Tag:

rental

‘New Family’ Featurette for ‘Rental Family’ Movie with Brendan Fraser

by jummy84 November 3, 2025

written by jummy84

‘New Family’ Featurette for ‘Rental Family’ Movie with Brendan Fraser

by Alex Billington
November 3, 2025
Source: YouTube

“Every character he meets will start adding a little bit more color into his life.” This looks so delightful. Searchlight Pictures has debuted a new promo featurette for the heartfelt film titled Rental Family, made by the filmmaker known as “Hikari” who also directed episodes of the series “Beef” & the film 37 Seconds. Rental Family already premiered at TIFF a few months ago and opens in theaters later in November this fall. Discover the joy of unexpected connections. A lonely American actor living in Tokyo starts working for a Japanese “rental family” company to play stand-in roles in other people’s lives. Along his journey, he finds surprising connections and unexpected joys within his built-in family. This stars Oscar winner Brendan Fraser, along with Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, & Akira Emoto. This fun promo focuses on explaining the story and the concept it explores – the idea that in Tokyo, Japan you can just rent a person for whatever – to be your friend, your boyfriend, your family member. I’m really looking forward to watching the film. I think this very wholesome, uplifting story is what we could use more of now.

Here’s the “Building a New Family” featurette for Hikari’s film Rental Family, on Searchlight’s YouTube:

Rental Family Featurette

You can rewatch the first official trailer for Hikari’s Rental Family movie right here for even more footage.

Set against modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family follows an American actor (Oscar winner Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find his purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his new clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that soon blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection. Rental Family is directed by the Japanese filmmaker known as Hikari (aka Mitsuyo Miyazaki), director of the film 37 Seconds previously, plus episodes of the series “Beef” from A24. The screenplay is written by Stephen Blahut and Hikari. Produced by Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman, Shin Yamaguchi, and Hikari. This is premiering at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival this fall. Searchlight will then debut Hikari’s Rental Family in select US theaters starting on November 21st, 2025 coming soon this fall. Who’s planning to watch this?

Find more posts in: Featurette, To Watch, Trailer

November 3, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

‘Rental Family’ and ‘Hamnet’ Win Audience Prize at Middleburg

by jummy84 October 21, 2025

written by jummy84

The 2025 Middleburg Film Festival is the latest to bestow Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet” its Audience Award for Narrative Feature, but this time the Focus Features release shares the honor with Hikari’s “Rental Family, set to be released by Searchlight Pictures.

Though the award still supports the idea that “Hamnet” is the one fall festival premiere most likely to be a Best Picture Oscar frontrunner next year, especially since it also won the coveted People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, it being tied with “Rental Family” helps paint a picture of how there can be plenty of films that excite audiences outside the New York/Los Angeles bubble.

Keep in mind, the Audience Award process at Middleburg is similar to the one at Toronto, in that any film screening at the festival is eligible. And the harsh thing about Toronto this year was how many well-received premieres, be it “Rental Family” or “Roofman,” had been said to have had their awards campaigns tanked by not winning said People’s Choice Award, as if their worth is tied to their potential to win an Academy Award.

“Rental Family,” which closed the 2025 Middleburg Film Festival, with writer/director Hikari present to receive a standing ovation, was described by IndieWire critic David Ehrlich as “a gentle little movie that recognizes truth and performance as two sides of the same coin.” Pegged as a crowdpleaser before it had publicly screened anywhere, the response the Brendan Fraser response received at Middleburg, from an audience that primarily consists of wealthy film enthusiasts in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, quite a few who work in the film industry, proved that initial read to be justified. Worth noting “Frankenstein,” the runner-up for the People’s Choice Award at Toronto, had also screened at Middleburg.

Anyhow, another film that had arguably been overshadowed at other festivals, but got its turn in the spotlight at Middleburg was “The Cycle of Love,” which took the Top Documentary Prize. Another Telluride world premiere a la “Hamnet,” the film tells the true story of an Indian man cycling 6000 miles cross-continent on bicycle to find his love. Other documentaries that screened at the festival include Netflix’s “Cover-Up” and National Geographic films “Love+War” and “The Tale of Silyan,” yet “The Cycle of Love” has yet to find a distributor. One can imagine the filmmakers hope the Middleburg audience’s reaction can be leveraged in a partner ready to campaign the film as a true Best Documentary Feature contender.

Though it won the Jury Prize after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which won the Top International Prize at Middleburg, has yet to find a distributor, even though it is directed by two-time Oscar nominee Kaouther Ben Hania and has already been selected to represent Tunisia for Best International Feature.

Outside of actual prizewinners, this particular regional crowd anecdotally hailed a mix of the expected, like Palme d’Or winner “It Was Just an Accident” from director Jafar Panahi or Scott Cooper’s “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” and unexpected like A24 romantic comedy “Eternity,” starring Elizabeth Olsen (programmed as the Saturday Spotlight film), and Searchlight Pictures’ “Is This Thing On?”

