Ishiro Honda Documentary To Screen In New York

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and yours truly in Tokyo in 2014.

Jonathan Bellés's documentary on Godzilla director Ishiro Honda will be screening in New York on December 16.

According to Rue Morgue:

It’s a heartfelt celebration of the kaiju king.

ISHIRO HONDA: MEMOIRS OF A FILM DIRECTOR will have its first commercial U.S. showing, following screenings at Sitges, G-Fest XXX and other festivals, on Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady, New York. Tickets can be ordered here. Written and directed by Jonathan Bellés and distributed by SRS Cinema, the documentary focuses on the director whose genre career began with the seminal 1954 GOJIRA/GODZILLA and encompassed seven more movies starring the Big G, as well as further classics like RODAN, MOTHRA, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and others. Later in his career, he worked alongside Akira Kurosawa on films such as KAGEMUSHA and the Oscar-winning RAN.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla Minus One" Blu-ray Arrived

The Blu-ray of Godzilla Minus One arrived in today's mail. I didn't expect it until Friday, but I'm not complaining.

It is a two-disc set with the movie in one disc and special features in the other.

I have watched some of the special features. The first one was the behind-the-scenes making of the movie. It was interesting to watch thanks to the director (our old friend Yoshikazu Ishii). Other features include: Commemorative Special Feature: Godzilla Minus One - No. 30, VFX Behind The Scenes, Event Video Collection, Tokyo International Film Festival Opening Red Carpet, Event Video Collection, Academy Awards Winner Additional Screening Trailer and Takashi Yamazaki Selection Talk Shows. Definitely lots of interesting stuff!

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and yours truly in Tokyo
 in 2014. Ishii-san directed the Behind the Scenes special feature.

I will watch the movie over dinner tonight.

Seven Years Ago At Toho Studios

Leave it to Facebook to remind me of how fast time flies.

They presented a photo taken seven years ago of Jessica Claros, Yoshikazu Ishii, Jonathan Belles and I in a conference room at Toho Studios. We were there with Belles who was interviewing Ishii-san for his documentary on Godzilla.

It seems like only yesterday were were gathered for this. 

At top, is another photo of the group taken at Toho Studios, but outside with the Godzilla statue.

Imperial Hotel Dinner, 5 Years Ago

Above, the dinner group at the Imperial Viking Sal restaurant in the Imperial Hotel.

In about an hour or so, it will be October 12 in Tokyo, Japan.

That will mark five years since I threw a dinner party at the Imperial Hotel in the Hibiya section of Tokyo with friends from Toho Co., Ltd. consisting of former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama, former Toho Los Angeles general managers Masaharu Ina and Shozo Watanabe, director Yoshikazu Ishii, translator Jessica Claros (in case translating were needed) and Denise Santos.

We dined at the Imperial Viking Sal, a buffet-style restaurant with a superb view of the National Diet Building.

Shin Godzilla was in production at the time and much of the dinner conversation centered around it.

It is amazing how quickly five years had passed. 

I was considering going to Japan this year (around about this time), but the coronavirus pandemic put a stop on that idea. Next year, perhaps.

G-FEST Stuff

Above, toys galore in the Dealers Room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Genre conventions usually have many things for attendees to see and do. These include panel discussions, movies, dealers room, games and other activities for people to spend their time and part with their cash.

Here's some of the things that G-FEST XXVI had:

Above, Godzilla in the Murray Bros. Caddyshack bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Akira Takarada in the hotel lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Mothra looks different. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Dealers Room

Autograph Tables

Above, Akira Takarada. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, directors Shusuke Kaneko and Yoshikazu Ishii chat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Modelers Room

 History of G-FEST Room

Panel Discussions and Interviews

Above, Akira Takarada interview panel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Shusuke Kaneko interview panel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Collect All Monsters panel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Bringing Godzilla Down To Size with Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some G-FEST XXVI Reunions

Above, Yoshikazu Ishii and the poster to his new movie,
Attack of the Giant Teacher. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FEST XXVI is now in the history books. This was the first G-FEST I've attended since 2009. There's been a lot of changes and, generally, all for the better.

It is still a fan-run convention and very family-friendly, just bigger.

I managed to see a number of people who I haven't seen in years (some, for many years) and the reunions have been enjoyable as we'd catch up on life's twists and turns.

Friends include Steve Ryfle, Archie Waugh (who created the cover to The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan), Lenell Bridges, Jeff Horne, Stan Hyde, Jessica Tseang, Sonoe Nakajima, Gary Guinn, Carol McCants (who, as I found out, lives in New Mexico), the Martin Arlts, Dave Nunes, Roger Wyatt, Yoshikazu Ishii (I last saw him four years ago in Tokyo at the dinner party I held) and many others.

Some I met for the first time, even though some are friends on Facebook, including Tony Isabella and Tetsuya Takarada.

