The Japanese Film Festival - Eiga Sai 2013 once again invades Cebu. This is in celebration of the Philippine-Japan friendship month. The theme for this year's event is "ASEAN-Japan Partnership: Thoughts Connected-Future Connected".
These films are shown for FREE with English subititles. Again, the earlier the better as tickets come in a first-come-first-served basis. See schedules below:
August 7
About Her Brother - 7PM
August 8
Confessions - 7PM
August 9
Parade - 7PM
August 10
Japan, Our Homeland - 1:30PM
Mai Mai Miracloe - 4:30PM
Dear Doctor - 7PM
August 11
Rinco's Restaurant 1:30PM
ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street 2 - 4:30PM
KAMUI - 7PM
** Shown @ Ayala Center Cebu Cinema
SYNOPSIS:
About Her Brother
Master filmmaker Yamada Yoji, known for his humanistic films, directs his first contemporary feature in ten years. Paying homage to Ichikawa Kon’s film of the same title,the film presents a heartwarming depiction of the bond between a hard-working older sister and her younger brother, a failed performer. Widowed young, Ginko (Yoshinaga Sayuri) runs a pharmacy and lives with her daughter, Koharu (Aoi Yu), and her motherin-law, Kinuyo (Kato Haruko). Koharu was to marry a distinguished doctor; and, out of the blue, Ginko’s long lost brother, Tetsuro (Shofukutei Tsurube), showed up drunk at the wedding; thus, ruined the occas
Confessions
Nakashima Tetsuya, director of Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma Monogatari) and Memories of MATSUKO (Kiraware Matsuko no Issho) discards his distinctive flashy and comical style and ventures into new territory with this more somber piece, based on Minato Kanae’s mystery novel. The film has been selected as Japan’s entry for the 83rd Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film. Moriguchi Yuko (Matsu Takako) is a junior high school teacher who has lost a daughter. She has reason to believe that the murderer is among her students so she announces to the class her intentions to avenge her daughter’s death. A punishment beyond anyone’s imagination awaits the killer...
Parade
A dark coming-of-age ensemble piece adapted from Yoshida Shuichi’s novel, which won the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize. Appraised for his portrayal of restless and apathetic youth, director Yukisada Isao depicts how repeated incidents of violent assault cast a shadow on the superficial relationship between a group of five young men and women. Film production employee Naoki (Fujiwara Tatsuya), struggling illustrator Mirai (Karina), part-timer Kotomi (Kanjiya Shihori), and college student Ryosuke (Koide Keisuke) share an apartment. Their seemingly peaceful communal life starts to go awry when a male prostitute, Satoru (Hayashi Kento), comes into their lives
Japan, Our Homeland
In the late 1950s, Japan was in a state of recovery from the ravages of the war?developing its economy. In downtown Tokyo, children always played outdoors until sunset and were awaited warmly at home by their families. Akira is an ordinary boy?naive and serious; Gon is the boss; and, Hakase is a genius. One spring, a new female music teacher and a pretty girl?Shizu, who likes to sing join their class. They decide to join a singing competition in school; ‘DOYO’ (Japanese children’s songs) was their choice and they practice well. However, some boys in the school are found shoplifting; as a result, the class is forced to withdraw from the singing competition… But somehow, Akira and his classmates try to re-enter the competition. There was a strong will to realize Ms. Sakamoto’s wish and Shizu’s dream to become a singer.
Mai Mai Miracle
Nostalgic full length animated film adaptation of the autobiographical novel of the same title by Akutagawa Prize winner, Takagi Nobuko. Set in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture in the mid 1950’s, a place which still retains historic sites and placenames of the Heian period. The film portrays the warm friendship between a young local girl (Shinko) with a rich imagination, and a girl (Kiiko) who came from Tokyo. Production house MADHOUSE (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; Summer Wars), completed the film using visually pleasing graphics. Shinko (voiced by Fukuda Mayuko) is an energetic third-grader who has a curl in her forehead that she calls her “Mai Mai.” She loves listening to her grandfather’s stories of the Heian period, and finds herself imaging the lives of those who lived 1000 years ago. When Kiiko (voiced by Mizusawa Nako) came, the ever-curious Shinko finds Kiiko’s unfamiliarity with the local ways to be fascinating. They become fast friends, and spent much time together. They started on a project to stop the canals and build a dammed lake; and, taking care of a goldfish they had discovered.
