Cinema Sports Project シネマスポーツプロジェクト

In order to promote Tokyo both in Japan and overseas, “Cinema Sports” project was established.

The aim of the project is to produce and promote a short film with elements of major international sports events that are taking place in Tokyo since 2019 to 2020.

The short films which will be introduced to both domestic and international audience will be directed by past award wininig filmmakers from our festival, not only to raise their degree of recognition, but also to incubate young and aspiring filmmakers.

The short film will be premiered at SSFF & ASIA, as well as other festivals inside and outside of Japan. Additionally, its promotional content will be used to attract attention and deliver messages about the attraction of Tokyo.

SAMURAI SWORDFISH

The film Produced in the fiscal year of 2021

SAMURAI SWORDFISH

24:58 / 2022 / Japan
  • Written and Directed by Hiroki Horanai

  • Executive Producer

    Tetsuya Bessho

  • Casts

    Hiroki Iijima, Maito Fujioka, Keisei Kawahara,
    with Marty Friedman and Hiroshi Fujioka

Edo, 1863. Aisuke Kajiki, a young blind swordsman, is entrusted the son of his best friend Toramaru Sakakibara, who is about to join the Shogun's Samurai Unit and promises to train him well. However, after Toramaru's death in battle, Eisuke drowns in a river and is transported in time to present-day Tokyo. Eisuke and his descendant, Ryusei, a college student, go to meet Toramaru's descendant, Taiga, a swimmer. The blind samurai's promise to his best friend in Edo is fulfilled 160 years later in present-day Tokyo through para-swimming.

Film

Making

Casts

Hiroki Iijima

Hiroki Iijima

Born in 1996, Hokkaido. He won the Grand Prix at the 28th Junon Super Boy Contest in 2015.
He made his first starring role and acting debut in "Kamen Rider Ghost" (EX) in 2016. Subsequently, he appeared in the dramas "Holiday Love," "Stay Tuned!" He appeared regularly in "My Love My Baker" (dTV) and "Tokyo MPD - From Zero to Hero," for two years in a row, as well as "A Devil & Her Love Song" (Hulu) and "I'm a Groom and So Are They" (Hulu). He has also appeared in TV commercials for Thirty-One Ice Cream and Steak Palace as well as in films such as "Aiuta - Yakusoku no Nakuhito," "Mirai e no Katachi," and "Brave - Gunsei Senki -." He has also appeared in "The Rise and Fall of the Japanese Government." He is expanding his career as an actor with five movies and dramas waiting to be released.

Maito Fujioka

Maito Fujioka

He drew immediate attention in his first TV appearance in a variety show in 2019 with his good looks.
In March 2020, he was appointed as Sega's 60th anniversary project ambassador. He made his acting debut as "Sega Shiro," appearing in commercials and on the web.
In the third commercial, he co-starred with the popular character "Segashiro Sanshiro" played by his father Hiroshi Fujioka, their first father-son collaboration.
In September of the same year, he began appearing on "I LOVE Minna no Dobutsuen" (NTV) in a popular segment about dogs in Japan.
Currently appearing as part of the program family. He has appeared in many variety and information programs. He is popular among women and has appeared in many women's fashion magazines such as "ar," "mini," "ViVi," and "JUNON." He is also a model for the popular apparel brand "HYSTERIC GLAMOUR," highlighting his long arms and legs.
He has been appearing in commercials for New Japan Enex since January 2021, and will appear in the movie "Masked Rider Beyond Generations," which opens in theaters on December 17.
The announcement that he would be playing the role of "Takeshi Hongo / Masked Rider No. 1," the second generation of a father and son to play the same role in over 50 years, has received huge attention on TV, magazines, on the web, and in many other media, making him an actor to keep an eye on.

Keisei Kawahara

Keisei Kawahara

Para swimmer/TikToker
Born in 1997, he was injured in a motorcycle accident in January 2019, resulting in an amputation below his right knee.
He started para-swimming less than half a year after the surgery and attracted a lot of attention when he broke the Japanese records in the 400m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.
His hobbies include fashion, skateboarding, and snowboarding.
Most recently, he competed in the 200m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, and 100m breaststroke at the 2022 Para Swimming World Championships in Berlin.
He has broken Asian records in the 400m individual medley and 800m freestyle.

Marty Friedman

Marty Friedman

After forming the heavy metal band CACOPHONY, he joined MEGADETH in 1990. The band became a mega-selling act with his support in its peak period and became a quitarist with enthusiastic fans all over the world. He became a connoisseur of Japan as he visited Japan on live tours, and learned Japanese through correspondence courses. After leaving MEGADETH, he moved his base from LA to Tokyo in 2004.
From 2005, he appeared regularly as the main MC on the legendary rock variety show "Hebi Meta-san" (TV Tokyo). Since 2007, "ROCK FUJIYAMA," a sequel to the show, has been aired on YouTube and is still receiving positive feedback from around the world.
From 2006 to 2008, he was the image character of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation.
He has since appeared on numerous NHK and commercial TV programs, and has been a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers, and published his first book in 2008, "I love it! J-POP: That's Why I Came to Japan" was published and became a bestseller. In the same year, he appeared in the movie "Gugu datte Neko de Neko de Aru," co-starring Kyoko Koizumi. While demonstrating his talent as a super guitarist and one-of-a-kind Japan lover, he is also a composer, and music producer. He appears in events, TV, radio, TV commercials, and movies, transcending borders and industry boundaries.
In 2017, he was appointed as a Japanese Heritage Ambassador by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and is active as a multi-talented artist in cultural activities to introduce Japan at home and abroad!

