Vibrator (2003) | Japan

Director: Ryuichi Hiroki
Screenwriter: Arai Haruhiko
Cinematographer: Kazyhiro Suzuki
Editor: Ryuichi Hiroki

Cast
Shinobu Terashima
Nao Ohmori
Taguchi Tomoroo
Takayanagi Eriko

Awards
Best Actor, Tokyo International Film Festival / Honorable Mentions, 2003 Mannheim-Heilderberg International Filmfest / Best Actress, 2003 Nantes Three Continents Festival / Special Jury Prize / Best Actress, Singapore

Festival Screenings
Venice, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Oslo, Mannheim, Nantes, Kaohsiung, Rotterdam, Florida, Deauville, Cinema Novo, Las Palmas, East Lansing, NAT, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jeonju, Barcelona, Brooklyn, Dallas, Los Angeles

Vibrator's protagonist Rei is a tender creature whose mind is composed pf multiple voices interrupting and influencing her interaction with the world. In this subterranean world, even the vibration of her mobile phone barely pulls her out of her reverie, until, shopping for wine at a store, she sees the alluring bleach blonde haired Okabe strides in and feels a chord drawing her out of her shell. Wordlessly, she follows Okabe out and sees that he is a truck-driver and hops on, transiting momentarily to his world of transience, trucker stories and tender intimacy on the highways across Japan's islands.

The Mother (2002) | United Kingdom

Director: Roger Michel
Screenwriter: Hanif Kureishi
Cinematographer: Alwin Kuchler
Editor: Nicolas Gaster

Cast:
Anne Reid
Peter Vaughn
Steven Macntosh
Daniel Craig
Danira Govich

Awards
ALFS Awards, 2004 London Critics' Circle Film Awards

The Mother offers a thoughtful and ironic reflection on familial imperfections. Sixty-something May and her older husband Toots visit London, where their son Bobby and his wife Helen lead frenetic lives. Bobby's confused, frustrated sister Paula, a single mother, lives nearby. Following Toot's sudden death, May cannot face her old hoe in the north of England where years of inactivity seem to stretch out before her. She decides to stay in London, where Bobby and Helen offer grudging hospitality. Meanwhile, Paula is glad to have someone to share child-care responsibilities, but is not interested in seeing her mother in adult terms. As she eases into city life, May undergoes an emotional, creative and sexual awakening , finding herself attracted to Darren, the builder who is renovating her son's house. But Darren is not only 30 years her junior--he is Paula's lover.

Zatoichi (2003) | Japan

Director: Takeshi Kitano
Screenwriter: Takeshi Kitano
Cinematographer: Katsumi Yanagshima
Editor: Takeshi Kitano

Cast:
Beat Takeshi
Tadanobu Asano
Michiyo Ogusu
Yui Natsukawa
Guadalcanal Taka
Daigoro Tachibana
Yuko Daike
Ittoku Kishibe
Saburo Ishikura
Akira Emoto

The 19th cetury Japan... Zatoichi is a blind wanderer who makes a living by gambling and giving massages. But behind his humble facade, Zatoichi is a master swordsman, gifted with lightning fast draw and strokes of breathtaking precision. Zatoichi discovers a remote mountain town at the mercy of the Ginzo gang. The ruthless Ginzo disposes anyone who gets in their way, quicker than ever since they recruited Hatorri., the mighty samurai ronin. In a gambling joint, Zatoichi and trustworthy young friend Shinkichi meet up with a couple of geishas. As dangerous as they are beautiful, Okinu and her sister Osei have come to town to avenge their parents' murder. With their only clue being the mysterious name Kuchinawa, the geisha sisters have lots of tricks up on their sleeves. Sinister henchmen are soon hunting down Zatoichi. With this legendary cane sword at his side, Zatoichi's path is destined for many violent showdowns.

Source: Cinemanila 2004 catalogue

Babae sa Breakwater (2003) | Philippines

Director: Mario O'Hara
Screenwriter: Mario O'Hara
Cinematographer: Rey de Leon
Editor: Bert Vasadre

Cast
Katherine Luna
Kristoffer King
Gardo Verzosa
Al Cris

Awards
Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Performer (Katherine Luna)
2003 UP Young Critics' Circle Awards

Festival Screenings
Cannes Film Festival 2004

Synopsis
Basilio and his brother hope to make a better life in Manila. Basilio meets Paquita, a girl who started whoring so early in her life that she's already played out, her body full of diseases and open sores. The two are threatened by "Bossing" David, a former cop. A shootout made him a cripple and ended his career as a police officer; he now holds the breakwater area in his cruel grip.

Source: Cinemanila 2004 catalogue