Our favorite activity to kick-off the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Month is (almost) here – Japanese Film Festival (JFF) | EIGASAI! <3

20th anniversary edition

JFF | EIGASAI 2017 sets a new milestone by offering a selection of 20 award-winning films from varied genres (3 of which are dubbed in Tagalog), with more than 100 screenings across 7 venues in 5 major cities nationwide (Manila, Cebu, Baguio, Bacolod and Iloilo). This runs from July 1 to August 29, 2017.

HER LOVE BOILS BATHWATER 湯を沸かすほどの熱い愛 opens EIGASAI on July 6 at the Shang Cineplex, with its director Ryota Nakano present. Nakano-san is set to hold Director’s Talks focusing on his career and the making of his first successful commercial film.

A nod to the success of the JFF | EIGASAI in the Philippines throughout the years

Head over to the birthplace of festival – the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on July 1 as two rare 16mm films screened at the first JFF in 1997, THE STING OF DEATH 死の棘 and MEMORIES OF YOU ラブ・ストーリーを君に, are back for a one-time screening.

DEPARTURES おくりびと, one of the most well-received films in the history of EIGASAI, is set for special encore screenings in Manila.

EIGASAI x Manga Hokusai Manga Exhibition

The Japan Foundation, Manila is also hosting the international traveling exhibition Manga Hokusai Manga: Approaching the Master’s Compendium from the Perspective of Contemporary Comics at the Ateneo Art Gallery.  Award-winning Japanese animation film IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD この世界の片隅に  is scheduled for screening at CCP on July 1 as part of its activities. This is followed by a special talk by Dr. Jaqueline Berndt.

Allied Festival with CINEMALAYA

The Philippine premier of Japanese independent film POOLSIDEMAN プールサイドマン is staged during the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival this August, to be graced by director Hirobumi Watanabe.

JFF | EIGASAI movie line up

HER LOVE BOILS BATHWATER / 湯を沸かすほどの熱い愛

2016 | Drama, Children / Family, Feature | Rated PG | 125 min

A poignant story of a terminally ill matriach (Futaba, played by Miyazawa Rie) who determinedly sets out to reconcile her family during the last remaining weeks of her life.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, Japan Now; 2016 Busan International Film Festival, A Window on Asian Cinema; 2016 Montreal Work Film Festival, Focus on World Cinema.

THE STING OF DEATH / 死の棘

1990 | Drama, Feature | Rated R13 | 115 min | 16mm

A period drama about a couple trying to salvage their faltering marriage after the husband’s secret love affair.

Film Festivals, Awards: 1990 Cannes Film Festival, FIPRESCI Prize, Grand Prize of the Jury; 1991 Award of the Japanese Academy – Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Lighting, Best Sound nominations.

MEMORIES OF YOU / ラブ・ストーリーを君に

1988 | Drama, Feature | Rated PG | 104 min | 16mm

University student Akira Kamijo encounters Yumi Hirose, the little girl he used to tutor. Diagnosed with leukemia, and with only six months to live Yumi admits how much she wants to survive her illness to be with Akira.

DEPARTURES / おくりびと

2008 | Drama, Feature | Rated R13 | 130 min | 35mm

The film follows a young failed cellist who stumbles across  work as a traditional Japanese ritual mortician. Despite the crushing social prejudice, he eventually earns respect for the dignity of his work.

Film Festivals, Awards: 81st Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film; The World Film Festival Montreal 2008 Grand Prix; Hawaii International Film Festival 2008 Audience Award; Golden Rooster Awards 2008 Audience Award (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor).

TSUKIJI WONDERLAND / 築地ワンダーランド

2016 | Documentary | Rated PG | 110 min

Filmed over 16 months, it closely chronicles this center of Japanese food culture as it prepares to be moved to a different location.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 Seattle International Film Festival, Culinary Cinema; 2016 Montreal World Film Festival; 2016 San Sebastian International Film Festival, Culinary Cinema.

IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD / この世界の片隅に

2016 | Animation | Rated PG | 130 min

Mai Mai Miracle director, Katabuchi Sunao, adapts Kouno Fumiya’s comic to an animated feature films that captures that experiences of a feisty young housewife as she fights for happiness and a normal life in the midst of World War II.

Film Festivals, Awards: 40th Japan Academy film prize, Animation of the Year award; Hiroshima International Film Festival 2016, Peace Film award; Osaka Cinema Festival 2016, Japanese Film Best 10; Anima Brussels Animation Film Festival 2016, in competition; Annecy 2017, Official selection; LA Film Festival 2017, Official selection.

THE ANTHEM OF THE HEART / 心が叫びたがってるんだ

2015 | Animation, Drama, Children/Family | Rated PG | 119 min

An animated film about a young girl who loses her ability to speak because of a traumatic incident in her childhood. However, her outlook on life changes as she discovers the magic of music and friendship.

CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 / ちはやふる 上の句 and CHIHAYAFURU Part.2 / ちはやふる 下の句

2016 | Feature | Rated PG | 111 min (part 1), 103 min (part 2)

A wonderful story about friends brought together by their passion for the traditional Japanese card game of Karuta. Determined to be the best, Chihaya forms a competitive Karuta club with Taichi to prove that the game is more than just about old customs and to hopefully reunite with their estranged friend Arata.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 – Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, World Fantastic Blue, Fantasia International Film Festival.

CREEPY / クリーピー 偽りの隣人

2016 | Drama, Feature, Thriller | Rated R13 | 130 min

Film adaptation of Maekawa Yutaka’s mystery novel detailing the intertwining double enigmas of an unsolved missing family case and an odd, neighboring family.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 – Berlin International Film Festival, Special Gala; Hong Kong International Film Festival, Gala Section; Udine Far East Film Festival, Competition; Seattle International Film Festival, Nippon Connection; Shanghai International Film Festival; New York Asian Film Festival; Fantasia International Film Festival, Cheval Noir Competition; Helsinki International Film Festival.

THE MOHICAN COMES HOME / モヒカン故郷に帰る

2016 | Feature | Rated R13 | 125 min

Eikichi, the vocalist of a little-known death metal bad, has decided to marry his pregnant girlfriend, Yuka. He returns to his family home in Tobi Island after several years. However, his headstrong father, Osamu, collapses and is diagnosed with cancer.

WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY! / 家族はつらいよ

2016 | Comedy, Drama, Feature | Rated PG | 108 min

A heartwarming comedy about an elderly couple who sends their family in panic when they suddenly decided to end their marriage of 50 years.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2015 Tokyo International Film Festival, Japan Now; 2016 Shanghai International Film Festival, Officially Recommended; 2016 Fantasia International Film Festival.

THE MAGNIFICENT NINE / 殿、利息でござる！

2016 | Comedy, Drama, Feature, Historical | Rated PG | 129 min

A comic tale where nine merchants try to use their with and wealth to save their town from poverty and the feudal lord’s harsh taxes without getting caught – or worse – executed.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 – Toronto International Film Festival, Opening Film, Japan Cuts, Camera Japan Festival.

SWEET BEAN (AN) / あん

2015 | Drama, Feature | Rated PG | 113 min

Sweet Bean is about a dorayaki shop owner who meets an elderly woman, Tokue, with her own wonderful recipe for the pancake-like snack filled with red bean paste. Their newfound partnership and booming business, however, is threatened when an unkind rumor drives Tokue away.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2015 Cannes Film Festival, Un Certain Regard; 2015 Cork Film Festival, Audience Award; 2015 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Best Performance; 2015 Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Audience Award; 2015 Valladolid International Film Festival, Best Director; 2015 Valletta Film Festival, Best Film & Best Actress.

THE LONG EXCUSE / 永い言い訳

2016 | Feature | Rated R13 | 124 min

A bestselling author discovers the joys of living for others after his wife dies. After faking the part of a bereaved husband (he was cheating on his wife at the time of the accident), he meets Yoichi and his children who show him the genuine connections he hasn’t experienced before.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, Special Presentations; 2016 Busan International Film Festival, A Window on Asian Cinema; 2016 Rome Film Fest.

POOLSIDEMAN / プールサイドマン

2016 } Comedy, Drama, Feature, Thriller | Rated R13 | 117 min

A thriller about a lonely swimming pool lifeguard who accompanies his colleague to a neighboring town plagued by an epidemic.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, Japanese Cinema Splash.

IF CATS DISAPPEARED FROM THE WORLD / 世界から猫が消えたなら

2016 | Feature | Rated PG | 102 min

The film depicts a postman diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor who strikes a deal with the devil to prolong his life in exchange for making things vanish from the world.

BAKUMAN / バクマン。

2015 | Feature | Rated PG | 120 min

Bakuman portrays the gifted illustrator Moritaka who used to be afraid of working to death much like his manga artist uncle, until he met the aspiring writer Akito. The two of them team up as manga artists to realize their dreams of writing for the biggest name in manga publications.

SADAKO VS. KAYAKO / 貞子vs伽椰子

2016 | Feature | Rated R13 | 99 min

The Ring faes off with The Grudge. After university student Natsumi watches the infamous cursed video tape, she only has two days to live before Sadako kills her. Her only chance of survival is to pit Sadako against Kayako, a vengeful spirit in a haunted house.

Film Festivals, Awards: 2016 MOTELX Lisbon International Horror Film Festival, Room Service; 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, Midnight Madness; 2016 Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, Midnight X-Tream; 2016 San Sebastian Horror & Fantasy Film Festival, Official Section.

ASIAN THREE-FOLD MIRROR 2016: REFLECTIONS / アジア三面鏡2016：リフレクションズ

2016 | Drama | Rated R13 | 118 min

Produced by the Japan Foundation and the Tokyo International Film Festival, Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections is an omnibus film which brings together three acclaimed directors who each created a segment following the theme “Living Together in Asia.”

The Philippines’ Brillante Mendoza directs SHINIUMA Dead Horse, a film about an illegal Filipino immigrant in Japan who is deported back to the Philippines. Upon his return home, he discovers that his family has dispersed long ago and there’s no place for him to stay. Pigeon by Isao Yukisada focuses on an elderly Japanese man who is emotionally distant from his son and chooses to live in solitude on an estate in Malaysia, where he soon forms a bond with his new caretaker. Beyond the Bridge, set against the backdrop of the Cambodian civil war and the history of the Cambodia-Japan Friendship bridge, tells the love story between a Japanese architect and a Cambodian woman whom he ends up leaving behind.

Admission

Tickets for EIGASAI Shang Cineplex screenings (except for July 14) are available for P100 each, seven (7) prior to screening date. There is a NO REFUND, NO EXCHANGE, NO RESALE policy.

Screening at other EIGASAI festival venues (plus July 14 screenings at the Shang Cineplex) are FREE on first come first serve basis. One ticket per person only.

Screening Schedule

Note: screening schedule as of June 8, 2017; arranged by show dates; subject to change without prior notice.

CCP Dream Theater, CCP Complex

Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, Shangri-La Plaza

Ayala Center Cebu Cinema

CCP Little Theater, CCP Complex

SM City Baguio Cinema

UP Film Institute, UP Diliman

SM City Bacolod Cinema

FDCP Cinematheque Iloilo

Follow the official JFF | EIGASAI Facebook page for updates.