Ang Lee honored with prestigious Praemium Imperiale award
Celebrating a cinematic visionary
Renowned Taiwan-born director Ang Lee, known for masterpieces like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Life of Pi, and Brokeback Mountain, has been named one of the five recipients of the Praemium Imperiale award by the Japan Art Association. The ceremony is set to take place in Tokyo on November 19.
Each awardee will receive JPY15 million (approximately $104,000), along with a testimonial letter and a medal. This year’s other honorees include Sophie Calle (painting, France), Doris Salcedo (sculpture, Colombia), Shigeru Ban (architecture, Japan), and Maria João Pires (music, Portugal/Switzerland).
The Praemium Imperiale is often regarded as the world’s most prestigious art award, recognizing excellence in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theatre/film. Now in its 35th year, it holds a similar stature in the arts as the Nobel Prizes do in the sciences.
A legacy of excellence
Previous recipients in the film sector include luminaries such as Ingmar Bergman, Jean-Luc Godard, and Akira Kurosawa. This recognition places Ang Lee among the giants of cinema, celebrating his unique ability to blend diverse cultural narratives with universal human experiences.
New Zealand International Film Festival: A cinematic journey
A celebration of global cinema
The 2024 New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has concluded its extensive tour across the country, showcasing a selection of 83 feature films and 17 shorts. The festival attracted over 90,000 spectators, with Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s feature debut We Were Dangerous topping the box office.
One of the festival’s highlights was the 30th-anniversary screening of Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures, presented in a stunning 4K restoration. The screenings in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch were graced by the presence of Jackson, co-writer Fran Walsh, and production designer Grant Major.
A personal reflection
As a cinema enthusiast, witnessing the evolution of film festivals like NZIFF is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. The festival not only celebrates established filmmakers but also provides a platform for emerging talents, ensuring a vibrant future for global cinema.
Thai star joins Japanese series ‘Octo-Mind Investigator Akari Shinno’
A cross-cultural collaboration
Thai actor Sapol Assawamunkong, also known as ‘The Great’, has joined the cast of Season 2 of YTV’s hit Japanese series Octo-Mind Investigator Akari Shinno. Assawamunkong will play Krit Wongratch, a key character in the series. Represented by GMMTV, his credits include Room Alone 2, the 2019 film Inhuman Kiss, and the GMM series Beauty Newbie.
Octo-Mind Investigator is an original mystery drama featuring a detective with the extraordinary ability to see people’s emotions as colors. Season 1, which aired in the summer of 2022, was a hit on linear TV and the free catch-up service, TVer.
A deeper dive
The inclusion of international actors like Assawamunkong in Japanese series highlights the growing trend of cross-cultural collaborations in the entertainment industry. This not only enriches the narrative but also broadens the audience base, fostering a global appreciation for diverse storytelling.
Steve Aoki brings anime to New York Fashion Week
A fusion of fashion and anime
DJ, composer, and actor Steve Aoki made a splash at New York Fashion Week with his DIM MAK x ONE PIECE collection, in partnership with Toei Animation. The immersive runway experience, held on September 9th at Artechhouse, unveiled the Spring/Summer 2025 collection as part of Toei Animation’s year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the iconic anime series.
Toei Animation described Aoki’s participation as “a transformative moment for anime in the fashion world, where the bold and adventurous spirit of One Piece meets the cutting-edge designs of Dim Mak.”
A personal note
As a fan of both fashion and anime, witnessing this collaboration is exhilarating. It represents a seamless blend of two creative worlds, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion shows and offering a unique, immersive experience for fans of both genres.
Sony Music Vietnam partners with Great Entertainment
A strategic alliance in the music industry
Sony Music Entertainment Vietnam has announced a strategic partnership with Great Entertainment, one of Vietnam’s leading music labels. This agreement grants Sony Music the rights to distribute and market both the catalog and frontline releases of Great Entertainment’s roster of artists, which includes top-charting Vietnamese talents like B Ray, Quân A.P, Masew, Khanh ICM, and Khoi Vu.
An industry perspective
This partnership signifies a major step in the globalization of Vietnamese music, providing artists with a broader platform to reach international audiences. It also underscores the importance of strategic alliances in the music industry, enabling the cross-pollination of diverse musical styles and cultures.
For more information and to watch trailers, visit the following links:
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Life of Pi
- Brokeback Mountain
- Heavenly Creatures
- Octo-Mind Investigator Akari Shinno
- We Were Dangerous
- Inhuman Kiss
- Beauty Newbie
- One Piece
For music enthusiasts, explore the latest albums and songs on Music Beep.