Like bedlam on the red carpet

“GUARDIANS of the Galaxy” director James Gunn is interviewed on the red carpet at the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival opening ceremony. AFP

TOKYO—Trust Filipino filmmaker Khavn (he has dropped his surname De la Cruz) to make a splash on the red carpet during the glitzy opening rites of the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival on Thursday.

Earlier that day, organizers were closely monitoring weather reports; it had been raining for the past two days. Had gloomy skies persisted, they would have moved the ceremony, set at the open-air Arena of Ropponggi Hills, elsewhere.

It cleared up in the nick of time. But intermittent showers had allowed stylish Tokyo residents in three-piece suits or frilly frocks to brandish large transparent umbrellas—some sort of an antifashion statement.

Khavn, whose film, “Ruined Heart: Another Love Story Between a Criminal and a Whore” is vying for the top prize in the fest’s main competition, gleefully appropriated the typhoon-friendly fashion accessory.

ACTORS clad in different “Ultraman” body suits make an appearance. AFP

He arrived in a blindingly white suit, under a soaked umbrella, which is a recurring symbol in his film as well. He was surrounded by his “international” team—Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle, German coproducer Stephan Holl, Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano and Italian actor Marcello Busini, who wore a papier-mâché horse’s head.

Khavn had brought along Filipino actors Vim Nadera, who turned up in red barong and fuchsia wig, and Andre Puertollano, coach of the Ateneo Muay Thai team.

Asano, a superstar in the same league as Johnny Depp in Japan, drew the loudest cheers from the crowd.

Also at the opening was Filipino filmmaker Pepe Diokno, accompanied by producer Bianca Balbuena. Their film, “Above the Clouds,” is competing in the Asian Future section.

JAPANESE actor Tadanobu Asano appears in Khavn’s full-length feature film “Ruined Heart.” AFP

Most of the journalists were herded into a theater to watch the proceedings on a big screen, but the real action was on the red carpet. It was like bedlam as filmmakers, stars and jurors, led by “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn, arrived, flanked by media men on one side and camera-toting autograph hunters on the other.

Kimonos, tuxedos

Where else would there be kimono-clad actresses, tuxedoed directors, the entire “Ultraman” posse and an anime character named Titan (who was so naked, every sinewy fiber of his muscles was in full view) doing the same traditional walk?

Amid the craziness, a Reuters cameraman was overheard asking, “Who’s that guy with the horse’s head?” His colleague could only shrug his shoulders.

Doyle had more tricks up his sleeve during the sold-out gala screening of “Ruined Heart” Friday night at the Roppongi Hills Toho Cinema 7.

YUMI Adachi (center), in traditional kimono costume, is in “A Courtesan with Flowered Skin.” AFP

While Khavn and Nadera performed a slightly risque thanksgiving ritual, Doyle tossed sheets of tissue paper at the befuddled audience, saying, “May you cry as much watching, as we did making, this film.”

There were quick quips and much levity during the open forum, but a few serious cineastes managed to squeeze in thought-provoking questions on Khavn’s music and directing style.

Wearing a green trench coat with a Sponge Bob print, Khavn, who composed the leitmotif in the soundtrack, explained: “The songs tell the story. Next time, [experience] the film with eyes closed.”

Mumbai-based Russian-German actress Elena Kazan, clad in a delicate pink sari, recalled that Khavn always reminded his actors to go with the flow. “We spoke different languages on the set, so it was all about the feeling in our hearts.”

RIE MIYAZAWA (left), “Pale Moon” actress, is greeted by fans. AFP

Nadera acknowledged that the director is “antinarrative, antiplot, antieverything, but proactor.” But he sounded disappointed that his bold scene, where he appeared in red underwear, had been deleted.