Concurrent Theatrical Showings In Portland And Seattle Begin September 21

San Francisco, CA, August 31, 2007—VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced that director Lee Sang-il’s celebrated film, HULA GIRLS, will screen for a pair of concurrent limited theatrical engagements in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA from September 21-27. (theatre information below)

A heart warming comedy/drama, HULA GIRLS was Japan’s official entry to the 2007 Academy Awards Best Foreign Film category and also won four Japanese Academy Awards the same year including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress.

Based on a true story set in 1965, the desolate and declining mining town of Iwaki in Northern Japan tries to revive itself by building a Hawaiian-themed resort. The featured attraction is to be a hula show, but in this isolated place far from the tropical bliss of Hawaii there are no palm trees or hula dancers. In fact, no one knows how to do the dance or even knows what the hula is! The town leaders invite a dance instructor from Tokyo to teach the local minors' daughters how to hula, but conservative townspeople are initially resistant to the provocative dance. The skepticism and conservatism of the locals is gradually overcome as their daughters fall under the spell of the talented and determined dance instructor from Tokyo.

Once a leading performer, the instructor at first looks down on the coal miners and their amateurish daughters, but the girls’ sincere dedication gradually rekindles a passion in her. Each dealing with their own harsh lives, the local girls find a new lease on life and, for the first time, support in their friendships as they absorb the essence of hula dancing. The film has been praised as an enchanting story of women who take once-in-a-lifetime chances to escape their monotonous lives, only to become the unwitting heroes of their depressed mining town as well as the whole of Japan.

Born in 1974 in Niigata, Japan, the ethnically Korean Lee Sang-il drew early attention to his talents as a filmmaker with his graduation thesis film Blue Chong(1999), which swept an unprecedented four awards at Pia Film Festival, including the Grand Prize. His Pia Scholarship film, Border Line, (2002) won acclaim at festivals worldwide, including a Special Citation at the Vancouver Film Festival. Sang-il’s next two films, 69 (2004) and Scrap Heaven (2005), were both cited for Best Actor awards by the Hochi Film Awards and the Kinema Junpo, respectively. While Sang-il had previously developed a strong reputation for his work with male actors, he took on the portrayal of women for the first time in HULA GIRLS, with critically acclaimed results.

“HULA GIRLS is a heartwarming and tenacious story that follows a fine tradition of Japanese dance and music themed-films like Shall We Dance?, Waterboys and Swing Girls,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. “We are privileged to offer this film to audiences in Portland and Seattle and look forward to them enjoying the mix of comedy and drama it offers. For those interested in Asian cinema or culture, those into dance, or those who simply want a unique story with captivating characters, HULA GIRLS is not to be missed!”

Theatre Information:

Portland:  The Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97212 (503) 281-4215

Seattle: Grand Illusion Cinema
1403 NE 50th St, Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 523-3935

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 film release from a J-pop fan's point of view. VIZ Pictures titles include HULA GIRLS, TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the most entertaining live action motion pictures 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. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular "NARUTO" animated TV series.

© 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. 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 (415) 546–7073; Fax (415) 546–7086; and web site at www.viz.com.

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