SciFi Japan

    20 Extra Titles Added to 17th Japanese Film Festival in Australia

    New Films Coming to Sydney and Melbourne Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Amanda Thompson The 17th Japanese Film Festival’s two flagship cities Sydney and Melbourne have extended their line-up to include an extra 20 titles, including internationally acclaimed dramas, wacky ‘only in Japan’ comedies, several thought-provoking titles, and ‘so hot right now’ releases. In addition to the national program, 13 box office hits have been announced, with 7 more to be announced on Tuesday, 8th of October. For full details of titles released to date, please go to japanesefilmfestival.net.

    Only in Japan!

    Just when you thought you’d seen it all… crime fighting takes an eccentric turn in this nonsensical parody in HK / FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO (HK ????, HK Hentai Kamen, 2013), where the raunchy meets the ridiculous. Ryohei Suzuki, also starring in GATCHAMAN, plays ordinary teenager who transforms into a superhero Hentai Kamen when female panties are worn... on his head! Released just a week ago in Japan, THE APOLOGY KING (?????, Shazai no Ousama, 2013) is a side splitting comedy based on the art of apology, dogeza, a deep bow on one’s hands and knees. It’s tough enough apologizing for oneself; let alone making a career out of it. Starring Sadawo Abe (FRUITS OF FAITH) and Yutaka Takenouchi (OBA: THE LAST SAMURAI, A HONEYMOON IN HELL, from 2011’s Festival line-up), we apologize in advance for a guaranteed absurd and hilarious comedy.

    SHIELD OF STRAW. Photo courtesy of Celluloid Dreams. © Kazuhiro Kiuchi/Kodansha. © 2013

    Edge of Your Seat

    SHIELD OF STRAW (???, Wara no Tate, 2013) is a tense, fast-paced and confronting action thriller, the latest release from internationally acclaimed director Takashi Miike (13 ASSASSINS, HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI), that premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. For crime lovers, THE DEVIL`S PATH (??, Kyoaku, 2013) is based on true crime cases that expose the secret underbelly of crime in modern Japan. Acclaimed by critics, this shockingly dark and violent drama may well be one of the best films to come out of Japan this year. Not for the fainthearted.

    Based on a legend during World War II, the Japanese military amassed a colossal underground cache of bullion valued at 10 trillion yen, known as the ‘M Fund’ that has never resurfaced. THE HUMAN TRUST (????, Jinrui Shikin, 2013) has an all-star cast including Joe Odagiri (TOKYO TOWER), Mirai Moriyama (ALWAYS), Yoo Ji-Tae (OLD BOY) and Vincent Gallo (BUFFALO 66).

    So Hot Right Now

    For a feel-good romance with an all-star cast including ‘hot right now’ heart-throb Masaki Okada (AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE), BEYOND THE MEMORIES (????, Kiyoku Yawaku, 2013) is the tale of two young people who are drawn together as they struggle to come to grips with their painful pasts, based on award winning girl’s manga of the same name Kiyoku Yawaku by Ryo Ikuemi. Director Masaaki Akahori`s quietly heartbreaking, modern Japanese drama THE SAMURAI THAT NIGHT (?????, Sono Yoru no Samurai, 2012), a story of revenge, delves into the psychology of loneliness, and the need for human connection that lies deep within us all. This titled screened in the First Feature Competition at the 56th London Film Festival 2012.

    Other Highlights

    Based on a popular manga by writer Yasunobu Yamauchi, DAILY LIFE OF HIGH SCHOOL BOYS (????????, Danshi Kokosei no Nichijo, 2013) is an inside peek into the minds of high school boys. With the same director as AFRO TANAKA, Daigo Matsui, this film follows three ordinary teenage boys desperate to understand the biggest mystery in their lives to date: girls! Can they get through without making complete fools of themselves? From female director Minoru Kurimura, ORPHEUS` LYRE (??????????, Sakura, Futatabi no Kanako, 2013) is a disturbing story of a grieving mother who comes to believe that another woman’s baby is her own reincarnated. This film features music by legendary hearing-impaired composer Mamuro Samuragouchi (RESIDENT EVIL soundtrack). For a behind-the-scenes story of a Japanese cinema master Keisuke Kinoshita, DAWN OF A FILMMAKER – THE KEISUKE KINOSHITA STORY (???????, Hajimari no Michi, 2013) is a true insider’s look into understanding the director’s attitudes towards filmmaking as well as commonly used themes within his masterworks.

    Ticket On Sale Dates

    Sydney: Tuesday, 15 October Melbourne: Monday, 21 October

    Japanese Film Festival’s Official Channels!

    Website: japanesefilmfestival.net Facebook: japanesefilmfest Twitter: @japanfilmfest/#jff17

    Major City Festival Dates and Locations

    BRISBANE: 16 – 20 October Events Cinema Brisbane Myer Centre PERTH: 23 – 27 October Hoyts Westfield Carousel & State Library Theatre CANBERRA: 30 October – 3 November Capital Cinema Manuka SYDNEY: 14 – 24 November Event Cinemas George Street MELBOURNE: 28 November – 8 December Hoyts Melbourne Central & ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image


    ABOUT THE JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL

    The Japanese Film Festival started in 1997 with three free film screenings by Festival Director Masafumi Konomi. Last year, the festival celebrated its 16th year with an audience of approximately 25,000 nation-wide, quickly taking its place as one of the largest Japanese Film Festivals outside of Japan. The festival has enjoyed great success, with the opportunity to showcase a vast variety of cinematic delights from classics to newly released films currently screening in Japan. The Japanese Film Festival is presented and run by The Japan Foundation, Sydney.

    ABOUT THE JAPAN FOUNDATION

    The Japan Foundation aims to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through a diverse range of programs and events. The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs a gallery space, library and Japanese language courses for all levels catering from beginner to advanced. The Japan Foundation was established in 1972 with a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries. The Australian office was founded in 1977.


    For more information on the 17th Japanese Film Festival please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan:


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