Japanese Film Festival 2018 Program Booklet - Sydney Melbourne by The Japan Foundation, Sydney

Pro gram Sydney 15–25 Nov Melbourne 22 Nov–02 Dec

About Welcome to the 22nd Japanese Film Festival (JFF) in Australia! The world of cinema is more dynamic than ever. A greater demand for interesting stories, an abundance of filmmaking talent, and the push for diverse content and representation on the big screen is transforming cinema culture. Every year, the JFF team showcases the best of Japanese cinema, combining international film festival favourites, huge Japanese box office hits and littleknown indie gems. This year, we’re also celebrating our most diverse program yet, with casts and characters from all walks of life. When you join us in the cinema this year, you might see a half-Japanese man piecing together his cultural identity, a Korean-Japanese family weathering life’s challenges in postwar Japan, or an actress-turned-housewife who finds her second chance in the spotlight, thanks to a zombie film. No matter which films you pick, you’re sure to meet interesting characters at JFF 2018!

Partners Presented by

Premium Partners

Major Partners

Cultural Partners

Government Partners

Japanese Film Festival Programmers Ayusa Koshi, Jessica Chow, Alison Groves and Margarett Cortez Assisted by

Embassy of Japan in Australia Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne Consulate-General of Japan in Perth Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney

Venue Partners

Susan Bui, Aurora Newton and Ellen Reiter

JFF is part of the Japanese Film Festival Asia Pacific Gateway.

Media Partners

FBi RADIO

@japanesefilmfest @japanfilmfest #jffau2018 japanesefilmfestival.net Local Partners Design kevinvo.com.au

A-Z Guide to JFF 2018 Films Call Boy

Chihayafuru Musubi

娼年 Undressing female desire through the eyes of a callboy. Starring Tori Matsuzaka (The Blood of Wolves) and directed by Daisuke Miura (Love’s Whirlpool).

ちはやふる結び Chihaya and her friends are determined to win the National Karuta Championships, but they also have to live their youth like every other high schooler.

Color Me True

今夜、ロマンス劇場で From the director of Thermae Romae comes a charming love story set in the magical world of 60s filmmaking. Starring Haruka Ayase and Kentaro Sakaguchi.

DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura

DESTINY 鎌倉ものがたり

Akiko’s bizarre newly-wed life begins in a Kamakura she never knew existed—a vibrant town where humans live alongside friendly ghosts, goblins and other magical creatures.

Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter

名探偵コナンから紅の恋歌 Whiz kid detective, Conan, races against time to solve crimes at a karuta card tournament in this explosive adventure anime.

素敵なダイナマイトスキャンダル Dynamite Graffiti follows legendary erotic magazine editor Akira Suei through his beginnings as a graphic design student to his struggles against censorship in 70s and 80s Japan.

Dynamite Graffiti

友罪 A slow burn thriller told through the lens of a juvenile murder case, this powerful human drama paints a portrait of society and its implicit biases against granting atonement.

My Friend ‘A’

Goodbye, Grandpa!

Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

Oh Lucy!

One Cut of the Dead

Rainbow Days

Ramen Shop

おじいちゃん、死んじゃったって。 A dysfunctional family is forced to reunite in this introspective feel-good drama by emerging filmmaker Yukihiro Morigaki.

Killing

斬、 “If you can’t kill, your sword is meaningless.” A cult classic in the making, Killing is a raw and visceral film which portrays samurai like they have never appeared in cinema before.

Love At Least

生きてるだけで、愛 Kosai Sekine’s stylish and modern love story is far from melodramatic. Told from its manic-depressive protagonist’s point of view, it captures the nuances of love— for oneself and for others.

MIXED DOUBLES

ミックス。 They say that sports is a good distraction for the brokenhearted but if you’re a table tennis prodigy—it’s the best form of revenge! Starring Yui Aragaki, Eita, and Ryoko Hirosue.

夜は短し歩けよ乙女 An epic night out filled with chance encounters and strange romance, from the visionary animation director Masaaki Yuasa.

オー・ルーシー! Brilliantly simple and bracingly funny—a dark comedy about culture clash and self-discovery. With special guest Q&A session in Sydney with actress Shioli Kutsuna.

カメラを止めるな！ Forget serious, world-ending zombie films and trust us, this genre-defying comedy is the most fun you’ll have at the cinemas.

虹色デイズ Discover the charms of Japanese high school life in this perfect mix of daydreams, reality and coming of age drama.

ラーメン・テー Directed by Eric Khoo, travel with ramen chef Masato from Japan to Singapore as he pieces together his memories— and family—through food.

River’s Edge

リバーズ・エッジ Set in 90s Japan, Isao Yukisada’s new film is a turbulent coming-of-age drama laced with violence, sex, and death. Features a special guest Q&A session in Sydney with the director.

SUKITA / The Shoot Must Go On

四月の永い夢 Summer in Tokyo is always the same—the days are sunny and the evenings balmy. But this summer will be different for Hatsumi. A delicate film that captures the charms and minutiae of daily life.

