FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hilarious Look Into Japanese Culture And The Geisha World To Screen In Los Angeles, New York And Seattle

 

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2007 was very successful. MAIKO HAAAAN!!! will screen in New York, April 18-24, Seattle May 2-8 and Los Angeles, May 23-29, with a special Press Screening in Los Angeles on May 1. Details and theatre information follow at the end of this release.

MAIKO HAAAAN!!! centers on a Japanese salary man named Kimihiko Onizuka (Sadawo Abe, from KAMIKAZE GIRLS) who dumps his girlfriend because he believes he can only fall in love with an apprentice Geisha, otherwise known as a ‘Maiko.’ He decides to pursue his dream of courting a real Maiko in Kyoto. The lavish and private Maiko Houses become a social barrier partly caused by a rival who is actually also a millionaire baseball player (Shinichi Tsutsumi). But Kimihiko remains undaunted and embarks on the most wild journey using some outlandish premises to gain entry to the Geisha inner sanctum. Meanwhile, Kimihiko’s girlfriend (Kou

Shibasaki) tries to win him back by leaving Tokyo to become a Maiko herself.

“Imagine a frenzied and comedic version of Memoirs of a Geisha coupled with Forrest Gump and you have a pretty good idea of the fun in-store in MAIKO HAAAAN!!!,” says Manami Iboshi, Director, Marketing, VIZ Pictures.

“Aside from the over-the-top plot and comedic performances, the film also provides a unique and colorful introduction into Japanese culture and the Maiko world to domestic audiences and we are sure audiences will be delighted by this rollicking story.”

 

 

www.viz-pictures.com

Theatrical Screening: April 18-24

IMAGINASIAN THEATRE

239 East 59th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave.), New York 10022

LOS ANGELES

*Press Screening: May 8 – 2:00PM

Theatrical Screening: May 23-29

IMAGINASIAN CENTER

251 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (*If you would like to attend the press screening in Los Angeles, please RSVP to evelyn@viz.com)

SEATTLE

Theatrical Screening: May 2-8

GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA

1403 NE 50th Street, Seattle, WA 98105

 

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese “kawaii

(cute) and cool” pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan’s point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America. VIZ Pictures titles include TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S.

 

 

www.viz-pictures.com

Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone

 

 

www.VIZ.com.