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YAMATO: THE LAST BATTLE at the MWFF

The epic Japanese film YAMATO: THE LAST BATTLE by director Junya Sato will have its international premiere at the 30th edition of the Montréal World Film Festival, which runs from August 24 to September 4, 2006, it was announced.

Produced by Haruki Kadokawa for the Toei Studio, and starring Takashi Sorimachi, Shido Nakamura, Kyoda Susuki, Tetsuya Watari et Tatsuya Nakadai, the film recounts the last mission of the battleship Yamato during World War II. The largest battleship ever built, the ship was dubbed the naval Titanic, and in April 1945, on its way to attack the American fleet supporting the troop landing on Okinawa, the Yamato came under attack by close to 400 American warplanes. The ship was finally sunk in the waters off Okinawa, taking with her almost 2,500 of the 3,000 crew that were on board at the start of the mission.

“As soon as it came out in Japanese theatres, the blockbuster YAMATO: THE LAST BATTLE was destined for success," noted Montréal World Film Festival President Serge Losique. "It set a box office record, becoming the first Japanese film ever to post more than one million viewers within days of opening. By presenting YAMATO: THE LAST BATTLE, the MWFF hopes to provide moviegoers with an opportunity to discover a quality epic of contemporary Japanese cinema."

30th anniversary of the MWFF
This year, the Montréal World Film Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary from August 24 to September 4. This historic edition of the Festival coincides with a remarkable world-wide renaissance of national cinemas and is dedicated to the film-loving public who has faithfully supported the MWFF for the past 30 years. The only competitive film festival in North America to be recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), the Festival has been promoting cultural diversity since its founding in 1977.