Tampopo

タンポポ The universally loved ramen western returns to the big screen in digitally remastered 4k. A must see film for foodies and classic cinema fans alike.

The 8-Year Engagement

The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine

The Crimes That Bind

菊とギロチン Navigate the tumultuous 1920s with the help of female sumo athletes, womanising anarchists, and vengeful vigilantes.

SUKITA 刻まれたアーティストたちの一瞬 Masayoshi Sukita—the one person David Bowie welcomed into his life with a camera. Get to know the photographer behind some of the most iconic images in music and film.

Summer Blooms

The Blood of Wolves

孤狼の血 This gritty cop thriller is set in 1980s Hiroshima at the brink of a bloody turf war between three yakuza families. Starring a powerhouse cast led by Koji Yakusho and Tori Matsuzaka.

8年越しの花嫁奇跡の実話 A refreshingly honest love story that is equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Based on the true story of Mai and Hisashi Nakahara.

祈りの幕が下りる時 Hiroshi Abe and Nanako Matsushima star in an adaptation of mystery writer Keigo Higashino’s novel of the same title.

The Scythian Lamb

羊の木 In this excellent offbeat thrillerdrama, six convicted murders relocate to a coastal town as part of a clandestine rehabilitation program. But secrets are hard to keep in a small town...

The Third Murder

三度目の殺人 Hirokazu Kore-eda’s first foray into the crime genre is a subtle yet powerfully moving story about a lawyer struggling to find the truth while questioning his own faith in the law.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Thicker than Water

We Make Antiques!

Wilderness

Yakiniku Dragon

旅猫リポート A touching story about the bonds between a cat and his human. Based on the international best-selling novel by Hiro Arikawa.

犬猿 Sibling rivalry reaches all-out war in this unique film from Keisuke Yoshida (Himeanole). Bittersweet drama is mixed with black comedy, sprinkled with oh-no-you-didn’t moments.

嘘八百 An honest antique dealer and jaded ceramicist join forces to pull off the greatest swindle in the world of Japanese antiques.

あゝ荒野 Based on Shuji Terayama’s dystopian novel, two men find solace and brotherhood through boxing, leading them on a journey that will examine society, identity, and masculinity.

焼肉ドラゴン From their ramshackle yakiniku restaurant, a Korean family endures the hardships of their migrant experience in 1970s Japan.

Opening Film

One Cut of the Dead

カメラを止めるな！

Director: Shinichiro Ueda 2017 96mins Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

A zombie film gone wrong— in all the right ways It all starts in an abandoned warehouse where a film crew are shooting a low budget zombie film. Before recording a decent scene, real zombies descend on the set and wreak bloody chaos! This may sound like a clichéd genre film, but One Cut of the Dead is something completely different. Kicking off with a one-take 37-minute opening shot, this cleverly-disguised zombie flick turns into a sometimes charming, surprisingly touching, always side-splittingly hilarious comedy! Rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. 20 th Udine Far East Film Festival Official Selection 22nd Fantasia International Film Festival - Special Jury Award

COMEDY

Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter

Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

名探偵コナンから紅の恋歌

夜は短し歩けよ乙女

Director: Kobun Shizuno 2017 112mins

Director: Masaaki Yuasa 2017 93mins

Suitable for ages 12+

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Whiz kid detective, Conan, races against time to solve crimes at a karuta card tournament in this explosive adventure anime

An epic night out filled with chance encounters and strange romance

An explosion brings down a broadcasting station during the filming of the Satsuki Cup, a tournament featuring the competitive traditional card game karuta. Caught in the bombing, young detective Conan helps childhood sweethearts Heiji and Kazuha make a narrow escape. Meanwhile, the reigning Satsuki Cup champion has been found murdered in his Kyoto residence. As if there wasn’t enough happening, karuta player Momiji appears unannounced and declares that Heiji is her fiancé?!

Down the rabbit hole for a night on the town, our heroine known only as ‘The Black-Haired Girl’ meets new friends who show her an unexpected side of Kyoto’s nightlife. As their evening moves from tipsy to boozy they slide into a trippy world of drunk philosophers, lecherous book collectors and guerilla theatremakers. Meanwhile, fellow student ‘Senpai’ (Gen Hoshino), is desperately searching for The Black-Haired Girl. The night deepens and the challenges keep coming, will each hurdle crossed bring them closer to each other? 2018 Japan Academy Awards - Best Animation

ANIME

MIXED DOUBLES

We Make Antiques!

ミックス。

嘘八百

Director: Junichi Ishikawa 2017 119mins

Director: Masaharu Take 2018 105mins

Suitable for ages 12+

There are no losers in the game of life

An antique dealer and a ceramicist walk into a sushi bar...

After a childhood spent rigorously training for table tennis, Tamako is set free to live a normal life. She graduates from school, joins the workforce and finds “marriagematerial boyfriend”, Eijima, the hottest table tennis player in Japan. Eijima doesn’t know of her past as a star athlete and only sees her as a dutiful girlfriend. But romance is a game that Tamako hasn’t mastered and Eijima ends up cheating on her. So what’s an ex-table tennis prodigy to do? Easy! Assemble her own team of ace players and destroy Eijima at the national championships.

Antique dealer Norio has seen the worst, from badly-made fakes to cleverly fabricated provenance. Some may call him an opportunist, but he’s just a man trying to make an honest living in the shady world of antiques. When he meets a talented ceramicist named Sasuke, it occurs to him that combining their skills can lead to greater things. Maybe, just maybe, they can pull off the greatest swindle in the world of Japanese antiques. 37th Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase

COMEDY

My Friend ‘A’

The Blood of Wolves

友罪

孤狼の血

Director: Takahisa Zeze 2018 129mins

Director: Kazuya Shiraishi 2018 126mins

Strictly 18+ (Contains strong themes; moderate language and violence, including sexual violence)

Strictly 18+ (Contains graphic violence and strong themes, nudity and sexual content)

Underneath this slow burn thriller is a powerful story of regret and redemption

A stylish cop thriller set in 1980s Hiroshima at the brink of a yakuza turf war

Journalist Masuda (Toma Ikuta) quits when a scandalous exposé he wrote causes a fatality. Escaping his unwanted past, he starts anew in a small, nondescript town and befriends the quiet Suzuki (Eita) who reminds him of his childhood best friend. However, Masuda’s intuition tells him that Suzuki is hiding a darker past. When a juvenile murder case springs up nearby, Masuda’s journalistic instinct kicks in. He starts investigating and finds that all clues lead to his new friend, Suzuki.

Detective Ogami (Koji Yakusho) is an old school cop notorious for cutting deals with yakuza to solve cases. His partner, rookie cop Hioka (Tori Matsuzaka), has his reservations—an elite grad from the Police Academy, he’s a straight arrow who would rather arrest gangsters than befriend them. As Hioka gets dragged from one yakuza lair to another, he realises that Ogami is deftly navigating a complex ecosystem that could explode into a full-blown turf war at any time. 65th Sydney Film Festival Official Selection 17th New York Asian Film Festival Official Selection

CRIME & SUSPENSE

The Crimes That Bind

The Scythian Lamb

祈りの幕が下りる時

羊の木

Director: Katsuo Fukuzawa 2018 119mins

Director: Daihachi Yoshida 2018 126mins

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Just how strongly can a single thread bind people’s fates together?

One sleepy village. Six convicted murderers.

A woman from Shiga prefecture, near Kyoto, is found strangled to death in a Tokyo apartment belonging to a labourer named Mutsuo Koshikawa. However, police hit a brick wall when they fail to find any links between the victim and presumed suspect. Enter Kyoichiro Kaga, an unconventional detective called on to solve the mysterious case. His investigation leads him to Hiromi Asai, a celebrity theatre director whose glamourous world seems far removed from the case.

Uobuka is a coastal town just like countless other rural fishing villages: the people are nice, the seafood is great, and the population is shrinking. To tackle the population decline, the local government hosts six convicts in a confidential trial for a new parole program. Civil servant Tsukisue (Ryo Nishikido) is tasked with resettling the newcomers and ensuring their histories are kept secret. However, it doesn’t take long for other residents to realise something isn’t quite right, and suspicions begin to arise when a body is found. 22nd Busan International Film Festival Kim Jiseok Award Winner

CRIME & SUSPENSE

The Third Murder

SUKITA / The Shoot Must Go On

三度目の殺人

SUKITA 刻まれたアーティストたちの一瞬

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda 2017 124mins

Director: Hiro Aihara 2018 115mins

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Suitable for all ages

Can a criminal lawyer find a singular truth within different people’s truths?

The one person David Bowie welcomed into his life with a camera

The Third Murder is Cannes awardwinning filmmaker Kore-eda’s first foray into the crime genre. This subtle yet powerfully moving psychological thriller follows Shigemori (Masaharu Fukuyama), a lawyer struggling to find the truth in a deceptively straightforward murder-robbery case involving factory worker Misumi (Koji Yakusho). Misumi freely admits his guilt but as Shigemori deepens his investigation, he begins to doubt whether Misumi is as guilty as he claims.

Masayoshi Sukita has photographed some of the most iconic personalities in music and film, including those of David Bowie, Janis Joplin, and Iggy Pop. His relationship with Bowie, in particular, led to over 40 years of collaboration with the legendary musician. But who is Sukita and how did he manage to capture images that have come to define pop culture throughout the decades? Get to know the man behind the lens as he travels from England to his hometown of Fukuoka, and through interviews with his fans and collaborators, including Jim Jarmusch, Miyavi, and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

74th Venice International Film Festival - Main Competition

CRIME & SUSPENSE

DOCUMENTARY

Goodbye, Grandpa!

