Eiga Sai – the annual Japanese film festival in the Philippines – has been postponed due to COVID-19, but the Japan Foundation is holding the Japan Film Week online starting Wednesday.
A spin-off of Eiga Sai, the Japan Film Week will screen six films through the online video platform Vimeo from July 22 to 26, 2020:
- July 22 – “Hana’s Miso Soup”
- July 23 – “What’s for Dinner, Mom?”
- July 24 – “Bittersweet”
- July 25 – “Chieri and Cherry”
- July 25 – “The Takatsu River”
According to Japan Foundation, this online film screening is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to limited slot availability. The films may be accessed through , after registering a free Vimeo account using the provided access code. Free access link will be made available on the day of the screening. Screenings are subject to change without prior notice.
Done in partnership with with Solar Pictures, Inc., Sinag Maynila, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Japan Film Week aims to provide varied content to Filipino audiences nationwide who wish to expand their knowledge on Japanese arts, culture, and language.
See more details and trailers of the featured films in Japan Fim Week:
“Bittersweet”
“Bittersweet” (“Nigakute amai”) is the live-action adaptation of Kobayashi Yumio’s romance about a straight woman who doesn’t like vegetables falling in love with a gay vegetarian. The vegetable dishes meticulously presented in every volume which are incorporated into the visuals.
“The Takatsu River”
“The Takatsu River” (“Takatsugawa”) is a film drama that portrays various people living along the river basin of Shimane Prefeture’s Takatsu River, a government-protected river, burdened by decreasing population as they carry on the tradition of “Kagura” Shinto music and dance which is said to be the roots of Kabuki.
“Chieri and Cherry”
“Chieri and Cherry” is an animation film that deals with the emotional growth of a young girl who confronts the importance of life and sets out toward a new future.
“From All Corners”
“From All Corners” (“Tabisuru danboru”) is a feature-length documentary about “cardboard artist” Shimazu Fuyuki who creates wallets from cardboard boxes discarded on the street. From there he designs and adds functionality to the cardboard wallets he creates.
“Hana’s Miso Soup”
“Hana’s Miso Soup” (“Hanachan no misoshiru”) is a film adaptation of the identically titled essay recording of Yasutake Chie’s fight with cancer as well as the daily life of her husband and daughter.
“What’s for Dinner, Mom?”
“What’s for Dinner, Mom?” (“Mama gohan mada?”) is a feature drama film based on Hitoto Tae’s essay about sisters born to a Taiwanese father and Japanese mother who reaffirm their familial bonds through the recipes left behind by their deceased mother.
All films except “From All Corners” and “Hana’s Miso Soup” are available for limited screenings only, from 9 a.m. of date of release until the film has reached maximum number of viewings or until 12 a.m. of July 27, whichever comes first.
Read more info about the Japan Film Week on its Facebook event page.
Hat tip to Ibarra C. Mateo Reports.