There’s a new film out called Girl Model that explores the Tokyo – Euro modelling exchange. We just saw it at a press screening in New York and it is a very, very well-made documentary about a topic long overdue for exposure.
It follows young Siberian model Nadya and the American scout Ashley who finds her and sends her to Tokyo. Along the way we meet the Russian in charge of getting her there and her ambigiously-motivated Japanese agency.
I felt a compulsion to post about it here seeing as it shares some similar characters and locations to Beaufort’s fictional film about models in Tokyo – Tiger - and even features our lead actress, Rachel Blais, speaking candidly and intelligently about the sinister side of modelling in Japan.
It will play at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
This track is available on the second CD included with the Tiger DVD. It doesn’t actually feature in the film, but is part of a six-track extension soundtrack that evokes emotions surrounding events in the film. When you’ve got a very small budget to shoot a story, there are things that are left out and the extension soundtrack, mostly simple piano pieces, serves to fill the gaps.
Also, our latest short film Burning Hearts is playing in Hamburg this May as part of the Japan Film Fest. The festival runs from the 25th-29th. Ace ace ace.
Here’s a screenshot of Anna Shpak and Rory Stewart grappling on the streets of Asakusa.
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