A portion of the older crowd seemed to still have difficulty with “After the Hunt,” or even “If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You,” which features a visceral performance from Rose Byrne, but were very warm on most of Netflix’s slate of films, from Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly,” which opened the festival, to Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague,” and Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man,” the latest installment in the “Knives Out” franchise.

“We’re thrilled to see how our slate of films connected so profoundly with our audiences,” said Middleburg Film Festival Executive Director Susan Koch via statement. “The humanity and emotional depth of these four films clearly struck a chord, reflecting the kind of bold, globally minded storytelling our festival strives to champion.”

October 21, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

Hawaii Film Fest To Open With ‘Rental Family’; Screen ‘No Other Choice’

by jummy84 September 18, 2025

written by jummy84

EXCLUSIVE: This year’s Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) will open with Rental Family, starring Brendan Fraser, and has set Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice as its Centrepiece Film.

Fraser stars as a down-and-out American actor adrift in Tokyo in Rental Family, which was filmed in Japan. The film is directed by Japan-born, US-based filmmaker and former actress Hikari, who has also directed episodes of Tokyo Vice and Netflix series Beef. No Other Choice, fresh from critical acclaim at the Venice and Toronto film festivals, has also just screened as the opening film of Busan International Film Festival.

Park is also being honoured with the Vision In Film Award at HIFF, which will also present a Career Achievement Award to New Zealand actress Melanie Lynksey (Pike River) and Maverick Award to Japanese director and action choreographer Kenji Tanigaki (The Furious). Japanese comedian Yuriyan Retriever will receive the festival’s New Vanguard Award.

In addition, the creative team behind Apple TV+ series Chief Of War – inspired by Native Hawaiian history and co-created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett – will be presented with a Trailblazer Award. The team also includes producer Brian Keaulana and many members of the Kānaka Maoli and Pacific Islander community.

HIFF is also launching its first ever industry conference in Honolulu, which will bring together Hawai’i’s creative community with visiting filmmakers and film agencies from across the Asia Pacific Rim.

Keynote speakers set to attend HIFILM Industry Conference (October 24–26) include former Amazon Original Movies head of physical production Glenn Gainor, who has launched new outfit Hollywood Ventures; and Oscar-winning documentary director Ben Proudfoot (The Queen Of Basketball), who recently directed The Eyes Of Ghana, produced by the Obamas. The conference will also present a deep dive into the writing and production of Chief Of War.

“This new platform brings together a cross-section of professionals from across the industry – Sundance alums, Academy Award winners, Hollywood execs, international co-production experts, and cultural workers to examine how production impacts real communities, both above and below the line,” said HIFF Artistic Director Anderson Le.

“At a time of massive paradigm shifts, especially in Hawai’i, it’s vital we explore these real-world effects and anticipate the trends shaping the future of storytelling as it pertains to authenticity and the global marketplace.”

In total, HIFF will screen 72 features and 143 short films from 44 countries. The festival has expanded its shorts programming as it’s the only festival in the State of Hawaii to be an Academy Award qualifier for short films. Two awards will be handed out in the shorts categories – Best Short Film and the Best Made in Hawaii Award, dedicated to short films from Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

HIFF will also present the HIFF Kau Ka Hōkū (Shooting Star) Award to the best emerging filmmaker at the festival and the Pasifika Award for Best Feature Film, which focuses on films with a Pacific Islander perspective. The nominees for both awards are listed below.

Other highlights include titles from Sundance, Cannes, Toronto and Busan film festivals along with major films from the Asia Pacific Rim that will screen at HIFF before their domestic releases. Best of fest titles include Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, Lav Diaz’ Magellan, Oliver Laxe’s Sirat, Mascha Schlininski’s The Sound Of Falling and Kleber Mendonca’s The Secret Agent.

“HIFF45 continues our legacy of showcasing the most exciting and groundbreaking voices in global cinema, while also creating a vital hub for industry exchange through our inaugural HIFILM Industry Conference,” said HIFF Executive Director Beckie Stocchetti.

The fest is scheduled to run October 15-26 in Honolulu and October 28-30 in West O`ahu, followed by screenings on Maui (Oct 19-20), Lana`I (Oct 21-23), Kaua`I (Nov 1-3), Big Island (Waimea, Nov 7-9), Maui (Nov 8-9) Big Island (Hilo, Nov 13-16) and Moloka`I (Nov 14-16).

HIFF45 KAU KA HŌKŪ (SHOOTING STAR) AWARD NOMINEES:

A Paradise Lost (Hawai’i, US)
World Premiere
Director: Laurie Sumiye

Ainu Puri (Japan)
North American Premiere
Director: Takeshi Fukunaga

Before The Bright Day (Taiwan)
US Premiere
Director: Shih-Han Tsao

Before The Moon Falls (Hawai’i, US)
US Premiere
Director: Kimberlee Bassford

Food Delivery: Fresh From The Philippine Sea (Philippines)
US Premiere
Director: Baby Ruth Villarama

Fwends (Australia)
North American Premiere
Director: Sophie Somerville

Ky Nam Inn (Vietnam)
US Premiere
Director: Leon Le

Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan)
Hawai‘i Premiere
Director: Shih-Ching Tsou

Lucky Lu (US, Taiwan)
Hawai‘I Premiere
Director: Lloyd Lee Choi

Mag Mag (Japan)
Hawai‘i Premiere
Director: Yuriyan Retriever

Nika And Madison (Canada)
US Premiere
Director: Eva Thomas

Rosemead (US)
Hawai‘i Premiere
Director: Eric Lin

HIFF45 PASIFIKA AWARD NOMINEES:

A Paradise Lost (Hawai’i, US)
World Premiere
Director: Laurie Sumiye

Before The Moon Falls (Hawai’i, US)
US Premiere
Director: Kimberlee Bassford

Indigenous Na‘Au (Hawai’i, US)
World Premiere
Director: Ku’ulei Ka’ili

Kōkā (Aotearoa New Zealand)
US Premiere
Director: Kath Akuhata-Brown

Mālama Mākua (Hawai’i, US)
World Premiere
Director: Mikey Inouye

Mārama (Aotearoa New Zealand)
US Premiere
Director: Taratoa Stappard

Remathau: People Of The Ocean (Hawai’i, US)
World Premiere
Director: Daniel H. Lin

September 18, 2025 0 comments

Lifestyle

Want to personalise your rental place? 6 easy decor tips to make it feel like home

by jummy84 September 7, 2025

written by jummy84

Does your rental home feel bland? While lease restrictions may make certain alterations off-limits, that doesn’t mean your interiors have to feel dull. A bare home, lacking warmth, can feel oddly empty and unwelcoming, even affecting your mood. With the right touches, your decor will even make your landlord stop and stare, in a good way, maybe even pick your brain about the creative process.

Smart decor ensures you don’t break any rules while also making your interiors stylish.(Shutterstock)

ALSO READ: Want your home to feel ‘lived-in’? Know the top design and decor tips for comfy interiors

The solution lies in finding creative but reversible ways to personalise your space without inflicting any damage. HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand how one can decorate their rented homes safely without permanently affecting the structure.

Ritika Rakhian, founder and principal architect at Urban Mistrii, recommended eight hacks that cover all the essentials, from wall treatments to creating signature corners:

1. Start with movable furniture and decor

Furniture is your best ally in adding personality without permanent changes.
Invest in versatile pieces that work across different spaces, like modular sofas, nesting tables, and multipurpose storage units.
Layer in area rugs to define spaces, add warmth, and hide less-than-ideal flooring.

2. Use temporary wall treatments

If painting isn’t allowed, peel-and-stick wallpapers and decals can transform a blank wall instantly and be removed without damage.
For renters wary of even that, large-scale art, framed prints, or fabric wall hangings can add colour and texture without touching the paint.

3. Lighting

Swap out harsh ceiling fixtures for stylish pendant lights or floor lamps (keeping the original fittings safe to reinstall before moving out).
Warm-toned LED bulbs can make your home feel cosier and more inviting.

4. Layer textiles for comfort

Soft furnishings like cushions, throws, and curtains are easy to update and move with you.
They add colour, texture, and personality, plus, they help soften echoey spaces common in rentals.
Opt for curtains that complement your furniture and can be adapted to different window sizes.

5. Bring in greenery

Indoor plants instantly make a space feel more lived-in and vibrant.
From low-maintenance succulents to statement fiddle leaf figs, greenery adds life and improves air quality without any permanent alterations.

6. Create a signature corner

Dedicate one area, whether it’s a reading nook, a home office desk, or a coffee corner, to reflect your personality.

While it is good to decorate your rented space, it’s important to also not go overboard and overstep the rules. Ritika cautioned, “Always review your lease before making changes, and choose updates you can easily reverse when moving out. This ensures you leave the property in its original state and keep your security deposit intact.”

Another expert weighed in on this from a layout perspective. Parul Agarwal, co-founder and director at Renascent Consultants, shared his insights on the spatial aspect of the layout, that is, how you arrange furniture and decor pieces to make your spaces more lively. He said, “Observe how you naturally move through the rooms, how the light enters at different times of the day, and which corners feel most inviting. Simple adjustments, like orienting your furniture to take advantage of natural light or clearing pathways to make movement more intuitive, can transform the experience of living in the space.”

Talking about how one can apply visual interest, he elaborated, “Introduce visual boundaries with rugs, open shelving, or even a folding screen can help carve out dedicated areas for work, dining, or relaxation.”

For a beautiful rental home, these clever hacks make your home feel warm and truly yours without breaching any rules.

September 7, 2025 0 comments