Japan’s history, culture, and true-to-life stories come together in Eiga Sai – the Japanese Film Festival – as hosted once again by Japan Foundation Manila in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, top lifestyle hub Shangri-La Plaza, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines from July 4 to 14, at Cinema 2 of the Shang Cineplex.
The film fest kicks off with the screening of About Her Brother, a heartwarming story of the bond between a hard-working older sister Koharu and her long lost younger brother Tetsuro.
Meanwhile, set in a small working class town in post-war Tokyo, Always – Sunset on Third Street tells the interweaving stories of community residents at the time the famous Tokyo Tower was being constructed. It chronicled into a three-part movie series.
Other movies include:
Japan’s entry for the 83rd Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film Category, Nakashima Tetsuya’s Confessions is a gripping film about high school teacher Moriguchi Yuko, who believes that one of her students murdered her daughter.
In Rinco’s Restaurant, the heartbroken Rinco moves in with her mother and opens up a restaurant. Because of her carefully prepared meals and heartfelt cooking, her place soon became known for bringing happiness to customers.
By the award-winning Nishikawa Miwa, Dear Doctor follows the story of Ino, a well-loved village doctor. After examining widow Kazuko, Ino learns she has a terminal condition. Kazuko asks him to lie about her illness, but before long, he mysteriously disappears.
Adapted from the classic Ninja comic by Shirato Sampei, Kamui is a live action period film that portrays the fierce escape of the young Kamui from the Ninja world, hoping to find his own freedom.
Castle Under Fiery Skies, which takes place in 1575 in Feudal Japan, depicts how Oda Nobunaga’s forces defeated Takeda Katsuyori when the Nagashino Castle was besieged. Years after, Oda Nobunada builds a lavish new castle to symbolize his unification of various factions.
Parade is a dark coming-of-age film adapted from Yoshida Shuichi’s novel. Director Yukisada Isao brilliantly conveys how repeated incidents of violent assault cast a shadow on the superficial relationship between a group of five young men and women who live in an apartment together. But their seemingly peaceful life is threatened by a male prostitute who comes into their lives.
Rounding up the line-up are two award-winning animated films:
Mai Mai Miracle is a nostalgic full-length, animated film adapted from the autobiographical novel by Akutagawa Prize winner, Takagi Nobuko.
Japan, Our Homeland, a multi-awarded animation is based on an original story by director Nishizawa, describing life in a class of sixth graders in Kiba downtown Tokyo, some ten years after the Second World War and how people struggled each day to get by.
Seats are on a first-come, first served basis. Tickets are released 30 minutes before the screening. Film ratings may be confirmed at the ticket office. For inquiries, contact 370-2597 or 370-2598 or log on to www.shangrila-plaza.com.
Cover: Ellen Adarna
