Influential Japanese manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto’s five volume graphic novel series Ping Pong (1996-2001), published by Shogakukan, explores the relationship between two teenage friends and ping pong players. The coming of age story told in the series was the inspiration for the 2002 movie Ping Pong..
His drawing style has a kinetic energy which captures the nature of ping pong and moves the reader through the pages of this graphic novel at a dramatic rate, with a few moments of quiet contemplation.
"American comics are powerful and cool. European comics seem very intellectual. And Japanese comics are very light-hearted. If you could combine the best of all three, you could create some really tremendous work. That's my goal."
Susan Sarandon, the American actress, is in Sweden this week to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Stockholm Film Festival. She has requested a meeting with the table tennis legend, Jan-Ove Waldner. Jan-Ove Waldner is considered to be one of the all time greatest players in the history of table tennis and is a national hero of Sweden. Sarandon, a good player in her own right, is co-owner of Spin New York. Waldner will sit next to Sarandon at the dinner where she is to be honored. The 20th Stockholm International Film Festival is held from November 18 to 29. Sarandon will receive her award on November 21 at the Skandia Theater.
