HESO interviews Robert May, co-producer of The Animation Show, and independent animators Bill Plympton & Don Hertzfeldt.
HESO: Can you tell us a bit about the history of Animation Festivals in the US and abroad?
Robert May: In the 1950’s a group of international independent animators formed Association Internationale du Film d’Animation (ASIFA) to help bring animators and filmmakers from around the world together to communicate ideas. A festival was born from this in Annecy France. The International Annecy Animation festival is still the largest in the world today and embodies that original spirit. The …

For those in the Tokyo community who don’t know her, know of her or haven’t attended one of her celebrated Parties For Peace DJ soirees, Peace Boat International Coordinator and activist Emilie McGlone is motivated and charismatic, a deadly combination when it comes to getting what she wants. Luckily her wish list is not laden with the many luxuries lining Ginza boutiques but rather consists of the altruistic desire to help people. That and party. Party positively, of course. It’s a long story, but an interesting one, …

A Telecino Cinema (Spain)/Dynamo Capital (Colombia) production in association with Tequila Gang (Mexico). Produced by Álvaro Augustin, Rodrigo Guerrero, Eneko Lizarraga, Bertha Navarro, Guillermo del Toro. Directed, written by Sebastián Cordero, based on the novel by Sergio Bizzio.
With: Martina García, Gustavo Sánchez Parra, Concha Velasco, Xabier Elorriaga, Icíar Bollaín, Àlex Brendemühl.
Orson Welles once said that the only boring story was one whose balance was walked down a highway rather than on a tightrope. He was hinting at the success that often comes as a result of the precarious equilibrium at …

An Oceanic Preservation Society presentation of a Jim Clark production, in association with Diamond Docs and SkyFish Films. Produced by Paula DuPre Pesmen, Fisher Stevens. Executive producer: Jim Clark. Co-producer: Olivia Ahnemann. Directed by Louie Psihoyos. Written by Mark Monroe.
With: Richard O’Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Simon Hutchins, Mandy-Rae Cruickshank, Kirk Krack, David Rastovich, Scott Baker.
This is The Cove’s second time in Japan, and each time it comes into town carrying lots of baggage. The first time through a few years ago, toting their massive amount of production equipment from the U.S. …

Shuya Okino has been DJing on the international scene for more than two decades, bringing the best Crossover Jazz to the Americas, Europe and Asia in a soulful effort to bridge musical as well as cultural divides. Garnering early acclaim with Kyoto Jazz Massive’s first single, “Eclipse/Silent Messenger” and the release of the subsequent album Spirit of the Sun in 2002, it wasn’t until recently that Okino put out his own album, United Legends. Like everything Okino does, it’s original and with style. In the tradition of the genre he …

In 2008, just before the G8 summit took place in Hokkaido, another less covered event occurred on the same island. At the Indigenous People’s Summit, representatives of indigenous groups from all over the world met, bringing special attention to Japan’s own native people, the Ainu. Ahead of the summit, the Japanese government issued a statement recognizing the Ainu as the indigenous people of Japan, as well as promising immediate support and aid.
This was the third time the Japanese government signaled a change in its policy towards the Ainu. In 1899, …

HESO contributor Arnaud de Grave interviews Charlotte Østervang about her photographic work in the Danish freetown Christiania

On paper they read like a relatively run-of-the-mill, up and coming alternative rock band: two guitars, bass, drums, female vocalist all playing their hearts out for an eclectic independent label from backwoods, USA. Yet Deerhoof is not your typical San Francisco band. Nor is KRS (Kill Rock Stars) your typical label. Though somehow the two are a perfect fit, Deerhoof ranking as the all-woman-run, Olympia-based label’s oldest and best-selling act. Originating as a drums and guitar duo in the mid-90s, it has taken over ten years, ten albums and ten …

Cornelius is not a man. Nor, for that matter, is he an ape (though the name comes from Planet of the Apes). Cornelius is a musical group founded by Oyamada Keigo (小山田圭吾) in the early 90s after his Shibuya-kei duo with Ozawa Kenji, Flipper’s Guitar, split up. Suddenly a solo act, Oyamada spent the next five or so years crafting his persona and honing his production skills, a sabbatical ultimately culminating in what made it all worth the wait—the music.
1997 saw Cornelius break into various European and American indie scenes …

I was lucky enough to be invited along to the Björk Volta concert in Tokyo, on both nights to met up with and interview Damian Taylor, the musical director and band member, watch the show, take photos and find out more about the tour and instruments. Unfortunately Björk couldn’t do an interview herself, as she needed to save her voice between shows, but still got to meet her and the band and hang out and even went karaoke with them all- of course Björk didn’t sing, and had to instead …

We introduce someone who has continued to make remarkable strides in the world’s poorest regions and in countries caught in conflict. His job in the context of conflict resolution through community activism consists of helping others transcend their many differences so that they may establish ties. It is a professional undertaking of reinstituting social connections. Heso Magazine sat down with this individual- Mr. Isezaki Kenji- to ask about his work to the present and his hopes for the future.
HESO Magazine: As someone who studied architecture in graduate school, what prompted …

The two-time UK Beatbox Champion takes time out of his packed schedule to tell Heso Magazine about the inspirational genius of Bach and recording his solo album naked while surrounded by monks…
HESO Magazine: Your hometown is Brighton. For the benefit of readers outside England, enlighten us about the little town by the sea that gave us Beardyman…

Beardyman: Brighton is a beautiful little place. Some people call it London-on-sea, but they’re just jealous and overly nostalgic. It’s an awesome place to try and make it in music. True, it’s almost as …