おじいちゃん、死んじゃったって。

Director: Yukihiro Morigaki 2017 104mins Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

A dysfunctional family is forced to reunite in this introspective feel-good drama

Summer Blooms

四月の永い夢

Director: Ryutaro Nakagawa 2017 93mins Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

A slice-of-life film that captures those delicate moments before lifechanging decisions are made

Yoshiko Haruno is interrupted while lovemaking by a phone call announcing her grandfather’s death. The Haruno family are quick to reunite and start preparing for the funeral before anyone has the chance to shed a tear, but Yoshiko is disturbed by their indifference, as if they’ve been expecting Grandpa to pass away; as well as the fact that she was busy enjoying life while Grandpa drew his last breath. But death is, after all, inevitable. And amidst the circus of her family’s squabbling, she realises that grief eventually comes-it just takes time.

Summer in Tokyo is always the same—the days are sunny and the evenings balmy. But this summer will be different for former school teacher Hatsumi. The quaint soba shop she works at is closing down and an old student, the kooky and energetic Kaede, suddenly shows up in her life. This unexpected meeting leads to a change for Hatsumi. Director Nakagawa elegantly captures the minutiae of daily life in this gentle slice-of-life drama.

DRAMA

39 th Moscow International Film Festival - Winner, FIPRESCI Award

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

旅猫リポート

Director: Koichiro Miki 2018 118mins Suitable for ages 12+ (Contains mild themes of death)

A touching story about the bonds between a cat and his human Aloof and often cynical, Nana used to live the rough life of a stray cat. After an almost fatal accident, he is rescued by a kind-hearted young man, Satoru. Nana starts living with his new cat servant, but the good times don’t last and Satoru must find a new home for him. Their search takes them around Japan, reconnecting with Satoru’s old friends and learning about his past along the way. Adapted from Hiro Arikawa’s international bestselling novel.

Love At Least

生きてるだけで、愛。 Director: Kosai Sekine 2018 109mins Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Special Guest Session Melbourne 24 Nov Film screening followed by Q&A with guest

The weight of the world and the buoyancy of hope We all have days when just getting out of bed is difficult. But for Yasuko (breakout performance from Shuri), every day is a challenge. Due to her mental illness and hypersomnia, simple things like household chores and holding a job seem impossible. Added to the mix is an indifferent, almost distant boyfriend and an ex-girlfriend with plans to win him back. Far from a melodramatic romance, Kosai Sekine’s stylish debut feature captures the nuances of love, for oneself and for others. 26th Raindance Film Festival Nominated for Best International Film

Kosai Sekine 関根光才 (Director) Director Kosai Sekine brings a dark, sophisticated humour to all his projects, from his short film Right Place (2005), to his debut feature film Love at Least (2018). Best-known for Cannes Lions award-winning commercial campaigns, his signature style merges cinéma vérité portraits of Japan with a borderless viewpoint.

DRAMA

Thicker than Water

Wilderness

犬猿

あゝ荒野

Director: Keisuke Yoshida 2018 103mins

Director: Yoshiyuki Kishi 2017 324mins (includes 20-minute intermission)

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult (Contains moderate-strong themes and moderate violence)

Strictly 18+ (Contains moderate violence; strong themes, nudity and sexual content)

Sibling rivalry turns to all-out war in this darkly humorous family drama with a twist Diligent salesman Kazunari struggles to reel in his delinquent older brother Takuji, not long returned from prison. Meanwhile, Yuria (comedian Keiko Enoue) is the model of a respectable sister - running the family business and caring for her grandfather, but frustrated by her singledom. Her younger sister Mako, an ‘aspiring actress’, uses her beauty and ditziness to get what she wants, much to Yuria’s eternal frustration. When clean-cut Kazunari steps into the office for the first time, Yuria is quickly bespotted— but his attentions are drawn elsewhere...

Special pricing ($25) applies

“Life is boring if you don’t fight your destiny” It’s 2021 and Japan is plagued with youth unemployment, skyrocketing suicide numbers and a rotten social welfare system. Tokyo is breaking down and Shinji, a hotheaded delinquent, and Kenji, a stuttering barber, are in the thick of it all. Struggling to find their place in society, they find solace and brotherhood in the boxing ring despite their contrasting personalities. Based on Shuji Terayama’s dystopian novel, director Kishi pieces together a fascinating existentialist journey that probes into society, identity, and masculinity. 2018 Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor, 2018 Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actor

DRAMA

DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura

Ramen Shop

DESTINY 鎌倉ものがたり

ラーメン・テー

Director: Takashi Yamazaki 2017 129mins

Director: Eric Khoo 2018 90mins

Suitable for ages 12+

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Akiko’s bizarre newly-wed life begins in magical Kamakura

From Japan to Singapore, connecting memories—and family—through food

Set in an alternate universe, the ancient capital of Kamakura is a vibrant town where fantastical creatures live alongside humans. Akiko is a cheerful publishing assistant who moves to Kamakura after marrying mystery writer Masakazu. She’s surprised by the unusual town but enjoys the new curiosities surrounding her. However, a trifling incident sweeps her spirit out of her body and into the underworld!

Masato, a ramen chef from Takasaki, was born to a Japanese father and a Singaporean mother. Prompted by his emotionally-distant father’s death, he embarks on a culinary journey to Singapore to piece together his family’s story. Armed with vague childhood memories and his late mother’s diary, can he uncover more than just delicious recipes? In Japanese, English, Mandarin, Cantonese with English subtitles.

Fantasia Film Festival 2018 Official Selection Hawaii International Film Festival 2018 Official Selection

Lucky Door Giveaway Get the chance to win an IPPUDO gift voucher at the Sydney and Melbourne screenings! 68th Berlin International Film Festival - Official Selection

FANTASY

FOODIE

Tampopo

Call Boy

タンポポ

娼年

Director: Juzo Itami 1985 115mins

Director: Daisuke Miura 2017 119mins

Strictly 18+ (Contains high impact sex scenes and nudity; no full frontal nudity)

The universally loved ramen western returns to the big screen in digitally remastered 4k An enigmatic ramen connoisseur helps a ramen-making widow, Tampopo, on her quest for the perfect recipe. But this film isn’t just about making and eating a bowl of noodles, it’s about everything—culture, politics, social order, and family and belonging. Tampopo serves up a savoury broth of culinary adventure seasoned with offbeat comedy and sensuous romance. It’s sweet, sexy, surreal, and mouthwatering; it’s about living life to the fullest. Lucky Door Giveaway Get the chance to win a Sakeshop gift voucher when you watch Tampopo.

FOODIE

Undressing female desire through the eyes of a callboy Ryo Morinaka spends his days drifting through life—skipping university classes, bartending part-time, and occasionally sleeping with customers. His mundane life takes an unexpected turn when Shizuka, a mysterious customer, asks him to join her high class escort service. While the premise sounds dark, director Miura handles it so skilfully that it never crosses the line into melodrama. This poignant, humorous, and sometimes cheeky drama uses eroticism to challenge social perceptions and mock convention. 19 th Jeonju International Film Festival © Ira Ishida/SHUEISHA Inc. © 2017 “Call Boy” Production Committee

EROTICA

Dynamite Graffiti

Killing

素敵なダイナマイトスキャンダル

斬、

Director: Masanori Tominaga 2018 138mins

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto 2018 80mins

Strictly 18+

Strictly 18+ (Contains gore, strong themes, and violence, including sexual violence)

It’s not all peachy for a pornographer People say that childhood experiences have an impact on the choices you make in life, and when your mother is caught having an affair, then kills herself and her lover with dynamite, it can be safely assumed that it will leave a lasting impression that will trickle into all aspects of your life. Dynamite Graffiti is a biopic about the legendary erotic magazine editor Akira Suei. It follows Suei through his humble beginnings as a graphic design student, to his constant struggles against censorship in 70’s and 80’s Japan. 17th New York Asian Film Festival Opening Film

PERIOD DRAMA

“The first kill is the hardest. If you can’t kill, your sword is meaningless.” Young Tsuzuki is a skilled swordsman but a hesitant samurai. Born during the downfall of the samurai class, he’s never had the chance to prove himself in battle. One day, a wandering ronin named Sawamura visits the village and invites Tsuzuki to fight with him in Edo, where a civil war is brewing. Tsuzuki grabs the opportunity but he comes to realise that he would have to wield his sword before their journey even begins. A classic in the making by cult director Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo The Iron Man). 75th Venice International Film Festival - Main Competition

The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine

菊とギロチン

Director: Takahisa Zeze 2018 189mins Strictly 18+ (Contains moderate themes and violence; mild nudity, sexual content and language)

Navigate the tumultuous 1920s with the help of female sumo athletes, womanising anarchists, and vengeful vigilantes Take a journey into an oft-ignored period in Japanese history: the chaotic years following the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine paints a portrait of a restless, divided society, told through the lens of two female sumo athletes, Kiku and Tokachi, and an anarchist group called the Guillotine Society. Witty and entertaining, director Zeze masterfully leads an ensemble cast and delivers an uncompromising look at life, infused with a good dose of humour and plenty of charm.

PERIOD DRAMA

Yakiniku Dragon

焼肉ドラゴン

Director: Wishing Chong 2018 126mins Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Charred by the outside world, tender at heart From their ramshackle yakiniku restaurant, a Korean family endure the hardships of their migrant experience in 1970s Japan. The industrious and resilient spirit of immigrant parents, the romantic rivalry and companionship of three sisters, and the struggle of their bullied younger brother, tells a complex story of acceptance and identity set in postwar Japan. Originally an award-winning stage play by Wishing Chong, Yakiniku Dragon’s film adaptation features Yoko Maki, Mao Inoue, Kim Sang-Ho and Yo Oizumi. 19 th Jeonju International Film Festival - Opening Film © 2018 “YAKINIKU DRAGON” Film Partners

Color Me True

The 8-Year Engagement

今夜、ロマンス劇場で

8年越しの花嫁奇跡の実話

Director: Hideki Takeuchi 2018 108mins

Director: Takahisa Zeze 2017 119mins

Suitable for all ages

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

A charming love story set in the magical world of 60s filmmaking

An against all-odds romance based on the true story of Mai and Hisashi Nakahara

Aspiring director Kenji (Kentaro Sakaguchi) is smitten with the star of his favourite retro film, a beautiful but stubborn heroine called Princess Miyuki (Haruka Ayase). He yearns for the princess from the bygone era of black and white cinema, and spends his evenings replaying the film just to see her face. Through a strange twist of fate, Miyuki bursts forth from the silver screen and joins a bewildered Kenji in his world filled with colour—and she’s even feistier off-screen!

