after, when he tries to get back to his car, the forest seems never-ending and inevitably leads back to the house. Soon Eun-soo realizes he’s trapped in the kids’ gloomy fairy-tale alternate reality, a world no other adult has managed to escape alive before him.

HANSEL & GRETEL got attention on the International film festival circuit after being winning a Special Mention at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (Pifan) and more recently winning the Best Film Award of the Orient Express section, as well as a Special Prize in the Fantasy Competition of the Fantasporto International Film Festival. The film also played at the Seattle International Film Festival, the London Film Festival and the Gerardmer Fantastic Film Festival, amongst many others. In Canada, HANSEL & GRETEL had the honour of being chosen as the Closing Film of the Dragons and Tigers section at the Vancouver International Film Festival, to follow with the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival and the Calgary Underground Film Festival. The film was released theatrically through the months of March and April in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane. The packaging includes a booklet with an exclusive Director’s note and a foreword by Calum Wadell, Contributing Writer at Fangoria and SFX Magazine. The DVD features English and French subtitles, a Making-of, Interviews with the Director and Cast, a Behind the scenes featurette, a look at the set design, Recommendations from other Korean Directors, the Original Korean Trailer and TV Spots, as well as Two shorts from YIM Phil-sung: BRUSHING and BABY.

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CRYING FIST on DVD from May 5th!

CRYING FIST (JUMEOGI UNDA), the 2nd DVD title of the Evokative Collection, will finally reach Canadian cinephiles on May 5th. This boxing drama from acclaimed South-Korean Director RYOO Seung-wan (ARAHAN, CITY OF VIOLENCE) stars CHOI Min-sik (OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE) and RYOO Seung-bum (ARAHAN, BLOODY TIE).

Jobless, besieged by creditors, and abandoned by his wife, the once silver medalist Tae-shikn (CHOI Min-sik) has sunken to street hustling, becoming a human punching bag. Meanwhile, young Sang-hwan's (RYOO Seung-bum) delinquent ways land him behind bars. Both men look to boxing to turn around lives gone astray, aiming for the amateur title, ultimately pitting them against each other, but more importantly, against themselves.

This critically acclaimed film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs section in 2005 and followed with many other prestigious festivals such as the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival, the Fantasia International Film Festival, the Melbourne International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, the San Diego Asian Film Festival, the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival and the Oslo International Film Festival. CRYING FIST won such awards as the FIPRESCI Award at the Cannes Film Festival; the Best Actor Award for CHOI Min-sik and the Silver Fantasia for Best Asian Film at the Fantasia International Film Festival; the Best Supporting Actress Award for NA Mun-Hee and the Best Editing Award for NAM Na-Yeong at the Grand Bell Awards; and the Best Director Award for RYOO Seung-wan at the Pusan Film Critics Association Awards.

In accordance with the innovative vocation of Evokative, the DVD packaging is an environmentally-friendly and elegant digipack made of 100% recycled materials and wrapped in a 100% biodegradable cellophane. The packaging includes a booklet with an exclusive Director’s note and a foreword by Nicolas Archambault, programmer at the Fantasia International Film Festival. The DVD offers special features such as English and French subtitles, a making-of, highlights of the film, a photo essay, the original Korean trailer and TV ads, as well as the 55-minutes original soundtrack composed by BANG Jun-suk.

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