Dear Doctor
The third film from Nishikawa Miwa, whose previous film Sway garnered many domestic film awards and gained attention at the Cannes film festival. A novel she herself wrote, bated on the idea of this film, was nominated for the Naoki Prize. This sincere, humanistic drama takes a scalpel to the timely theme of rural medical treatment against a beautiful pastoral backdrop. Rakugo storyteller Shofukutei Tsurube, gives a highly empathetic performance in his first lead role, as a medical practitioner (Dr. Ino) beloved by the mountain village residents. Dr. Ino suddenly vanishes after meeting with a terminal patient; and, his identity puzzled the villagers
Rinco's Restaurant
A heartwarming human drama based on lyricist Ogawa Ito’s debut novel. Using CG animation and musical scenes, this fantastical film shows us the small miracles a little heartfelt cooking can bring. In shock from a heart break, Rinco (Shibasaki Kou) has lost her voice. She reluctantly moves in with her himsical mother Ruriko (Yo Kimiko), but trying to find a way to provide for herself, she decides to convert the guest house into a restaurant, where she serves only one pair of guests a day with carefully cooked meals. Soon word spreads that “dining there will bring you happiness.”
ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street 2
A sequel to ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street (ALWAYS Sancho-me no Yuhi), an empathic drama set in the Showa era. Direction, script and VFX are again by Yamazaki Takashi, as in the first part. The full use of VFX to realistically recreate the street scenes of the Showa era was well talked about in the first part. This sequel shows Nihombashi and Haneda airport recreated as in those days.Spring of 1959. Chagawa (Yoshioka Hidetaka) still thinks of Hiromi (Koyuki) who took off without a word, while living with Junnosuke(Suga Kenta), a boy Hiromi left in his care. At Suzuki Auto, where Suzuki Norifumi (Tsutsumi Shinichi) and his wife Tomoe (Yakushimaru Hiroko) live, Mutsuko (Horikita Maki) is established enough to be on her own. Then the Suzukis gain a new family member - their relatives’ daughter whom they are going to look after. As for Chagawa, Junnosuke’s biological father, Kawabuchi, comes to take back his son. In order to keep Junnosuke with him, the father imposes conditions upon him to give the boy a decent life. To secure a stable life and to prove himself to Hiromi, Chagawa starts writing again to win the Akutagawa award, a once abandoned hope
Kamui
Director/screenwriter Sai Yoichi and screenwriter Kudo Kankuro have created a live action period piece based on the internationally famous classic Ninja comic by Shirato Sampei. Kamui (Matsuyama Kenichi), born in the 17th century in the lower classes of society, became a Ninja in order to survive. Unable to bear the restrictive rules and brutality, he fled?known as an escaped Ninja. Being a fugitive, he lived in the home of fisherman Hanbei (Kobayashi Kaoru) whose life he saved. Hanbei’s wife Sugaru (Koyuki)?herself an escaped Ninja did not trust him. Meanwhile, Hanbei’s daughter Sayaka (Ohgo Suzuka) finds herself falling in love with him
These films are shown for FREE with English subititles. Again, the earlier the better as tickets come in a first-come-first-served basis. See schedules below:
August 7
About Her Brother - 7PM
August 8
Confessions - 7PM
August 9
Parade - 7PM
August 10
Japan, Our Homeland - 1:30PM
Mai Mai Miracloe - 4:30PM
Dear Doctor - 7PM
August 11
Rinco's Restaurant 1:30PM
ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street 2 - 4:30PM
KAMUI - 7PM
** Shown @ Ayala Center Cebu Cinema
SYNOPSIS:
About Her Brother
Master filmmaker Yamada Yoji, known for his humanistic films, directs his first contemporary feature in ten years. Paying homage to Ichikawa Kon’s film of the same title,the film presents a heartwarming depiction of the bond between a hard-working older sister and her younger brother, a failed performer. Widowed young, Ginko (Yoshinaga Sayuri) runs a pharmacy and lives with her daughter, Koharu (Aoi Yu), and her motherin-law, Kinuyo (Kato Haruko). Koharu was to marry a distinguished doctor; and, out of the blue, Ginko’s long lost brother, Tetsuro (Shofukutei Tsurube), showed up drunk at the wedding; thus, ruined the occas
Confessions
Nakashima Tetsuya, director of Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma Monogatari) and Memories of MATSUKO (Kiraware Matsuko no Issho) discards his distinctive flashy and comical style and ventures into new territory with this more somber piece, based on Minato Kanae’s mystery novel. The film has been selected as Japan’s entry for the 83rd Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film. Moriguchi Yuko (Matsu Takako) is a junior high school teacher who has lost a daughter. She has reason to believe that the murderer is among her students so she announces to the class her intentions to avenge her daughter’s death. A punishment beyond anyone’s imagination awaits the killer...
