TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese director Giddens Ko (九把刀) sold out all screenings at his dedicated Tokyo film festival Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 27-28). The two-day "Giddens Ko Film Festival" featured four iconic films: "mon mon mon MONSTERS," "Miss Shampoo," "Till We Meet Again," and "You Are the Apple of My Eye". The sold-out screenings highlighted Ko's enduring appeal in Japan's competitive film market and demonstrated strong cross-cultural audience interest.
Actor Kai Ko (柯震東) joined Sunday's screenings and participated in a dialogue with "Godzilla Minus One" director Yamazaki Takashi (山崎貴). Giddens Ko stated he made a movie out of his biggest regret, expressing gratitude for capturing his youth at 32 with "You Are the Apple of My Eye." He called his upcoming film "Kung Fu" a significant leap in his directing career. Yamazaki shared how not pursuing a girl he liked led him to filmmaking, connecting personal regrets to creative motivations.
Yamazaki praised the energy and rhythm in the "Kung Fu" teaser and admired Kai Ko's high school student portrayal. Kai Ko expressed eagerness to share the new film with Japanese audiences soon, reflecting on his evolution from "You Are the Apple of My Eye" to "Kung Fu." Fans packed the theater as Giddens Ko and Kai Ko signed autographs and took photos, concluding the festival.
Giddens Ko's upcoming film "Kung Fu" made a promotional appearance at the Changhua Moonlight Lantern Festival Friday (Dec. 27) in central Taiwan. Producer Lu Wei-chun (盧維君) and actor Berant Zhu (朱軒洋) participated in the traditional lighting ceremony, promoting the film to festival attendees and local audiences. The martial arts-themed film releases nationwide Feb. 13, 2026, marking Ko's return to directing after his Tokyo festival success. ◼
