Latest news with #Kyo
Japan Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
‘I Have a S/e/c/r/e/t' gives teen angst a whimsical twist
Teenagers have secrets and, in Japanese films, the biggest is often a crush on a fellow student. That is the plot driver in Shun Nakagawa's aptly titled 'I Have a S/e/c/r/e/t,' but this sweet-spirited ensemble drama, based on a novel by Yoru Sumino, also reveals deeper truths about the inner lives of its five main characters, expressed with touches of delightfully whimsical fantasy. Though the film's central storyline is relatable to anyone who has suffered the agonies of adolescent romance, its main quintet are all unique individuals with hidden facets, not stock characters. The first that we meet is Kyo (Daiken Okudaira), a considerate kid who is attracted to the popular, effervescent Naoko Miki (Natsuki Deguchi) aka 'Mickey,' but tells himself he is fine just being her classmate. He has, however, a power that sets him apart: He can see what others are thinking, in the form of digitally generated question marks that appear above their heads when they are puzzled, exclamation points when they are excited and so on. In fact, each member of the quintet possesses a power that enables them to pierce people's facades. This psychic edge doesn't make them invulnerable, though. They all have typical teenage worries and anxieties that they try hard to conceal. That includes Mickey, who can tell if others are pleased when a gold bar hovering in front of their heart tilts to the right, or displeased when it tilts to the left. (If they are in a tizzy, the bar spins.) But beneath her bubbly public persona is a confused girl who sees everyone else deciding their futures post-graduation and has no idea what to do with her own. 'I want to be a hero,' she tells a nonplussed teacher. 'Not a heroine, a hero.' In her circle is Kyo's best buddy, Hirofumi (Masaya Sano), aka 'Zuka,' who is so cool on the surface yet so insecure underneath, as well as Mickey's pals Aya (Hinako Kikuchi), aka 'Para,' the girl boss of the class who isn't as confident as she seems, and Noe (Ikoi Hayase) aka 'Elle,' a shy girl who stops going to school for two months because she thought Kyo had taken a dislike to her. (It eventually comes to light that it was all a misunderstanding, which Elle learns to her immense relief.) The film unfolds in five chapters, each devoted to one of the quintet, from their sophomore to senior years. The deftly structured script by Nakagawa follows the usual flow of high school life, minus anything resembling melodrama. For example, Para scripts and directs a play for the school drama festival starring Mickey as a costumed hero straight out of a tokusatsu (special effects) TV show, which is a dream come true for Mickey until she forgets her final speech — but is saved by Para's brilliant adlibbing. There is also a school trip, during which momentous secrets, most importantly Kyo's feelings for Mickey, start to spill out. (We also learn how Mickey came to supply all her friends except Kyo with an odd, if somehow fitting, nickname.) Despite its standard plot tropes, the film creates a supportive atmosphere in which Kyo, Mickey and the others bond and grow, secure in the knowledge that someone will lend an ear and have their back. Too good to be true? Perhaps for many, but the imaginatively told and emotionally resonant 'I Have a S/e/c/r/e/t' made me want to believe in its warm, private world.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Kasashima Gallery Showcasing Eastern Aesthetics Blending Kyoto Folding Fans and Chinese Ink Art at the Carrousel du Louvre
PARIS, FR / ACCESS Newswire / April 4, 2025 / Art Shopping 2025 officially opened on April 4 at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France. Among the highlights is Kasashima Gallery from the Kansai region of Japan, presenting its thematic exhibition 'La Beauté dans Chaque Éventail', which has already attracted considerable attention from European and American art enthusiasts. The works on display merge the elegance of Chinese ink art with the craftsmanship of Japanese Kyo folding fans, not only showcasing the results of cross-cultural collaboration but also offering visitors a fresh perspective on the fusion of Eastern cultures. Kasashima Gallery's themed section 'La Beauté dans Chaque Éventail' is drawing the attention of international visitors. (Photo via Kasashima Gallery) In the 'La Beauté dans Chaque Éventail' section, each piece is created on Kyo folding fans produced by century-old ateliers, combining elements of Chinese landscape painting, bird-and-flower painting, traditional calligraphy, hard-nib calligraphy, and contemporary art. The exhibition has drawn visitors from Europe, Asia, and North America, who have been stopping to admire the intricate details of the works. Many guests have expressed keen interest in how the combination of Kyo folding fans and Chinese ink art creates a unique artistic expression. A visitor from Luxembourg commented that the artworks are full of oriental elements and are profoundly captivating. The flowers painted with ink and the fluid calligraphy vividly demonstrate the artists' mastery of Chinese art techniques. Notably, presenting paintings on Japanese folding fans also brings new interpretations to traditional Japanese craftsmanship on the international stage, making it a creative highlight of the show. The guides from Kasashima Gallery are explaining the creative concepts behind the exhibits to international visitors. (Photo via Kasashima Gallery) Kasashima Gallery has invited a strong lineup of artists for this exhibition, including Taiwanese artists Chen Meng-Huan, Angela Lin, Wu Li-Ying, Cheng Tzu-Leong, Chou Yao-Tsung, Chang Yu-Hsuan, Wu Pei-Chi, Huang Tzu-Ying, Wang Guang-Hwa, Chien Hsuan-Ming, Ho Ming-Chu, Yang Ching-Chiang, Wu Hsiu-Yin, Tsai Yu-Yun, Lu Lan-Hsin, Kigawa Kokoro, as well as Japanese artists Sakaguchi Juri and Wada Chiari. According to Kasashima's PR manager, Yu Le, the exhibition is not only a concrete practice of cultural exchange but also an effort to promote the contemporary value of Eastern art to a wider international audience. Kasashima Gallery has long been committed to the international exchange and promotion of Asian art, actively participating in exhibitions in Spain, the United States, Italy, Japan, and beyond, helping Asian art to connect with the global stage. In the future, the gallery will continue to promote Asian artists worldwide through international exhibitions and digital curatorial platforms. A large crowd flocked to the VIP night of Art Shopping 2025. (Photo via Kasashima Gallery) Art Shopping 2025 runs from April 4 to 6 at the Carrousel du Louvre. As one of the major annual events for contemporary art salons, this year's exhibition continues to promote the diversity of artistic languages, featuring a wide array of works, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, design, and crafts, showcasing the richness of contemporary artistic practices in terms of cultural context, materials, and creative concepts. Visitors are welcome to experience the unique charm of this international art event in person. Media Contacts:
