MANILA – With this year’s theme of the family, The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) is presenting 16 contemporary Japanese films in the 2014 Eiga Sai, to be held in Manila, Davao, and Cebu.
“The Philippines and Japan have a lot of things in common. In the recent past, the two countries have experienced devastating disasters – loss of countless lives and resources. In times of difficulties, we all come to realize the value the family, not only the immediate members but also extended families – neighbors and communities. The value of the family is an example of commonalities for both Japan and the Philippines so with the fact that both countries are disaster-prone,” JFM said.
The opening film “Homeland” (original title: Ieji) involves a broken family seeking for light and hope in the midst of injustice and desperation. Shot in Fukushima, one of the provinces severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the film was an official selection of the Panorama section in the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.
“Reunion” (Itai Asu e no tokakan) tells the story of a man engaged in the funeral business who volunteered his services at the temporary morgue in a high school gymnasium after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
“Until the Break of Dawn” (Tsunagu) is a heartwarming fantasy adapted from the eponymous novel by Naoki Prize-winning author Tsujimura Mizuki. A young man becomes an apprentice “Tsunagu,” an emissary who can reunite the living with the dead for one time only, and grows through learning about the bonds between people.
Animation film “Wolf Children” (Ookamikodomo no Ame to Yuki) is a feature animation directed by Hosoda Mamoru, whose “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” and “Summer Wars” won numerous awards in Japan and abroad. It follows thirteen years in the lives of a mother and her “wolf children.”
All films will be shown with English subtitles. Screening venues are at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2 (July 3 to 13), Abreeza Mall Cinema, Ayala (July 25 to 27) and FDCP Cinematheque, Davao City (July 29 to August 3) and Ayala Center Cinema 4, Cebu City (August 6 to 10).
2014 Eiga Sai screening schedule
For inquiries, contact the Japan Foundation, Manila via its website or call the JFM at telephone numbers (+632) 811-6155 to 58.
The 2014 “Eiga Sai” is presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, Shangri-la Plaza and Film Development Council of the Philippines, and supported by WAO Corporation, Akira, SumoSam, Shu Uemura, ClickTheCity.com and Net25 TV and Radyo Aguila. The Eiga Sai is part of the “ Philippines-Japan Friendship Month” celebration.