Some remembered me, but I am perplexed when I try to remember some names (that's always been a curse of mine). One fellow, Melvin and I had a long and enjoyable discussion about the Silver Age Legion of Super-Heroes. I think his last name is Moore. (If it isn't, sorry, Melvin!)

Robert Scott Field was unable to attend due to a schedule conflict and his presence was missed.

Some photos:

Above, Stan Hyde. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Diane Dougherty of Clawmark Toys. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Steve Ryfle and Jessica Tseang. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Prince Archie" Waugh. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Lenell Bridges and Armand.

Above, Jessica Tseang and Armand. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

Toho Expanding Hollywood Operations

Above, Masaharu Ina and Armand at the Hibiya Godzilla statue in February 2014.

Back in the days when I lived in the Los Angeles area and worked on different projects for G-FAN, G-FEST and others, I worked with Toho's Century City (near West Los Angeles) for assistance and permissions.

I haven't been in contact with the Los Angeles office for a number of years, although I did throw a dinner party in October 2015 for several past and present executives of Toho including Masaharu Ina and Shozo Watanabe, who helmed the Century City office. Former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama and director Yoshikazu Ishii also attended. It was in appreciation for all the assistance they had given me over the years.

Above, Shozo Watanabe at Toho Studios in November 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What I am gathering from an article from Slashfilm.com, the L.A. office had been "dormant" for the past several years. But now, it is set for a revival and expansion.

According to the article:

The Japanese studio behind Godzilla is planning to expand to Hollywood. Toho, the movie group responsible for the creation of the iconic giant lizard, is expanding a subsidiary in the U.S. with the goal of working more with Hollywood. This may put in question the fate of Legendary’s mammoth MonsterVerse, the first series of Godzilla films to be completely produced by a Hollywood Studio.  

Variety reported that Toho is expanding to the U.S. through an existing international subsidiary which it is reviving with a $14 million investment. The subsidiary, called Toho International Inc., has existed since 1953 but has long remained dormant until now. 

Toho International Inc., is expanding to Los Angeles as part of a “so-called breakthrough strategy” that is part of Toho’s “Vision 2021 Plan.” This plan consists of Toho implementing an accelerated international strategy and enhanced “character business” centered around the Godzilla property. “We will work toward the full implementation of JAPAN IP (Japanese entertainment content by Toho and others) on a global scale,” the plan says.

Above, the October 2015 dinner party at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

The Variety article had been posted since April, but it is only now that I read it.

To read more, go here. 

"5 Cultural Tips For Taking Photos In Japan"

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and Armand in Tokyo. Did we goof by having Ishii-san in the middle? 

Everyone who travels does so with a still camera (film or digital) or a video recorder of some kind. I have been such a traveling shutterbug since I was a kid.

In Japan, photography is a very popular hobby or advocation. But, when in Japan, there are some guidelines that a visitor should follow so not to upset anyone.

Japan Today has an article on "5 Cultural Tips For Taking Photos In Japan" that should help you to keep out of trouble.

They begin with:

TOKYO —Believe it or not, there’s a Japanese way of taking photos. We’ve compiled some cultural guidelines as well as language tips to help you take happy snappies on your next trip to Japan. 

Naturally, the first rule of photography in any country is to obey the rules. Always look for signs at tourist areas to make sure it’s okay to take pictures. If you see the “No photos” or “No flash,” do comply, no matter how much you want to capture the moment. 

But there are other not-so-obvious things to consider when taking snapshots in Japan, especially when local people are involved. The following hints should help you understand photography protocol in Japan. Keep in mind that these are not hard and fast rules, just guidelines based on our collective experience working and playing in Japan. No one says you have to follow them, but you know, when in Rome…

To see what the 5 tips are, go here. 

Power Players At Tokyo's Imperial Hotel

Above, the dinner group at the Imperial Viking restaurant at the Imperial Hotel.

The Imperial Hotel, the one that Steve Martin (Raymond Burr) stayed at while in Tokyo (while there was still a Tokyo) during Godzilla's rampage, saw a group of power players at the hotel's Imperial Viking restaurant gather for a relaxed dinner.

Over the years, I have been treated to many a courtesy and assists by friends from Toho Co., Ltd. and I thought this trip would provide a good opportunity to host a thank-you dinner to return the favor and show my appreciation.

The Imperial Viking was chosen as it was able to accommodate dinner parties and I was seeking an elegant place to treat everyone. The restaurant is on the hotel's 17th floor and had commanding views of Hibiya Park, the Imperial Palace and the National Diet Building.

Above, the view of the lit-up National Diet Building from our table at the Imperial Viking restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those joining Denise and I were Mr. G-FEST himself, Yoshikazu Ishii; former Toho L.A. General Managers Masaharu Ina (now with Toho Cinemas division) and Shozo Watanabe (now with Toho's legal division); former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama; translator and Tohoku documentary star at NHK World, Jessica Claros.

