【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. screening / ˈskri nɪŋ / (n.) – the showing of a movie
Example: The movie’s screening will be held at the town’s plaza.
2. swap / swɒp / (v.) – to exchange
Example: He swapped his old smartphone for a newer model.
3. unfold / ʌnˈfoʊld / (v.) – to be revealed or known
Example: He understood the character more as his story continued to unfold.
4. steal the spotlight / stil ðəˈspɒtˌlaɪt / (idiom) – to give the most excellent performance among others
Example: Their short film won the award after stealing the spotlight in the festival.
5. misleading / mɪsˈli dɪŋ / (adj.) – providing the wrong information
Example: The newspaper was sued for publishing misleading news about the celebrity.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Japanese anime film Kimi no Na wa. (Your Name.) has reaped success and recognition internationally.
The animated movie has become the highest-grossing Japanese movie in several countries such as China, Thailand, and Taiwan. According to China’s People’s Daily Online, the film was such a big hit in China that it was shown in over 7,000 cinemas around the country.
In addition to being a box-office success, Kimi no Na wa. received the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s Best Animation award last December.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the film has earned around $200 million since its premiere screening on August 26. It also became the highest-grossing film in the country last year. The film’s distributor said that the movie’s power to connect with society may have been the reason behind its success.
The film features the romantic story of two Japanese teenagers who had never met each other. The story revolves around the mysterious swapping of their bodies and their experiences while living each other’s lives. The anime highlights the pair’s journey as they try to meet each other and their realizations as the mystery that surrounds them unfolds.
Another Japanese anime movie that has also stolen the spotlight in recent years is Stand by Me Doraemon. In China, the film was able to earn twice as much as Spirited Away’s profit in the country within only 11 days of screening.
Japanese anime movies continue to thrive overseas despite some difficulties that affect their international profits. Some of these difficulties include challenges in obtaining rights to air movies and having only small-scale releases in foreign cinemas. The spread of pirated versions with misleading subtitles also affects the success of the films.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Will you watch a film because it is a blockbuster movie? Why or why not?
· Do you prefer watching movies that everyone is talking about or those that are less known? Why?
Discussion B
· What do you think are the qualities that can make a movie successful internationally? Enumerate.
· What film from your country would you recommend to foreigners? Tell your tutor about the movie.
