XiaoGu

And here are some more design details if anyone interested~

And here are some beautiful shots of the sample~

Hey, it’s me again, if you bought a copy of Diskino’s collector’s edition of A Story of Yonosuke at the beginning of this year, you might remember me. I was writing a long reply to promote the product. After nearly a year, I returned as the producer of the Diskino collector's edition Blu-ray of 100 Yen Love as promised. Thanks for all the supporters, Diskino could continue with more releases of Japanese films, and it was amazing to build up the connection among worldwide collectors. I received wonderful messages from Japanese film fans, they said that this edition was too cheap to be real (as you might know Japanese home entertainment products are expansive). The feedback on the Blu-ray of A Story of Yonosuke was far more than I expected, and I received many suggestions and wishes for further selections. This time, I chose 100 Yen Love, this ‘unusual’ inspirational sports genre film directed by Masaharu Take. The film tells the story of the heroine Ichiko, played by Sakura Ando (you must remember her excellent performance in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Shoplifters), who, after a series of setbacks in her life and family, turns her life around with boxing. Unlike most inspirational sports films, 100 Yen Love focuses on Ichiko's all-time failures, and the struggles of her life till the end, while the warmth of her life comes out of her return to the basics sometimes. It is a unique Japanese inspirational film full of ‘mourning’ culture. The film was selected as Kinema Junpo Top 10 (Kinema Junpo is one of the oldest and most important film criticism magazines in Japan) in 2014, and Sakura Ando won the Best Actress award at Kinema Junpo Awards for this film that year. I would also like to give special thanks to my old classmate, illustrator Yang Shan, for her excellent and delicate drawing skills, and her insistence on hand-paintings to create this stunning packaging design. By the time the pre-sale of 100 Yen Love opens, the last production line for Blu-ray in mainland China will come to an end this month, and there will be more uncertainty in the publication of Blu-rays in mainland China. The mainstream viewing model and home entertainment ecology seems to be difficult to reverse, but that doesn't stop us from focusing on what we care about as much as we can. In this film, there is an important line: ‘I want to win, even just for once.’ If you can't be a brilliant winner all the time, then throwing a punch is enough, at least 100 Yen Love will continue, and the publishing of Japanese films by Diskino will continue. Good luck with further releases. A little spoiler, I am planning to release another important modern Japanese film next year, and it is probably one of the most popular one in mainland China. What’s your favorite modern Japanese film then?

Synopsis: At the 70th birthday celebration, the aged mother of the Yu family suffers from a stroke, which precipitates her decline into dementia. Who will take care of her? The four brothers face crucial changes in their relationships to one another, as they deal with their own family problems. The eldest brother tries to control her rebellious daughter who fights for her freedom of marriage. The second brother, still living on a fishing boat, has to buy an apartment for his son who is getting married. The third brother lives with his son with Down syndrome and is constantly hounded by his creditors. The youngest son lives a lonely but irresponsible life. Their destinies, linked by love and challenged by questions and dilemmas, unfold over the course of four seasons, as in an ancient Chinese scroll painting. Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains received great box office and reputation in France, and this film was selected in Cahiers du Cinéma's top 10 of 2020. The last Chinese film selected in Cahiers du Cinéma's top 10 is A Touch Of Sin by Jia Zhangke, which was 7 years ago. Hollywood Reporter reviewed that 'Rather than take his cue from the epic pretensions of similarly social-conscious work by Jia Zhangke or Wang Xiaoshuai, the director seems to look across the sea to Taiwan at the understated aesthetics of Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-hsien. His film is a worthy, if not yet fully formed, descendant of Yang’s Yi Yi and Hou's A Time to Live, a Time to Die.' This film is also one of the most iconic films of 'Hangzhou New Cinema' in Chinese films recently. Last year, I curated and organized an online film season in the UK with related films as my graduation project. It is a pity that I didn't get Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains in my season due to some unexpected reasons. However, if you have more interests to know more about these new films and filmmakers in Chinese city, Hangzhou, you could take a look of the brochure that I made with my designer friendHangzhou New Cinema Brochure-Digital Version.pdf.