The conversation ranged from what everyone's doing today, remembering Koichi Kawakita, Shin Godzilla (now in production), Godzilla Final Wars, Japanese cuisine, Japan's beaches, Toho's Malibu estate (where Toho's general managers live during their tenures in Los Angeles), my fondness for cheesecake and many other subjects.

Denise's son Aiden slept through the whole dinner.

Record 13.4 Million Foreign Tourists Welcomed To Japan In 2014

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and Armand at the Tsukuba Hotel in Ueno last February.

A record 13.4 million foreign tourists came to Japan in 2014, which is up about 30% from 2013's record of 10 million foreign visitors. This is according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) estimate as reported in an article by Nikkei Asian Review.

According to the article, foreign visitors spent about 2.03 trillion yen ($17.2 billion) during their Japan visits. This was 40% more in tourist spending from the previous year.

It is remarkable that Japan has seen record numbers of foreign visitors during the past two years. This is especially true after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

They wrote:

Overseas travelers are increasingly a force to be reckoned with in Japan. 

In 2011, the number of foreign tourists dropped after the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns hit the east coast of Japan that March. The number of visitors started rising again in 2012, and surpassed the threshold of 10 million for the first time in 2013.

Jonathan Bellés of Spain and I were just two of the 13.4 million foreign visitors when we visited Japan last February. So, we did our part in helping Japan hit the record.

Much of the increase was due to the weakening yen and the easing of some visa requirements, particularly for other Asian countries. The weakening yen made goods in Japan comparatively cheaper.

Will Japan top last year's record number of foreign visitors this year?

To read more, go here.

2014: Good times with good people!

Above, at the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in February.

Above, the Superman plaque dedication in August. Daily News photo.

New "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Trailer Released

Spanish producer and director Jonathan Bellés has unveiled a new trailer for his doctoral project documentary, Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga.

The trailer, with an original music score, features Godzilla suit-actors Haruo Nakajima and Kenpachiro Satsuma, actor Akira Takarada and directors Shusuke Kaneko and Masaaki Tezuka.

The trailer also features shots of the Lucky Dragon No. 5, the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, the torii gate at Miyajima as well as the Godzilla statue and the Seven Samurai mural at the main entrance of Toho Studios in Setagaya, Tokyo.

Above, Jonathan Bellés at the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I joined Bellés in Japan last February when he began his interviews, starting with special effects Eiichi Asada (Godzilla x Mechagodzilla, Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and Godzilla Final Wars) and first assistant special effects director Yoshikazu Ishii (Godzilla Final Wars). 

"Godzilla & Hiroshima" Documentary Update At Universe G

Above, Jonathan Bellés with the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Universe G.com has posted an article on the progress of the documentary, "Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga" by Jonathan Bellés of Spain.

They talked with producer/director Bellés about the project and asked him how the documentary is proceeding.

The article begins with:

Spanish Film Director and Producer John Bels began his journey to produce and direct the nonprofit documentary film “Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga” in 2013 and recently the documentary is in the final stages to release its first trailer.

Universe-G recently talked to producer and director John Bels and he told us the project is moving along and he has plenty of footage and interviews to complete his documentary. The new trailer is set to be released sometime this summer  and the Documnetary sometime in early 2015. Director Bels informed Universe-G he will give us a definitive date of its released as soon as the trailer is nearly completed.

I joined Bellés in Japan in February and sat in on his interviews with Special Effects Director Eiichi Asada and director Yoshikazu Ishii at Toho Studios.

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and Armand in Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

At The Tsukuba Hotel

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and Armand in the lobby of the Tsukuba Hotel in Ueno, Tokyo.

It has been a little over a month since I left Japan. Time sure does fly!

I don't believe that I posted the above photo before. It is of Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii (assistant special effects director of Godzilla Final Wars) and myself at the Tsukuba Hotel lobby in Ueno the night of Bellés's arrival in Japan. I had arrived in Japan a few days before and we met up in the hotel lobby that evening. Bellés had a much easier time getting into Tokyo than I did and arrived that afternoon from Spain.

Bellés was in Japan to conduct interviews and to visit Hiroshima for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga.

A Familiar Face On NHK World's "Journeys In Japan"

Above, Armand, Jessica Claros, Yoshikazu Ishii and Jonathan Bellés at Toho Studios last month.

While watching the Japanese station, NHK World tonight, I watched a program, Journeys In Japan, about different communities in the Tohoku region of Japan and how they fared three years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Then there was a surprise! The show featured a girl touring the region who looked very familiar.

Sure enough, it was Jessica Claros, who assisted Jonathan Bellés with interview translations in Japan last month. I met Jessica at Toho Studios when Bellés was interviewing Eiichi Asada and Yoshikazu Ishii.

To read about the program, go here.

UPDATE (01/02/17):

During my October 2015 trip to Japan, I held a dinner party at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo consisting of executives from Toho Co., Ltd. I invited Jessica Claros to the dinner party to assist in interpreting, if necessary.

Here is a photo from the dinner: