Japanese Film Festival 2017 – Preview

The Japanese Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday in the Lighthouse Cinema with a screening of After the Storm and a whole lot of sushi! The Festival will screen 21 films, almost all of which are Irish premieres at a variety of locations around Ireland.

Here are some tips on what not to miss, but really, it’s about getting out there and taking some chances! Go explore…

A Silent Voice – An anime that is getting lots of love from the critics.

“Shoya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shoko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the class starts to turn on Shoya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shoko and Shoya do not speak to each other again… until an older, wiser Shoya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shoko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late…?”

Harmonium (2016) – More love from the critics for this one.

“Toshio hires Yasaka in his workshop. This old acquaintance, who has just been released from prison, begins to meddle in Toshio’s family life.”

Nagasaki: Memories of My Son –

“a very personal film from iconic director Yoji Yamada, which was also Japan’s official submission to this year’s Oscars.”

Happy Hour (2015) –

“Happy Hour, a masterful and intimate ensemble piece, which explores the experiences of a group of thirty-something women in the city of Kobe, Japan. It deservedly won acting and screenwriting awards at the Locarno Film Festival.”

Screenings in the Lighthouse Cinema –

JFF: Tsukiji Wonderland – (From 6th April 2017)
JFF: Destruction Babies – (From 7th April 2017)
JFF: Harmonium – (From 7th April 2017)
JFF: Fires on the Plain – (From 7th April 2017)
JFF: Japanese Girls Never Die – (From 8th April 2017)
JFF: The Long Excuse – (From 8th April 2017)
JFF: Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale – (From 8th April 2017)
JFF: Kizumonogatari: Parts 1 and 2 – (From 8th April 2017)
JFF: Kizumonogatari 3: Reiketsu – (From 8th April 2017)
JFF: Poolsideman – (From 8th April 2017)
JFF: Her Love Boils Bathwater – (From 9th April 2017)
JFF: A Bride for Rip van Winkle – (From 9th April 2017)
JFF: Happy Hour – (From 9th April 2017)
Japan Foundation: Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days – (From 10th April 2017)
Japan Foundation: Being Good – (From 11th April 2017)
Japan Foundation: Sketches of Kaitan City – (From 12th April 2017)
Japan Foundation: All Around Us – (From 13th April 2017)