The five members of the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival International Competition Jury sat down with the press on October 29, already looking like a tightknit team despite having met just the night before.
 
The panel is presided over by acclaimed Hong Kong actor Tony Leung (A City of Sadness, In the Mood for Love), with Oscar®-nominated Hungarian director Enyedi Ildikó (My 20th Century, On Body and Soul), Japanese actor Hashimoto Ai (Little Forest: Summer and Autumn, Wonderful World End), French actor Chiara Mastroianni (My Favorite Season, Marcello Mio), and legendary Hong Kong director-producer Johnnie To (Breaking News, Election).
 
Leung, who had appeared at TIFF in 2023, where he conducted an SRO masterclass, greeted the assembled press with a trilingual “good morning” (in Japanese, English and Cantonese), before commenting, “It’s a pleasure to be back in Tokyo again and it’s a real honor to be serving as the jury president. I look forward to seeing very good films.”
 
Said Ildikó, “I’m really excited to be working together with these people. It’s my second time in Tokyo. Some years ago, I brought my first film, On Body and Soul, and I have very good memories of that time.”
 
Hashimoto commented, “I’ve been involved with TIFF in various ways in the past. But this is the first time I’ve served in such an important role, being on a jury alongside these incredible members. I’m very honored to be part of it and while I’m very nervous, I don’t think I’ll have a chance like this again. I look forward to immersing myself in the films.”
 
Mastroianni noted, “This is my second time in Tokyo and I’m looking forward to spending time with this wonderful crew and discovering wonderful new filmmakers.”
 
Said To, “I always look forward to coming to Japan. I actually visit several times a year because I love Japan’s cuisine and enjoy eating the food. This time, I got some good tips from Tony about some other scrumptious places to eat. I look forward to eating, but also to being on this panel, which is a great honor, and to discovering wonderful films.”
 
The first question from the press went to Tony Leung: how does he feel about Asian films, and what does he think about the fact that there are five films (out of 15) from China in Competition? “I haven’t seen any of the films yet,” he said, “but speaking of Asian films in general, the quality is very high, and there are so many great films from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. It’s a pleasure to see a lot of Chinese-language films in the Competition and I look forward to seeing them.”
 
Noting that there are also Asian films in the Asian Future section, the jurors were asked what they thought the impact was of having so many Asian films in TIFF.
 
Leung responded, “I think TIFF has a very broad vision, and there are not only emerging directors but a variety of categories. This year there’s a Women’s Empowerment section as well as a section for new directors. It’s also going back to the past with films by directors like Fellini and Kurosawa. So it not only introduces what’s current, but also the vast history of cinema. It’s a wonderful opportunity for young viewers as well as for all audiences.”
 
Ildikó commented, “Festivals are the allies of filmmakers. They help us expose the fruit of our long years of work so it doesn’t go unacknowledged. So it brings the hidden treasures to audiences’ attention. The press are also the allies of filmmakers. When I go to a festival, I always try to understand how they shape their character. I believe TIFF is very bold because they’ve chosen a path that’s not easy: to be an important festival, not just to choose the big names but to find the hidden gems. Thanks to TIFF, the gems can perhaps have a great [trajectory].”
 
Hashimoto said, “I feel that there’s a world map in the TIFF Competition section, with many countries represented. As an actor, I do feel that’s there’s always room for growth in Japan and when I look at where we are here, I think that Japanese creators can learn from films from Hong Kong, for example.”
 
Said Mastroianni, “I concur with the others, and I would add that I think it’s wonderful to be able to share movies with audiences. The habit of going to the cinema is now very rare around the world, because of streamers, because of Covid. So I admire people who still fight to defend film festivals. It’s not only the occasion to discover great filmmakers, but perhaps also to discover the other people around you in the theater. Watching films on the big screen in a theater is wonderful.”
 
To praised the role of festivals in showcasing classic films as well. “Through film,” he said, we introduce different cultures and histories and that’s very useful. From a very young age, I really enjoyed watching Japanese film and was impressed and moved by it. I see a tendency toward people not watching these classics, so film festivals are a great place to see them, to pay respect to the great history of cinema.”
 
Asked if there’s a difference in how they view films normally and how they will view the Competition films, To responded, “I don’t think it will be very different. Usually, I tend to have expectations before watching a film and in most cases, I’m disappointed. I will try not to have filters. I think it should be intuitive and I want to immerse myself without knowing anything.
 
Being on a jury,” said Mastroianni, “you have a responsibility to the filmmakers and to the other members of the jury, because you need to discuss the films together. For me, it’s the same experience.”
 
Commented Hashimoto, “Since this is my first jury, it’s unknown territory. I think it will probably be a bit different. I can’t be too relaxed while watching as a jury member. Although I’ll be intuitive in receiving the films, I may have a more logical perspective.”
 
“Every work of art works on you through your senses, your gut and only then, your intellect,” Ildikó said. Your gut feelings can be educated, and this deeply influences what you do or don’t perceive in a work of art. I believe that our guts are educated because we work in this industry. We see more, we feel more, and we have more tools to translate into words these gut feelings.”
 
Leung, speaking last, admitted, “For me, I think it’s going to be totally different. Ever since I was small, I’ve been going to theaters to watch movies 4 to 5 times a week for pure enjoyment. But as the jury president, I have to talk with this wonderful panel. I’m not sure I’m educated or smart enough, but I’ll do my best.”
 
International Competition Jury Presser
Jury Members:
Tony Leung – President of the Jury (Actor), Enyedi Ildikó (Director), Hashimoto Ai (Actor), Chiara Mastroianni (Actor), Johnnie To (Director/Producer)