SLICE OF LIFE DRAMA TO ABSURDIST MANGA COMEDY -JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL

 

Images: Top – BEFORE WE VANISH Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. They are among us and plans for human extinction are afoot.
Second – A DOUBLE LIFE Directed by  Yoshiyuki Kishi,taking  inspiration from French artist Sophie Calle’s work following strangers.

 

JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL REVEALS 2017 PROGRAM

 The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) returns in 2017 with a line-up of the very best of fresh and classic Japanese cinema, 16-26 November at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney

Curated by the Japan Foundation, Sydney, the 2017 Festival will present the most exciting new films direct from Japan, including comedies, samurai and yakuza action, manga adaptations, romances, drama and much more.

The Festival will open in true Japanese style with MUMON: THE LAND OF STEALTH, an action-packed film about a deadly ninja with unmatched strength who accidentally triggers a deadly battle between a warlord’s army and the ninjas in his province. Directed by Yoshihiro Nakamura (Fish Story) and starring Satoshi Ohno (The Locked Room), this film will have audiences on the edge of their seats.

Other program highlights of the 2017 Festival include BIRDS WITHOUT NAMES, a visceral tale of lust, devotion and redemption from Kazuya Shiraishi (The Devil’s Path) fresh from the Toronto International Film Festival; MY UNCLE, a heartfelt comedy about a young boy who embarks on a transpacific adventure with his eccentric, free-loading uncle; and A DOUBLE LIFE, a poignant drama from first-time feature film director Yoshiyuki Kishi, which was nominated for Best Director and Best Actress at London’s Raindance Film Festival in 2016.

Fans of Japanese Anime will be delighted by Katabuchi Sunao’s (Mai Mai Miracle) adaption of Kono Fumiyo’s comic IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD, a captivating and beautifully hand-drawn coming of age story set in turbulent times; and ANCIEN AND THE MAGIC TABLET, a multi-layered story of mystery and spirited adventure inspired by the sleepy but brave Okayama folk hero Momotaro, that merges a science fiction-inspired dream world with the glimmering beauty of contemporary Okayama.

“Every film in this year’s program was handpicked to present fresh perspectives and showcase the next generation of Japanese cinema,” said JFF Program Coordinator, Margarett Cortez. “Among this selection are genre-benders such as BEFORE WE VANISH by veteran Kiyoshi Kurosawa, stunning arthouse comeback film SNOW WOMAN by Asia’s indie darling Kiki Sugino, and international collaborations such as GUKOROKU – TRACES OF SIN by filmmaker Kei Ishikawa and Polish cinematographer Piotr Niemyjski. We’re also excited to introduce new blood in the Japanese cinema industry through a short film special supported by ‘New Directions in Japanese Cinema’, a Japanese government program supporting emerging filmmakers.”

The Festival will also host a number of special event screenings and special guest Q&A screenings in select cities.

The program is available via www.japanesefilmfestival.net