This beautiful love story starts when Mai and Hisashi (Takeru Sato) meet at a gokon (group blind date). Polar opposites, Mai is bubbly and headstrong while Hisashi is quiet and considerate. But opposites do attract— they naturally fall in love and eventually get engaged. However, Mai is suddenly struck down with a rare disease that sends her into a coma. Despite her slim chances of recovery, Hisashi refuses to leave her side. 20 th Udine Far East Film Festival Official Selection

ROMANCE

Chihayafuru Musubi

Rainbow Days

ちはやふる結び

虹色デイズ

Director: Norihiro Koizumi 2018 127mins

Director: Ken Iizuka 2018 109mins

Suitable for all ages

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Not just a game, karuta contains the answers to life’s greatest questions

Youth only comes around once

Chihaya and her friends are in their final year of high school, which means they have one last chance to win the national karuta championships, a fastpaced and physically demanding card game based on classic poetry. But just because they’re busy training for the competition, they’re not excused from real life. Like other teens, they have to deal with homework, exams, friendship and the occasional heartbreak.

COMING OF AGE

Discover the charms of Japanese high school life in this perfect mix of daydreams, reality and coming of age drama. Rainbow Days follows the lives of four high school friends—Natchan, the hopeless romantic; Mattsun, the narcissistic playboy; Tsuyopon, the studious otaku; and Kei-chan, the cheerful one with questionable hobbies. Homework and exams aside, they’re determined to live the best years of their lives.

River’s Edge

リバーズ・エッジ Director: Isao Yukisada 2018 118mins Strictly 18+ (Contains strong themes; moderate nudity, violence and language)

Special Guest Session Sydney 20 Nov Film screening followed by Q&A with guest

A brutal and turbulent coming-of-age drama laced with violence, sex, and death Haruna and her school friends don’t have much in common except for the social pressures they’re facing. Secretly, it’s the class loner Yamada, bullied for being gay, who she really connects with. Late one evening, Haruna forges an unusual, twisted bond with Yamada when he shows her a corpse hidden by the riverbank: their friendship comes with dangerous consequences. Awardwinning director Yukisada combines straight narrative with cinema vérité to elevate River’s Edge beyond the standard angst-ridden teen drama. The result is a darkly realistic depiction of teenage life in 90s Tokyo.

Isao Yukisada 行定勲 (Director) Auteur Isao Yukisada has made some of the most memorable films in contemporary Japanese cinema, including Crying out Love in the Center of the World (2004). His films have been nominated for and received numerous accolades in the international film festival circuit, including Berlinale, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival.

COMING OF AGE

Closing Film Oh Lucy!

オー・ルーシー！ Director: Atsuko Hirayanagi 2017 • 108mins

Special Guest Session Sydney 25 Nov Film screening followed by Q&A with guest

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

Brilliantly simple and bracingly funny—a dark comedy about culture clash and self-discovery Emotionally unfulfilled and stuck in a meaningless life, Setsuko (Shinobu Terajima) enrols in an unorthodox English class that requires her to wear a blonde wig and take on an alter ego named “Lucy.” The new identity awakens something dormant in her and she quickly develops romantic feelings for her American teacher, John (Josh Hartnett). When John suddenly disappears, Setsuko travels all the way to California to chase after the only aspiration she’s ever had in life.

Shioli Kutsuna 忽那汐里 (Actor) Australian-born actor Shioli Kutsuna appeared in various Japanese productions before she made her big break in Lee Sang-il’s Unforgiven (2013). Her first major international work was in Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s The Assassin, followed more recently by Wayne Wang’s While the Women Are Sleeping and the Marvel franchise’s Deadpool 2.

COMEDY

Foodie Sessions

Win lucky door prizes from Ippudo and Sakeshop When you attend our foodie screening sessions of Ramen Shop and Tampopo!

Off the Reel

Melbourne Classics Talk

Delve deeper into classic Japanese cinema and join our guest researcher Dr Emerald King (La Trobe) for a discussion exploring the intersection of film, literature, society and culture. Join us for the screening of Manji: The Goddess of Mercy at ACMI Sunday 2 December, 11am and the post-film discussion. Free event bookings required via ACMI.