Hiroshi Fujioka、

Special Appearance

Hiroshi Fujioka、

Debuted in Shochiku Studio films & became a hero in "Masked Rider".
He has starred in numerous movies, including "Sinking of Japan," "Death of the Beast," and "Samurai in the Sky,"
"Katsu Kaishu," "Shiroi Kiba," "Tokuso Saizensen," "Asuka," "Hiroshi Fujioka, Tanken Series" and many others.
He has led the movie industry as an action actor who performs the action scenes himself.
In 1984, he was selected for the lead role in the Hollywood movie "SF Sword Kill," and was cast in the lead role in the movie "The Last Airbender" (1985).
Became a member of the Screen Actors Guild (Screen Actors Guild of America) and has a close friendship with the Hollywood community.
He is also known as a martial arts expert who has performed in serious combat overseas and is well versed in judo, karate, katana-do (swordsmanship), koutaido (self-defense), and all other martial arts.
He has been involved in relief and support activities in conflict zones and refugee camps in dozens of countries around the world, as well as in Japan.
His role as Honda Tadakatsu in the 2016 NHK Taiga Drama "Sanadamaru" drew wide attention & praise.
He also played the lead role in the movie "Masked Rider No. 1," which was released in March of the same year.
The DVD/Blu-ray became a number one best-seller in the movie category.
In 2020, he will celebrate the 55th anniversary of his career in show business, and has appeared in commercials for Softbank, Town Work, and Lotte & Calbee.
Since 2021, he has appeared in commercials for Nissin Yakisoba UFO.
He also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the broadcast of Masked Rider and appeared in the movie "Super Hero Senki".
He appeared as "Takeru Hongo" playing the same role in three different eras: Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa in 2021.

Cameo Appearences *alphabetical order

Keiichi Kimura

Keiichi Kimura

Sponsored by Tokyo Gas Co.
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1990. Lost his eyesight at the age of 2 due to an illness. He started swimming in the 4th grade and competed in 4 consecutive Paralympic Games from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020. He won his first medai in London 2012. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he won the most of any Japanes athlete with 4 medals. In 2018 he relocated to train in the U.S. and set a new personal best record. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, he won his long fought for gold medal in the 100m butterfly. He has been involved in many activities promoting para-sports and giving lectures on realizing a diversified society. He is the author of the book "Swimming in the Dark," a book that challenges you to go beyond your limits. (Publisher: Mirakanai Co)

Takayuki Suzuki

Takayuki Suzuki

Born in Shizuoka Prefecture, 1987. Started swimming at age six and competed in five consecutive Paralympic swimming events from Athens 2004 to Tokyo 2022. He was the captain of the swimming team at the Beijing and London 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games.
He also served as the swimming team captain and won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle, silver medals in the 50m freestyle and 200m freestyle, and bronze medals in the 50m breaststroke and 150m individual medley. He was also elected as a member of the IPC Athletes Committee and will represent athletes world-wide in the development of para-sports until the 2024 Paris Games.
He joined Goldwyn in 2009. He is also a PhD student in Sports Management at Northumbria University in Newcastle.

Director

Hiroki Horanai

Hiroki Horanai

Born in Japan,1985. Started making films in junior high school.
Graduated from Hosei University. Currently working as a director at Dentsu Creative X.
In 2018, he won the SSFF&ASIA Cinematic Tokyo award for "Tokyo Comet."

Location

Yushima Goryosha Shrine

Yushima Goryosha Shrine Bunkyo

Goryosha Shrine is located in Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. Located in a residential area, the shrine is said to have been founded in Ueno by Toeizan Daimyoin, who received the spirit from the Goryo Shrine in Kyoto, and moved to this location in 1710.

Akigawa Valley

Akigawa Valley Akiruno

About one hour from west of central Tokyo, Akigawa Valley is one of Tokyo's tranquil and therapeutic nature getaway spots and offers places to go fishing, trekking trails, and other activities that will enthuse outdoor lover.
The Akigawa River is said to be the largest of the tributaries of the Tama River. The 20-km-long valley stretching from Akiruno City to Hinohara Village is called the "Akigawa Valley."

Arakawa River Cyling Road

Arakawa River Cyling Road Edogawa

A cycling course and footpath along the Arakawa River.
The course stretches 90 km from the mouth of the Arakawa River to Saitama Prefecture.

"Ikari Deck" at Shinkiba Green Road Park

"Ikari Deck" at Shinkiba Green Road Park Koto

A short walk from the side of Wakasu Bridge in Shin-Kiba runs into this secluded spot with a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay.
It is directly behind the Tokyo Heliport, so if your timing is right, you can watch helicopters take off and land close by.

Trailer