Two movies starring popular young actor Kenichi Matsuyama (24) will be screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, it has been announced. Even including people from other countries, it is rare for the festival to include two films led by the same actor.

This year, the festival will screen more than 300 films in 19 categories. One of Matsuyama’s works is “Kamui” (directed by Yoichi Sai), an action-packed adaptation of a classic manga about a fugitive ninja. It will be part of the festival’s Special Presentations category. Matsuyama’s other work is Satoko Yokohama’s “Ultra Miracle Love Story,” which tells the story of an eccentric farmer from Aomori who falls in love with a teacher from Tokyo (Kumiko Aso). It will be shown in the Discovery category, under the international title “Bare Essence of Life.”

Unlike most major film festivals, TIFF does not have a specific competition category. Instead, the big prize is the People’s Choice Award, chosen by votes from the audience. Matsuyama had a chance to win last year with “Detroit Metal City,” but “Slumdog Millionaire” took home the prize. The last Japanese film to win the award was Takeshi Kitano’s “Zatoichi” in 2003.

A few other films from Japan will also be screened: Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Kuuki Ningyou” (“Air Doll”), Hitoshi Matsumoto’s “Symbol,” and Koji Yakusho’s “Gama no Abura” (“Toad’s Oil”).

The festival runs from September 10 to September 19.

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