Films have intangible impacts on our society. A certain film may call for action, move people in ways that may be unexpected, inspire individually and even collectively, and at times, leaves a legacy. People watch films to be entertained, to be educated, to escape from the humdrums of daily life, and to travel beyond space and time. This is at the heart of the Japanese Film Festival – to share glimpses of Japanese culture to the world, one cinematic experience at a time.
Coming from the successes of the Japanese Film Festival Online in 2020, the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) is bringing back our beloved film festival right at the comfort of our homes through another virtual edition this year, happening from February 14 to 27, 2022.
“The Japanese Film Festival Online 2022 gives viewers the chance to experience and learn Japanese ways and culture, as the featured films mirror our contemporary society and document people’s lives at certain periods in time. Films are indeed powerful vehicles for cultural exchange and bilateral relations” shares JFM Director SUZUKI Ben.
Take a look at these 20 impressive titles, from bittersweet coming-of-age stories to thriller, sci-fi, comedy, documentaries, animation, and heartbreaking ones, these films promise to leave viewers something memorable.
- It’s a Summer Film! – A girl passionate about samurai films convinces a boy full of mystery to make a film together that transcends time and space. This coming-of-age masterpiece incorporates elements of science fiction while providing a fresh look at young people who are serious about filmmaking.
- Under the Open Sky -This award-winning film tells the story of a former yakuza’s struggles to be accepted by society, even as he tries to live an earnest life. Naoki Prize-winning author Saki Ryuzo’s ‘Mibuncho’ serves as the basis for this drama.
- Mio’s Cookbook – Set in Japan about 200 years ago, this entertaining period drama refreshingly portrays the bond between Miho, who stakes her life on cooking, and Noe, who has become a courtesan (high-class geisha) in Yoshiwara, Japan’s largest red-light district.
- Masked Ward – A tense mystery film set in the eerie confines of a hospital, where a chilling psychological battle unfolds and eventually leads into a chain of surprising twists. The film is an adaptation of a bestselling book written by a real-life doctor, and features two of Japan’s leading young actors, Kentaro Sakaguchi and Mei Nagano.
- AWAKE – The year 2015 marked the first time that a shogi game software played against a professional human player. Inspired by a true story, this moving coming-of-age film is about a game between an AI and a human also about a fateful battle between two rivals, as well as the hard work that each of them had gone through to get there.
- Aristocrats – This is an award-winning drama that questions the state of contemporary life through the perspectives of two female protagonists of different backgrounds.
- Ito – A fresh and moving tale about a young woman growing out of her shell as well as the preciousness of familial bonds. The contemporary and specific “maid café” culture from Tokyo is juxtaposed with the traditional shamisen music of Aomori giving insight into the uniqueness and breadth of Japanese culture.
- Time of EVE the Movie – A moving animation consisting of a string of episodes told by the customers about their sorrows of being discriminated against. The social settings of the film and issues surrounding old robots getting dumped as garbage provide realistic details to the world depicted. Originally a six episode online sci-fi animation, now re-edited and brought to the big screen with all-new additional scenes.
- Patema Inverted – This award-winning film is a truly unique sci-fi fantasy that almost numbs our own senses of up and down. A touching animation that creatively depicts the beauty of love, friendship, and courage.
- SUMODO-The Successors – A documentary with rare access into sumo, Japan’s national sport and the behind-the-scenes lives of famous sumo wrestlers.
- The God of Ramen – A moving documentary about the man who started a legendary ramen shop in Tokyo. This uniquely moving film is a record of a man’s uncompromising attitude expressed to its fullest.
- RASHOMON – In this film that has garnered several awards, a group of murder witnesses all give completely different testimonies. One of the most celebrated films in Japanese history that questions whether there is such a thing as truth in this world.
- OZLAND – With a humorous and light-hearted touch, the film conveys the joy of working at an amusement park—a place of dreams—and draws the audience into the happiness experienced by the protagonist.
- ReLIFE – This refreshing and touching love story suggests that perhaps living out one’s youth to the fullest can affect the direction that one’s life can take. This one’s a live-action feature film adaptation of “ReLIFE,” which was serialized on the manga app comico and adapted for anime and stage performance.
- Her Love Boils Bathwater – A tear-inducing humanistic drama, that has won several awards, about the bonds between a strong-willed and deeply loving mother and her family.
- The Floating Castle – A riveting historical spectacle about those who stand up for their dignity as samurai, armed with their wisdom, courage, and love for their people. Shot on a massive set, it presents an epic portrayal of Sengoku (Warring States) Period warlord Narita Nagachika, who fought back against a 20,000-strong enemy force with an army of 500 in the late 16th century.
- Until the Break of Dawn – A heartwarming fantasy adapted from the eponymous novel by Naoki Prize-winning author Tsujimura Mizuki, this spiritual and humanistic drama that depicts the inner conflicts of those who, for various reasons, seek contact with the dead.
- Bread of Happiness – This humanistic drama brims with kindness and is set in the backdrop of the beautiful and harsh four seasons of Hokkaido. The film is adorned with a variety of breads and dishes made with seasonal ingredients that heal the hearts of the wounded souls.
- The Chef of South Polar – A classic Japanese comedy film with a mix of pathos and humor follows the bittersweet and charmed daily lives of a group of men living in the Antarctic, where their only joy is to eat.
- Happy Flight – This is an ensemble film depicting on-the-ground staff, cabin attendants and pilots in action. Through episodes related to the work involved in operating large commercial passenger flights, the film spins an entertaining tale that shows the growth of new staff members with both humor and suspense.
In addition to online film screenings, the Japan Foundation, Manila prepared “Let’s Talk about Japanese Films!” a 2-part free online talk event and will be available to interested participants even outside the Philippines. The first session, entitled Your Guide to Japanese Films, will be moderated by Mr. Tito Valiente, and will be joined by panelists Prof. Daisuke Miyao, Prof. Nick Deocampo, and film director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo. The second event entitled Inside the World of JFF 2022 Films will feature five young film critics namely Mr. Skilty Labastilla, Ms. Princess Kinoc, Mr. Janus Nolasco, and Ms. Stepanie Mayo; to be moderated by Mr. Richard Bolisay.
Join in the discussion with prominent and young up-and-coming film professionals as they casually talk about the influences of Japanese cinema in the Philippines and the world and tips to watch Japanese films. Additionally, there will be online campaigns throughout the festival where viewers will get the chance to win exclusive JFF freebies!
To watch and view the full list of featured films, please visit https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/jffonline2022/philippines/. Viewers can watch the films through their smart TV, computer, mobile phone or similar gadgets with access to the Internet. Follow the official JFM and JFF Philippines Facebook pages and social media accounts for more information.