I am so glad to hear that you watched and liked this film as you mentioned, this is the meaning of releasing the Blu-ray of this film. To be honest, I am not even caring how many copies sold of this one while I just prefer more audience could find this film, realize that they might miss this amazing Japanese film and put it in the recent watch list. Thanks so much for supporting this Blu-ray at the last minute with such luck and coincidences with the Japanese Film Festival tour, I found this title last week while I was thinking that it was a US event only. Quite glad to hear that you could catch up with this film with such limited/unexpected chance, I mean everything about this film is luck so far, what a real miracle it is, like Yonosuke himself. Enjoyable to read your comments on this film, and that's how I thought about it. I won't say that Shuichi Okita is the best master in modern Japanese films but I would say that he deserves much more attention in global. He was not from a film academic background so that he had some personal touches and approaches when making films. His films are quite 'Japanese' as you said that his films had some Japanese humour which requires more patience and understanding of the culture/linguistical background. However, at the same time, his films are easy to catch up and be moved by their universal relationships with the characters and narrations. A Story of Yonosuke is his best film in this career in my opinion, which is even better than his average ability. With the help of the amazing original novel, this film is like a miracle from nowhere that year. If you liked his style, maybe you could try his other films, perhaps The Chef of South Polar (2009) and The Woodsman and the Rain (2011) might be two good starts. In addition, one of my favourite Japanese TV series, Hibana (2016), is also co-directed by him, and this one should be available on Netflix, highly recommended. Kinema Junpo (キネマ旬報) is Japan's oldest film magazine and they will have a list of top 10 Japanese films every year while this title was missed. In the past years, more and more audience considered that A Story of Yonosuke might be one of the biggest lost pearls in the lists. As this film is so Japanese, it didn't get enough release and distribution around the world. But I am so glad to say that this film has a solid fan group in China, and it is many Chinese cinephile audience favourite modern Japanese film. I took it as a signal and waited till the day I could find a way to release it, to re-introduce it. A Story of Yonosuke has such simple story with so many magnetic characters to remember, it is like a wine stored in the wine cellar for you to discover. You might be attracted by more sparking, more exciting titles first while you will remember this one for a much longer, steady time. Thank you for supporting this title from another corner of the world. I hope that when you receive this release, you would be willing to revisit this film, and you will find more and more great details. I have watched this film over 10 times and I still enjoy every second of it with more discovery and feelings every time. Like the dialogue in the film 'Please come by and visit when you have time. Maybe we can get together and reminisce about Yonosuke. I imagine it'll be one funny story after another.'

I didn't realize that it was a wonderful serendipity until today. A Story of Yonosuke is the 100th official Blu-ray release by Diskino company. What a great journey!

Shuichi Yoshida, original novel author "When I saw the artwork of A Story of Yonosuke Blu-ray, I could feel a lot of 'Yonosuke love'! If there are more young people like Yonosuke, the world will be full of happiness (laugh). Thank you, XiaoGu." Shuichi Okita, director "I'm very happy to know that more people will see this film in China in the future. I'm sure you all have people like Yonosuke around you, right? I hope you can become the Yonosuke of others. Please enjoy this film as you have a beautiful encounter in your life." Thank you for supporting the Blu-ray release of A Story of Yonosuke! The pre-order will end soon, so please book it quickly if you are hesitating. I make every effort and look forward to the feedback from the film fans after the unboxing. Let's wait for the next Japanese film Blu-ray in Diskino selections.