Presented with

JFF Classics Passion and Obsession

Manji: The Goddess of Mercy

Juvenile Jungle

狂った果実

A Geisha

祇園囃子

Dir: Kenji Mizoguchi 1953 84mins B&W UNCL 15+

Young Eiko escapes her lecherous uncle by seeking refuge in an okiya, a lodging house. There she determinedly pleads with the esteemed geisha, Miyoharu, to take her on as an apprentice. Struggling to keep afloat in the post-war economy, the two women strive to excel in their profession as dignified artists. Based on the novel Gionbayashi by Matsutaro Kawaguchi. © 1953 Kadokawa Pictures

CLASSICS

Dir: Ko Nakahira 1956 86mins B&W UNCL 15+

Brothers Haru and Natsu are spending yet another summer by the sea. Their endless days, filled with gambling, swimming and drinking, take an eventful turn when they meet and fall for the same woman, Eri. Juvenile Jungle, written by Shintaro Ishihara, became a cultural phenomenon soon after its release. It portrayed the sexual revolution of Japan’s disillusioned and privileged post-war youth, referred to as the taiyozoku or sun tribe generation. © 1956 Nikkatsu

卍

Dir: Yasuzo Masumura 1964 90mins Colour Strictly 18+

Manji starts with Sonoko, a wealthy bored housewife who enrols in art classes to pass time. At school Sonoko meets Mitsuko, a young heiress, and quickly becomes attached to her. Their budding friendship turns into a love affair, unexpectedly taking them down a path of madness. Director Masumura, whose works often focus on destructive obsession, smoothly navigates a complicated web of love triangles and hidden desires in this on screen adaptation of Junichiro Tanizaki’s novel, Quicksand. © 1964 Kadokawa Pictures

Free admission. All films are in 35mm, in Japanese with English subtitles. Sydney 3-31 Oct (Art Gallery of NSW). Melbourne 22 Nov-2 Dec (ACMI). See japanesefilmfestival.net for the full program, schedule and booking details. Sydney will also show Kagero-za and Okoto and Sasuke (in 16mm).

The Pornographers

「エロ事師たち」より人類学入門

Nihonbashi

日本橋

Dir: Kon Ichikawa 1956 112mins Colour UNCL 15+

Kon Ichikawa’s first colour film is a story of two ladies in a cutthroat competition to reign over Nihonbashi, Tokyo’s premier geisha district. Their rivalry grows fiercer when a handsome young doctor becomes the object of their affections. Despite their messy love triangle, the end goal for these modern superwomen is not romance, but to be Queen among geisha. Originally written by Kyoka Izumi, Ichikawa transforms the melodramatic premise into a decadent and intriguing film. © 1956 Kadokawa Pictures

The Affair

情炎

Dir: Yoshishige Yoshida 1967 98mins B&W UNCL 15+

As a young woman, Oriko (played by prolific actor Mariko Okada) condemned her widowed mother for openly pursuing relationships with younger men. After her mother passes away, she finds herself in an unhappy, loveless marriage and begins to understand her mother’s actions. The Affair, based on Masaaki Tachihara’s novel, depicts female characters exploring their own desires and seeking to define their own sexuality. © 1967 Shochiku Co., Ltd

Dir: Shohei Imamura 1966 128mins B&W Strictly 18+

Even though pornographic filmmaker Subu is constantly threatened by the police and local gangsters, he still sees his work as a drop of sunshine in a repressed society. He hustles to stay alive in Japan’s supposed post-war economic miracle while supporting his lover Haru, in the hopes of winning her children’s approval. Darkly humorous and satirical, Imamura’s comical treatment of social taboos shocked audiences in 1966 and its discourse remains fresh even in 2018. Based on the novel by Akiyuki Nosaka. © 1966 Nikkatsu

Venues and Ticketing Festival Dates and Venues Sydney

Melbourne

15–25 November

22 November– 02 December

Event Cinemas George Street

Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)

505-525 George St Sydney NSW Box office open 10am-9:30pm (02) 9273 7300

Federation Square Melbourne VIC

Cnr Swanston & Latrobe St Melbourne VIC

Box office open 10am-5pm (03) 8663 2583

Box office open 10:30am-8:30pm 1300 357 357

Ticket Prices

Save with a 5 Film pass!

Adult

$18.50

Concession

$16.50

5 Film Pass*†

$75

Group Bookings (10+)† $14 JPF Member∆

Hoyts Melbourne Central Melbourne Central Shopping Centre

$14

*Save money when you book 5 tickets in one transaction. Share with friends or mix and match film sessions for yourself. †

Excludes Opening Film, Special Guest Events, and Wilderness. Available only via box office and all sessions/tickets must be purchased in one transaction.

∆ Available at the box office when you present a current Japan Foundation Membership card.

Buy your tickets

Festival enquiries

Online japanesefilmfestival.net

The Japan Foundation, Sydney (02) 8239 0055

(Booking fees apply)

Box Office

Please call the box office first to confirm if tickets are on sale

The JFF also tours:

Canberra 17–21 October Brisbane 24–28 October

Perth 31 October–04 November Adelaide 9–11 November

Creating homes and communities that improve with time and last for generations.

