THE PORTAL in TOKYO

We just attended the Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG) at the 2008 TIFFCOM/Tokyo International Film Festival. There were 34 projects (features and documentaries) chosen to participate. Our project is called . Other participating projects included Pang Ho Cheung’s , Zero Chou’s

Tokyo Project Gathering opening reception

TPG meetings in progress. The organizers arranged meetings for directors/producers with investors, distributors and other co-producers. We met with delegates from Japan, Korea, Germany, France, U.K, U.S. and Canada.

High in the Mori Tower looking down to Tokyo

At night from the Observation Deck in Mori Tower

Academy Hills (Library) in the Mori Tower where everyone hangs out and checks emails during their off time. Back when was in competition at the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival, we held informal photo shoots and interviews for Sylvia Chang and Martin Yan here too. Everything remained the same.

Head of the jury for the competition films, Jon Voight (aka Angelina Jolie’s father). It was 8:30 in the morning at the Grand Hyatt. I didn’t think it would be polite to stick a camera in his face so early so, we got a picture of his back instead.

Thai Princess Ubol Ratana at a special cocktail reception announcing her film at the festival. She stars in the film based on a book she wrote about underprivileged kids.

Tokyo Tower behind me

Tokyo Tower up close

Gonpachi in Nishi-Azabu – a popular Japanese restaurant which resembles the set in Quentin Tarantino's where a huge massacre takes place. There’s a Gonpachi in Beverly Hills, too

Rosa and our friend, Mariko Kimura

In the restaurant, the cooks yell out their orders rhythmically like in the army.

This is from another restaurant where you order on the computer screen from your table.

This is the most expensive restaurant we visited on the trip. The candle-holder was made of turnip.

Sarah Jessica Parker on the Diet Coke can in Japan

Other beverages have no celebrity co-branding, but “Freshness Burger”?

We met a new friend, José Cotté, who’s a well-known actor from Puerto Rico. He had a sizable role in Steven Soderbergh’s , starring Benicio del Toro, and will next appear in a movie with George Clooney called .