The 10 Best Movies by Third Window Films

Memories of Matsuko (Tetsuya Nakashima, 2006)

As with Miki Satoshi, I've always loved and worked with Tetsuya Nakashima and his trademark pop and energetic style. Actually Nakashima's other films which were released by Third Window (Confessions & Kamikaze Girls) were both much bigger sellers and are probably easier to recommend in general, though Matsuko is my favourite of his and probably one of my favourite films of all time. There's just nothing like a Disney-inspired mash-up of Gone With the Wind mixed with Citizen Kane's storytelling, told through insane musical numbers depicting a very depressing and melodramatic story. It's got a bit of everything to it, a film I truly adore, and the first Japanese film release of Third Window Films.

Kotoko (Shinya Tsukamoto, 2011)

Considering all the Tsukamoto films I've released (he's one of my favourite directors of all time), many people may wonder why Kotoko makes the list over more well-known titles such as “Tetsuo”, “Tokyo Fist”, etc., but it's the fact “Kotoko” is still quite unknown as to why I keep on championing it. I still remember my first experience of watching “Kotoko” in the cinema in Japan. I was almost paralyzed by fear and sweat profusely throughout. It was an experience I'll never forget and I desperately wanted to share that filmmaking power with others. While Tsukamoto is a big name and many of his films have been released worldwide, “Kotoko” is one which never made it out there (I think our release is the only one in the West), and I feel that it's a shame. It's really a powerful film and should be seen by more out there!

Love Exposure (Sion Sono, 2008)

Like Tsukamoto, Sono is a director which has become quite synonymous with Third Window Films, as we've released 7 of his films (including co-producing “The Land of Hope”) and a documentary about him (“The Sion Sono”). Though, our first release of his was my favourite and I still think it's his best film by far. I remember seeing it before its premiere in Berlin and loving it, but even though it took a while to get agreed on, I'm still proud to have been one of the first in the world to handle it. Whenever I'm selling DVDs at fair somewhere, my hundred-a-day pitch is “Are you interested in a 4 hour long film about cult religions, upskirt pants photography and true love?” – and while it confuses many, it certainly intrigues a lot. The film itself is totally unique and totally Japanese, and is one which should be seen by all lovers of Japanese cinema. I still remember putting my back out carrying the 35mm film to the ICA cinema too…

Fine, Totally Fine (Yosuke Fujita, 2008)

While it was Fujita's follow up to Fine in “Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats” which I produced and spent a lot more time on personally, it's “Fine, Totally Fine” which I prefer more actually. Maybe as it was the debut film of Fujita and therefore my first experience with his comic style, but the film's charming and quirky characters and qualities really touched me and I fell in love with the film immediately. Similar to Miki Satoshi, but also with his own qualities, Yosuke Fujita is a really underappreciated director and unfortunately since his films bomb in Japan we probably won't be able to see more of them in the future. Like many other TWF releases, this also was the first (and only) Western release of the film.

Hana-bi (Takeshi Kitano, 1997)

While releasing “Hana-bi” and the other Kitano films sort of went away from the raison d'être of Third Window (releasing films not before released in the West), being the first to re-release Hana-bi and his others on bluray was of great personal pride. Actually, “Hana-bi” is in my personal Top 10 of all time, and I actually never thought a company as small and insignificant as mine would be able to release such a famous and monumental film. As Third Window is not big, the releasing of non-known films is not just a personal taste, but also a necessity due to lack of funds, but thanks in no small part to “The Raid”'s Gareth Evans I was able to release films from the great Kitano, and of them my favourite Hana-bi.