Spirit World (film)

Spirit World
Spirit World
French	Yūrei
Directed by	Eric Khoo
Screenplay by	Edward Khoo
Produced by	Shin Yamaguchi; Mathilde Incerti; Fong Cheng Tan; Yutaka Tachibana;
Starring	Catherine Deneuve; Masaaki Sakai; Yutaka Takenouchi; Jun Fubuki;
Cinematography	Adrian Tan
Edited by	Chong Wu Koh; Matthieu Laclau;
Music by	Jeanne Cherhal
Production; companies	M.I. Movies; Knockonwood; Zhao Wei Films; Fourier Films INC; Wild Orange Artists Inc.;
Distributed by	Goodfellas; ARP Sélection;
Release dates	11 October 2024 (BIFF); 18 December 2024 (France);
Running time	105 minutes
Countries	Japan; France; Singapore;
Languages	French; Japanese;

Spirit World (French: Yūrei) is a 2024 fantasy drama film directed by Eric Khoo. The film stars Catherine Deneuve as legendary singer Claire who flies to Japan for a final sold-out concert, but as the show comes to an end so does her worldly life.^[1]^[2] A France, Japan and Singapore co-production, the film premiered as closing film of 29th Busan International Film Festival on 11 October 2024.^[3]

Cast

Production

The film based on an original screenplay, is structured as a three-way production involving companies from Singapore, Japan and France. Singapore authorities supported the project financially. In January 2024, production began in Takasaki, an ancient town on Honshu Island between Tokyo and Kyoto, where it continued for 10 days, before moving to other locations.^[1]

Release

Spirit World had its premiere at 29th Busan International Film Festival as closing film on October 11, 2024.^[4] It also competed for Best Film award at the 19th Rome Film Festival in 'Progressive Cinema Competition' and was screened on 22 October 2024.^[5]

It was screened at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival in Gala Selection on 29 October 2024.^[6] The film was selected as the opening film of the Horizon section at the 35th Singapore International Film Festival and was screened on 30 November 2024.^[7]

The film will be released on 18 December 2024 in French theatres by ARP Sélection.^[8]

Goodfellas, a Paris-based sales company acquired the international sales rights and will launch the film at the Eurepeon Film Market. ARP Sélection acquired French rights and will release the film in France.^[2]

Reception

Allan Hunter reviewing for Screen Daily giving positive review called it, "A simple, sentimental tale with a tendency towards inoffensive whimsy." Closing his review Hunter wrote, By concentrating more on Hayato and his challenges, Claire and Yuzo are somewhat sidelined. He added However, this shift enables Khoo to craft a richer narrative about loss, love, and the invaluable essence of life.^[9]

Accolades

Award	Date of ceremony	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
Rome Film Festival	27 October 2024	Best Film	Spirit World	Nominated	^[10]

References

^ ^a ^b Patrick Frater (10 January 2024). "Catherine Deneuve to Star in 'Spirit World,' Japan-Set Fantasy Film by Singapore's Eric Khoo (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
^ ^a ^b Goodfellow, Melanie (2 February 2024). "Eric Khoo Talks Japanese Drama 'Spirit World' With Catherine Deneuve As Goodfellas Boards Sales – EFM". Deadline. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
^ "The 29th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
^ Shackleton, Liz (3 September 2024). "Busan To Open With Park Chan-wook's Netflix Title 'Uprising', Close With Eric Khoo's 'Spirit World'; Kiyoshi Kurosawa Named Asian Filmmaker Of The Year". Deadline. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
^ Scarpa, Vittoria (23 September 2024). "One hundred titles from 48 countries and a flurry of world premieres will form of the focus of this year's Rome Film Fest". Cineuropa. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
^ "37th TIFF's Gala Selection Unveiled; Trailer with Festival Song to Screen from Sept. 20". Tokyo International Film Festival. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
^ "Explore Films". Singapore International Film Festival. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
^ "Yūrei" [Yūrei]. AlloCiné (in French). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
^ Hunter, Allan (11 October 2024). "Spirit World': Busan Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
^ Dams, Tim (20 September 2024). "Rome Film Festival unveils 2024 line-up; Johnny Depp, Francis Ford Coppola, Viggo Mortensen to be honoured". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 24 September 2024.

External links

Spirit World at IMDb

[sw:variety-1] Patrick Frater (10 January 2024). "Catherine Deneuve to Star in 'Spirit World,' Japan-Set Fantasy Film by Singapore's Eric Khoo (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 3 September 2024.

[gf:dl-2] Goodfellow, Melanie (2 February 2024). "Eric Khoo Talks Japanese Drama 'Spirit World' With Catherine Deneuve As Goodfellas Boards Sales – EFM". Deadline. Retrieved 3 September 2024.

[list:biff-3] "The 29th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.

[4] Shackleton, Liz (3 September 2024). "Busan To Open With Park Chan-wook's Netflix Title 'Uprising', Close With Eric Khoo's 'Spirit World'; Kiyoshi Kurosawa Named Asian Filmmaker Of The Year". Deadline. Retrieved 8 September 2024.

[rff:cen-5] Scarpa, Vittoria (23 September 2024). "One hundred titles from 48 countries and a flurry of world premieres will form of the focus of this year's Rome Film Fest". Cineuropa. Retrieved 24 September 2024.

[sw:tiff-6] "37th TIFF's Gala Selection Unveiled; Trailer with Festival Song to Screen from Sept. 20". Tokyo International Film Festival. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.

[7] "Explore Films". Singapore International Film Festival. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.

[rec:allocine-8] "Yūrei" [Yūrei]. AlloCiné (in French). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.

[rev:sd-9] Hunter, Allan (11 October 2024). "Spirit World': Busan Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 29 October 2024.

[rff:sd-10] Dams, Tim (20 September 2024). "Rome Film Festival unveils 2024 line-up; Johnny Depp, Francis Ford Coppola, Viggo Mortensen to be honoured". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 24 September 2024.

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