IFC News Special: Terror from Tokyo and Two Acquired Japanese Anime Series
Basilisk and Gunslinger Girl To Join Network Programming Slate
New York, NY, September 18, 2006 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today the addition of three new shows to its growing programming slate. In October, the network will premiere a new half-hour special IFC News Special: Terror from Tokyo, which offers an inside look into the Japanese horror scene and its impact on American film. Reaffirming the network's commitment to serial programming, IFC has also acquired two new Japanese anime series from FUNimation Entertainment, Basilisk and Gunslinger Girl. Basilisk will debut in October with the first four episodes and then return in January 2007 when the series will join Gunslinger Girl to create a one-hour anime programming block on Friday nights. The network has experienced recent success with another acquired anime series from FUNimation, Samurai 7, which currently airs in conjunction with IFC's longest running film strand 'Samurai Saturdays,' a weekly presentation of classic, Asian martial-arts-themed movies.
"IFC values the opinions of our viewers, and proven by our popular film strands 'Samurai Saturdays' and 'Indie Screams,' anime and horror are two genres that our viewers continue to enjoy and request," stated Evan Shapiro, Executive Vice President and General Manager, IFC. "With the addition of these three new programs to our expanding slate of original series and docs, IFC is delivering on its commitment to increasing the original and serial programming on the network."
Following are descriptions for each of the new programs premiering on IFC:
IFC News Special: Terror from Tokyo – Premieres Saturday, October 7, 2006 at 7:30 pm ET
This half-hour special outlines the popularity of J-horror films in America, tracing its historical roots in Japanese culture, their successful (or unsuccessful) translation in American blockbuster remakes, and finally, how the phenomenon has opened the doors of Asian cinema to America. The news special follows Japanese filmmaker Taka Ichise, the producer responsible for bringing J-horror directors like Hideo Nakata and Takashi Shimizu to the forefront of Japanese cinema. IFC's cameras will capture Ichise-san on set of his latest horror film in Japan. The special is produced by World of Wonder
Basilisk – Premieres Friday, October 6, 2006 at 11:00 pm ET (4 x 22'), returning with new episodes Friday, January 12, 2007 at 11:30 pm ET (20 x 22')
When honor means nothing, and power is everything, can love survive? Feudal Japan is about to bear witness to one of the bloodiest battles of all time! The two young leaders of the largest ninja clans are in love. Their love is ill-timed, because they have not become enemies when the Shogun has decided to turn over his land to the clan that can kill off the top 10 ninjas of their rival. No martial art is too strong and no ninja power is too bizarre for this band of top level assassins. A forbidden love in the middle of a feud for blood. Who will be left standing? For the one I love…Prepare to die. Basilisk was licensed by FUNimation Entertainment and produced by Japan's leading anime studio GONZO.
Gunslinger Girl – Premieres Friday, January 12, 2007 at 11:00 pm ET (13 x 24')
Set in scenic Italy, Gunslinger Girl uses beauty to offset the story's tragedy. Officially, the Social Welfare Agency is a government sponsored corporation that's in the business of saving lives. At least, that's the ruse. In reality, it's an agency on the fringe of technology. They give terminal patients another shot at life using cybernetic implants, but it comes with a cost. The girls become child assassins teamed with a handler, responsible for their training and conditioning, their performance in the field, and their overall welfare and development. As the series progresses so do the core conflicts: for the child, trying to separate her natural feelings and emotions from those instilled by the conditioning process; for the handler, balancing the needs and desires between assassin and the developing adolescent. Gunslinger Girl explores the dynamics between these fratello teams and how they deal with their combined fates. The series was licensed by FUNimation Entertainment, produced by Madhouse Studios, and directed by Morio Asaka.
About IFC Television
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial-free.
The network is part of IFC Companies – the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and two FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.