Dear Casiusco, thanks for your kind and lengthy word which warms me a lot, and it is even warmer to get a message somewhere from a stranger but a film lover around the corner of the world, having communication because of a film that you didn't even try or know before. I had some similar experience when I might skip one title until I found something behind that, which would attract my attention and further interests, but it was also the same, if someone was sharing the authentic feeling, anyone could have a chance to get it. It sounds quite dramatic, but I would like to say after my shift of course and career into film, my life has been like a film with so much luck and coincidences. Before, I was not a huge fan of saying something about 'dream', 'idea' while I am willing to talk about them as I experienced all those stunning memories and moments to make convince. I hope that I could share my story to anyone who loves films, and make the others happy and inspired if possible. I am very proud of this release, or even I might think that even I could have more chances to provide more Blu-ray releases in the future, I won't be able to make the same level product like this, not because of the quality, but because of the meaning and invisible stories behind it. I got so much support in my previous life for this release, and I got even more support since the announcement, including the messages and likes in MP community. I am feeling being loved. It is such a pleasure to know that you would like to try this film because of my posts (and this is my goal to make more people watching this film). I won't say that everyone will love this film, but probably you will understand my reactions and influences behind this film. It is a simple, long but gentle film, it is like the light, the wind, the time walking ahead of us, you might feel it until you realize it. I could totally understand your concern of the subtitle and the subtle meaning in the original language. Please don't worry that I have watched this film in so many times, including 2-3 times with English subtitles only, and I think that the official version English subtitle is translating the language well. As most of the dialogues in the film are quite simple and daily, you will get the idea easily. Look forward to your feedback no matter whether you will love it or not. At least, it is a good moment to talk with you in MP community. Thank you again for your posts.

And I can't wait to share a teaser video of the sample! 637458461_.mp4

On 28 February 1988, Yonosuke picked up the camera for the first time and took his first photograph work of a newborn baby. Many years later, as Yonosuke promised, Shoko finally received the photographs and those old memories were reawakened. I hope that this collector's edition will also be a lasting reminder of A Story of Yonosuke, a gift that you will remember for many years to come. Perhaps this Blu-ray can also be a gift across time and space to your 'Yonosuke', your 'Shoko', the person in your life that you cherish most, to talk about your memories together someday. GP for the Collector's Edition Blu-ray of A Story of Yonosuke is still available for a limited time, and I am willing to share some exclusive first look of the sample on this special day! P.S: The two original novels in the last image are not included in the product.

It's a pity as the special features didn't have any English subtitles, as all the special features subtitles are made by ourselves only by long time hearing and translating. Due to the limited budget and heavy work, we could only have Chinese subtitles for the special features while we have English and Chinese subtitles for the main film. In addition, although the special features won't have English subtitles, some videos actually don't need English subtitles to understand. The main behind-scene feature is with Chinese subtitle only while it is still great to see some interesting behind scenes. We also produce the original Japanese screenplay just for anyone who might want to learn Japanese, and keep the original style. Although this product is designed for Chinese audience, I hope that you could find it a great collection!

I am so glad to hear that you choose to have a watch of this film, and this is the reason why I am promoting this release with so much effort: recommend this film to even one more audience if they encounter this film because of the release, and it is the meaning for me. This is a beautiful film isn't it? Many thanks for your support, and I hope that you will enjoy the edition. And probably you could recommend this understated film to your 'Yonosuke' in your life next time, and let everyone be 'the luckier one'.

I hope that this release will bring Diskino's productions as your future choice~Look forward to hearing your feedback then!

Thanks for your kind words. Yes I believe in the magic and my faith related with films. In my past 10 years, my life had so many magical moments related with films, and I could keeping saying those amazing memories. For example, I was writing about Wings of Desire as a writing example when I was trying to shift my major from BA architecture to MA film studies. Two years later I met with Wim Wenders in an industry preview event as I was studying film programming. I told him about my love and the importance of Wings of Desire as it is an early point in my film career somehow. I hope that I could have more chances to bring all most magical moments in my life about films into home video productions in the near future. Thanks, keep well!

The official pre-order just opened in mainland China yesterday so it is not too late to find it now~