Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2019 – KISS vs. MCZ: The Movie
A fascinating documentary about two different cultures meeting through the power of music: legendary Rock band KISS vs. Japanese mega-star girls band Momoiro Clover Z (MCZ).
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Toru Tokikawa
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I and my team love cross-cultural documentaries about pop-culture, music, and entertainment that encourage people to fulfill their dreams breaking boundaries of language and all other differences. KISS vs. MCZ: The Movie is about two very different cultures meet and create something phenomenal through the power of music and that’s exactly what we love.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
With the power of entertainment, we can understand and love each other much easier despite all the differences and languages. It is actually not a big deal to make the leap to accept and enjoy the difference. I hope the audience will get inspired by our film.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I’ve been living and working in many different countries and I know the power of music as I was a DJ. Music unites people and creating something together bond people. KISS is the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame superstar and Momoiro Clover Z is the Japanese pop-music phenomenon, but anyone can enjoy music and play something together and ultimately appreciate humanity.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I sincerely am grateful to NHK for their help and support from the development to the finalization of the film. I particularly thank Takashi Nishimura, the chief producer at NHK Enterprises and one of our executive producers. I learned a lot from him about the efficient use of captions in documentary storytelling.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Both KISS and Momoiro Clover Z members and their fans responded enthusiastically and it is rewarding. Thank you, guys!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not surprised but overwhelming. Also, I thank KISS and their management team for their support promoting the film. Paul Stanley, the lead singer, sent us an audio message for the world premiere, and Eric Singer, the drummer, came in and did a Q&A with me at San Diego Comic-Con. We are honored and grateful.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Feel free to send us screening requests and we’ll do our best to share the film with the world.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Distributors, Festivals, Press, anyone who can help to amplify the film’s message.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Opinions are up to you, but we will be happy if both KISS and MCZ fans enjoy the film. We hope more people start making music to express themselves and collaborate to understand each other.
Would you like to add anything else?
What is music to you?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently filming a new documentary Sparks and Speed - it is a story of Shinya Kimura, the legendary custom motorcycle builder. We are looking for partners to finish the film. Also, we are working on animation features and series, and a remake of a Japanese hit dramedy.
Interview: June 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
KISS vs. MCZ: The Movie
A fascinating documentary about two different cultures meeting through the power of music: legendary Rock band KISS vs. Japanese mega-star girls band Momoiro Clover Z (MCZ).
Length: 1:01:08
Director: Toru Tokikawa
Producer: Tomoko Kumanomidou, Takashi Nishimura, Takako Hayashi (Executive Producers), Toru Tokikawa (producer), Min Hye Kim (Line Producer)
Writer: Min Hye Kim, Toru Tokikawa
About the writer, director and producer:
Born in Japan and raised in the US and Indonesia, a multi-award winning director and producer, TORU TOKIKAWA has been directing and producing film and TV for over 18 years. Toru is in pre-production of a sci-fi anime feature Clone Hunter while packaging a remake of a Japanese blockbuster and TV formats. A graduate of the University of Tokyo, he began his career at the Japanese ad agency Dentsu and based in Paris/London before LA.
MIN HYE is the writer of upcoming anime feature Clone Hunter and numerous features and TV shows. She is the creator of Aiueo Phonics, an edgy edutainment anime series. Born and raised in Japan, she graduated from the University of Tokyo with a major in Cinema. She then worked at the Japanese advertising agency Dentsu as a writer and producer. She holds a Fine Arts master’s degree from the Royal College of Art, London.
Key cast: KISS: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer , and Momoiro Clover Z: Kanako Momota, Shiori Tamai, Ayaka Sasaki, Momoka Ariyasu, Reni Takagi
Looking for: distributors, buyers, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Rivertime Entertainment Inc.
Twitter: @RivertimeTweet
Hashtags used: #kissvsmcz
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: NHK Presents an NHK ENTERPRISES production, in association with Rivertime Entertainment Inc.
Funders: NHK/NHK ENTERPRISES