Parade
A dark coming-of-age ensemble piece adapted from Yoshida Shuichi’s novel, which won the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize. Appraised for his portrayal of restless and apathetic youth, director Yukisada Isao depicts how repeated incidents of violent assault cast a shadow on the superficial relationship between a group of five young men and women. Film production employee Naoki (Fujiwara Tatsuya), struggling illustrator Mirai (Karina), part-timer Kotomi (Kanjiya Shihori), and college student Ryosuke (Koide Keisuke) share an apartment. Their seemingly peaceful communal life starts to go awry when a male prostitute, Satoru (Hayashi Kento), comes into their lives
Japan, Our Homeland
In the late 1950s, Japan was in a state of recovery from the ravages of the war?developing its economy. In downtown Tokyo, children always played outdoors until sunset and were awaited warmly at home by their families. Akira is an ordinary boy?naive and serious; Gon is the boss; and, Hakase is a genius. One spring, a new female music teacher and a pretty girl?Shizu, who likes to sing join their class. They decide to join a singing competition in school; ‘DOYO’ (Japanese children’s songs) was their choice and they practice well. However, some boys in the school are found shoplifting; as a result, the class is forced to withdraw from the singing competition… But somehow, Akira and his classmates try to re-enter the competition. There was a strong will to realize Ms. Sakamoto’s wish and Shizu’s dream to become a singer.
Mai Mai Miracle
Nostalgic full length animated film adaptation of the autobiographical novel of the same title by Akutagawa Prize winner, Takagi Nobuko. Set in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture in the mid 1950’s, a place which still retains historic sites and placenames of the Heian period. The film portrays the warm friendship between a young local girl (Shinko) with a rich imagination, and a girl (Kiiko) who came from Tokyo. Production house MADHOUSE (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; Summer Wars), completed the film using visually pleasing graphics. Shinko (voiced by Fukuda Mayuko) is an energetic third-grader who has a curl in her forehead that she calls her “Mai Mai.” She loves listening to her grandfather’s stories of the Heian period, and finds herself imaging the lives of those who lived 1000 years ago. When Kiiko (voiced by Mizusawa Nako) came, the ever-curious Shinko finds Kiiko’s unfamiliarity with the local ways to be fascinating. They become fast friends, and spent much time together. They started on a project to stop the canals and build a dammed lake; and, taking care of a goldfish they had discovered.
Dear Doctor
The third film from Nishikawa Miwa, whose previous film Sway garnered many domestic film awards and gained attention at the Cannes film festival. A novel she herself wrote, bated on the idea of this film, was nominated for the Naoki Prize. This sincere, humanistic drama takes a scalpel to the timely theme of rural medical treatment against a beautiful pastoral backdrop. Rakugo storyteller Shofukutei Tsurube, gives a highly empathetic performance in his first lead role, as a medical practitioner (Dr. Ino) beloved by the mountain village residents. Dr. Ino suddenly vanishes after meeting with a terminal patient; and, his identity puzzled the villagers
Rinco's Restaurant
A heartwarming human drama based on lyricist Ogawa Ito’s debut novel. Using CG animation and musical scenes, this fantastical film shows us the small miracles a little heartfelt cooking can bring. In shock from a heart break, Rinco (Shibasaki Kou) has lost her voice. She reluctantly moves in with her himsical mother Ruriko (Yo Kimiko), but trying to find a way to provide for herself, she decides to convert the guest house into a restaurant, where she serves only one pair of guests a day with carefully cooked meals. Soon word spreads that “dining there will bring you happiness.”
ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street 2
A sequel to ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street (ALWAYS Sancho-me no Yuhi), an empathic drama set in the Showa era. Direction, script and VFX are again by Yamazaki Takashi, as in the first part. The full use of VFX to realistically recreate the street scenes of the Showa era was well talked about in the first part. This sequel shows Nihombashi and Haneda airport recreated as in those days.Spring of 1959. Chagawa (Yoshioka Hidetaka) still thinks of Hiromi (Koyuki) who took off without a word, while living with Junnosuke(Suga Kenta), a boy Hiromi left in his care. At Suzuki Auto, where Suzuki Norifumi (Tsutsumi Shinichi) and his wife Tomoe (Yakushimaru Hiroko) live, Mutsuko (Horikita Maki) is established enough to be on her own. Then the Suzukis gain a new family member - their relatives’ daughter whom they are going to look after. As for Chagawa, Junnosuke’s biological father, Kawabuchi, comes to take back his son. In order to keep Junnosuke with him, the father imposes conditions upon him to give the boy a decent life. To secure a stable life and to prove himself to Hiromi, Chagawa starts writing again to win the Akutagawa award, a once abandoned hope
Kamui
Director/screenwriter Sai Yoichi and screenwriter Kudo Kankuro have created a live action period piece based on the internationally famous classic Ninja comic by Shirato Sampei. Kamui (Matsuyama Kenichi), born in the 17th century in the lower classes of society, became a Ninja in order to survive. Unable to bear the restrictive rules and brutality, he fled?known as an escaped Ninja. Being a fugitive, he lived in the home of fisherman Hanbei (Kobayashi Kaoru) whose life he saved. Hanbei’s wife Sugaru (Koyuki)?herself an escaped Ninja did not trust him. Meanwhile, Hanbei’s daughter Sayaka (Ohgo Suzuka) finds herself falling in love with him
where do we get the tickets? :)
ReplyDeletejust line up at the cinema, better be early like an hour earlier. i think it would be at cinema 1 like last year
ReplyDelete