News
Best Documentary for “Ushiku” in Croatia
At the closing ceremony on October 11, “Ushiku” received the award for Best Feature Documentary at the Apox Film Festival (Oct. 4-11) in Veli Losinj, Croatia. In a statement on social media, Thomas wrote, “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing about the treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers to Japan with people all over the world. Thank you for your continued support.” JURY STATEMENT FROM APOX FILM FESTIVAL, CROATIA “The quality of filmmaking, the story, the flow, keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, and opens up new perspectives that others should hear and learn about. Quality work made in such a way […]
“Best Documentary Director award” at 2022 Harlem IFF for “Ushiku”
Thomas received the Best Documentary Director award at the 2022 Harlem International Film Festival (NYC) for “Ushiku”. In a statement released on social media, he wrote: “First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the courageousness of the film’s participants in speaking out. As a director, I believe it is my role not to speak for those who have shared their stories, but to help carry those voices out into the world. I pray all who hear the voices of the film’s participants will see themselves in the other and be moved to demand just immigration policies and the elimination of discrimination.” 2022ハーレム国際映画祭（アメリカ・ニューヨーク）にて、『Ushiku』が最優秀ドキュメンタリー監督賞を受賞したことは、大変光栄なことです。 この映画の参加者たちが勇気をもって「真実を伝えるために」発言したことを重く受け止め、敬意を表します。 監督としての私の役割は、当事者の言葉を代弁するのではなく、その声を世の中に届けることです。『牛久』を観た人々が、当事者のおかれた状況を他人事ではなく、もしそこにいるのが自分や家族であったらと受け止め、公正な難民政策と差別のない社会の実現のため、行動をおこされるよう祈ります。
Thomas honoured with Freedom of the Press Japan award
At the 2022 Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan Freedom of the Press Awards, Thomas was honoured with the Freedom of the Press Japan Award for “Ushiku”.
“Ushiku” included in Third Window Films’ Top 10 Japanese films of 2021
“Ushiku” has been included in Third Window Films‘ Top 10 Japanese films of 2021!!
“Ushiku” to be released in Japanese cinemas in 2022!
BREAKING: the distributor 太秦株式会社 (Uzamasa) has just announced “Ushiku” will open in Tokyo’s イメージフォーラム (Image Forum) theatre on February 26 with a nationwide theatrical release to follow! I am in awe of the courage of the participants in the film who continue to speak out and share about their experiences in Japanese immigration detention. And I am extremely grateful to our team and supporters. 2022.2.26(土)より シアター・イメージフォーラムほか 全国順次公開決定！
“Ushiku” included in the Japan Foundation’s “Japanese Movies to Represent 2021”
（日本語下記） The Japan Foundation’s “The Japanese Film Festival (JFF)”, a project to promote Japanese film around the world, has just released it’s annual list “Japanese Movies to Represent 2021, Selected by 7 Experts from Around the World”. I am extremely honoured for “Ushiku” to be selected by Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival’s Marion Klomfass where she wrote “One of the most important films this year for me was Ushiku by Thomas Ash”. READ: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/read/column/2021_japanese_movies/ JFF（Japanese Film Festival）は、国際交流基金が実施する海外への日本映画促進事業です。 「世界の映画人7人が選ぶ、2021年を象徴する日本映画」 今年の「日本映画祭ニッポン・コネクション」でニッポン・ドックス賞を受賞したトーマス・アッシュ監督の『牛久』は、私にとって2021年の映画のなかでもとくに重要な1本。牛久の「入国管理センター」で極限状態に晒された収容者へのインタビューを隠しカメラによって撮影し、日本の強硬な難民政策のおぞましさをあぶり出した問題作だ。 マリオン・クロムファス ドイツのフランクフルト・アム・マインで開催される日本映画祭「ニッポン・コネクション」のディレクター。 世界の映画人7人が選ぶ、2021年を象徴する日本映画
“Ushiku” voted one of the 20 Best Japanese Movies of 2021
Ushiku has been included in Asian Movie Pulse’s annual lists of the “Best Japanese Movies” and “Best Asian Films”. More information on the 20 Best Japanese Movies of 2021 and the 25 Best Asian Films of 2021 can be found on the DocumentingIan Blog.