Fuji to mount new line-up at AFM

'Shaolin Girl' scheduled for spring release

By MARK SCHILLING

Fuji TV, the network behind some of the biggest Japanese pics of the past decade, is bringing the latest pic from blockbuster producers Stephen Chow and Chihiro Kameyama to the AFM.

The action film, "Shaolin Girl," stars Kou Shibazaki and Katsuyuki Motohiro, and is skedded for a spring release in Japan, with Gaga handling international sales.

Repping the bulk of the Fuji slate is Pony Canyon, which is bringing the first clips to AFM of "The Magic Hour," the new comedy by Koki Mitani, whose ensemble laffer "Suite Dreams" grossed $52.8 million in 2006.  Koichi Sato, Satoshi Tsumabuki and Eri Fukatsu star, with a release planned for May.

Also preeming at AFM is "Wrestling With a Memory" (Gachi-Boy), a pic based on a popular legit theater production starring  Ryuta Sato and directed by Norihiko Koizumi. Pic is skedded for a March release.

Among the completed pics on offer are "Smilers," the second feature pic helmed by actor Takanori Jinnai, and "Season of Snow," a sport-pic-cum-romantic-drama. Eiichiro Hasumi, whose credits include the sea actioner "Umizaru 2: Test of Trust," a $62 million hit for Fuji last year, is helming.

"Smilers" is skedded for a Christmas bow, while ""Season of Snow" will hit the theaters around New Year's.