These films demonstrate how innovative, dynamic story-telling can challenge the imagination and reinforce that life is an amazing experience,” said Tokuo Fukuichi, Executive Vice President of Lexus International. “The Cannes Film Festival is the perfect place to premiere this film series as it is an incredible worldwide event that celebrates creativity and original talent. We are thrilled to share this collaboration and new chapter of the Lexus brand with audiences.”
“We nurture upcoming talent from all over the world and see great value in creating opportunities for their work to be recognized,” said Harvey Weinstein. “For a young filmmaker to showcase their film during Cannes is an amazing achievement, and we’re proud to have partnered with Lexus in seeing these evocative films through, and enabling them to be shown on this world stage.”
The five films in the “Life is Amazing” series are:
BEYOND MEMORIES, directed by Cristina Molino, a Spanish filmmaker whose first film E VAS? (ARE YOU LEAVING?) was awarded in 15 Film Festivals including the International Film Festival of Locarno. Beyond Memories tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who believes that forgetting is the only way of moving on with her life. However, one day she realises that she can’t make memories from a previous life completely disappear.
ECHOES, directed by Special Problems, a multi-disciplinary studio comprising directors Campbell Hooper and Joel Kefali. Their unique visual sensibility and hands-on approach to all areas of their work has seen them win multiple awards and created high demand for their skills. Echoes follows a comedian’s 3am musings on love and life, which become the anchor to five stories of five isolated individuals.
SWIMMING IN THE AIR, directed by Justin Tipping, a recent graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory (AFI), who is the recipient of the prestigious Franklin J. Schaffner Fellow Award and the Richard P. Rogers Spirit of Excellence Award for his directorial work at the AFI. In Swimming in the Air, despite his young age, Victor knows what love is. Emily is the girl of Victor’s dreams and when he sets out to impress her, he is challenged in every way and ultimately has to risk life and limb for the sake of love.
PUPIL, directed by Chan Chung Ki, an award-winning filmmaker from Hong Kong, whose documentary Dragon Inn: The Hideout in Temple Street was officially screened in the 19th IDFA, the International Documentary Film Festival. Pupil tells the story of two artists facing a traumatic event that will ultimately shift their perspective on life, challenge their passion for art, and allow them to see the world in new, amazing ways.
A BETTER TOMORROW, directed by Mitsuyo Miyazaki, whose directorial debut short TSUYAKO screened at over 60 Film Festivals worldwide, winning 38 awards including the DGA Award for the Best Female Student Director and Grand Jury prizes at Academy Award qualified Film Festivals. In A Better Tomorrow, a water scarcity sees two orphans, Shin and Myra, following in their scientist father’s footsteps to develop a technology that could turn the tides of time and heal the earth. Dark forces cause the device to be mistakenly activated and a mysterious power unleashed, transporting them on a voyage out of this world.
More information about all five short films can be found at www.lexusshortfilms.com.