Providore of Sake, Umeshu, Shochu Celebrating 10,000 homes in Australia.

sekisuihouse.com.au

SYDNEY: 105 Percival Rd Stanmore NSW MELBOURNE: 422 Church St Richmond VIC

www.sakeshop.com.au

Event Cinemas George Street

Sydney 15–25 November Date

English Title

Japanese Title

Genre

15 Nov • Thu 19:15

One Cut of the Dead

カメラを止めるな！

COMEDY

16 Nov • Fri

18:00

Color Me True

今夜、ロマンス劇場で

ROMANCE

20:15

Dynamite Graffiti

素敵なダイナマイトスキャンダル

PERIOD DRAMA

16 Nov • Fri 16 Nov • Fri

Time

18:45

DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura

DESTINY 鎌倉ものがたり

FANTASY

17 Nov • Sat 11:00

Summer Blooms

四月の永い夢

DRAMA

17 Nov • Sat 15:00

Yakiniku Dragon

焼肉ドラゴン

FOODIE PERIOD DRAMA

犬猿

友罪

DRAMA

My Friend ‘A’

タンポポ

FOODIE

17 Nov • Sat 13:00

Ramen Shop

17 Nov • Sat 15:30

Thicker than Water

17 Nov • Sat 18:30

Tampopo

17 Nov • Sat 17:35

ラーメン・テー

CRIME & SUSPENSE

17 Nov • Sat 20:00

Call Boy

娼年

EROTICA

Killing

斬、

PERIOD DRAMA

18 Nov • Sun 12:00

The 8-Year Engagement

8年越しの花嫁奇跡の実話

ROMANCE

18 Nov • Sun 12:20 18 Nov • Sun 16:00

The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine 菊とギロチン夜は短し歩けよ乙女 Night is Short, Walk on Girl

18 Nov • Sun 16:15

We Make Antiques!

嘘八百

ANIME

SUKITA / The Shoot Must Go On

COMEDY

18 Nov • Sun 18:00

SUKITA 刻まれたアーティストたちの一瞬

DOCUMENTARY

18 Nov • Sun 20:30

The Scythian Lamb

羊の木

CRIME & SUSPENSE

20 Nov • Tue 18:00

River’s Edge

リバーズ・エッジ

COMING OF AGE

21 Nov • Wed 18:00

MIXED DOUBLES

ミックス。

COMEDY

17 Nov • Sat 20:45

18 Nov • Sun 12:15

21 Nov • Wed 20:15

Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter

My Friend ‘A’

名探偵コナンから紅の恋歌

友罪

ANIME

PERIOD DRAMA

CRIME & SUSPENSE

Date

Time

22 Nov • Thu 18:00 22 Nov • Thu 19:00

English Title

Japanese Title

Chihayafuru Musubi

ちはやふる結び

The Third Murder

三度目の殺人

Genre COMING OF AGE CRIME & SUSPENSE

22 Nov • Thu 20:30

Call Boy

娼年

EROTICA

23 Nov • Fri

18:00

The 8-Year Engagement

8年越しの花嫁奇跡の実話焼肉ドラゴン

ROMANCE PERIOD DRAMA

20:45

The Blood of Wolves

孤狼の血

CRIME & SUSPENSE

23 Nov • Fri 23 Nov • Fri

20:30

Yakiniku Dragon

Chihayafuru Musubi

ちはやふる結び

24 Nov • Sat 12:30

Wilderness*

あゝ荒野

DRAMA

24 Nov • Sat 16:00

We Make Antiques!

嘘八百

One Cut of the Dead

カメラを止めるな！

COMEDY

24 Nov • Sat 18:30

Goodbye, Grandpa!

24 Nov • Sat 20:45

Killing

おじいちゃん、死んじゃったって。 DRAMA ROMANCE 今夜、ロマンス劇場で

24 Nov • Sat 11:00 24 Nov • Sat 13:30 24 Nov • Sat 18:30 24 Nov • Sat 20:30

The Crimes That Bind

祈りの幕が下りる時

Color Me True

斬、

COMING OF AGE

CRIME & SUSPENSE

COMEDY

PERIOD DRAMA

Rainbow Days

虹色デイズ

25 Nov • Sun 13:30

MIXED DOUBLES

ミックス。

COMEDY

25 Nov • Sun 16:00

Love At Least

生きてるだけで、愛。

DRAMA

DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura

DESTINY 鎌倉ものがたり

FANTASY

25 Nov • Sun 11:30 25 Nov • Sun 13:45 25 Nov • Sun 16:10 25 Nov • Sun 18:30

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Oh Lucy!

OPENING / CLOSING

Special Guest

旅猫リポート

オー・ルーシー！

COMING OF AGE DRAMA

COMEDY

Includes Lucky Door Prize

* This 324 min long film includes a 20 min intermission. Special pricing ($25) applies, discounts not applicable. All films are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Schedules may be subject to change. For the most updated schedule, visit japanesefilmfestival.net

ACMI

Melbourne 22 Nov – 02 Dec Date

English Title

Japanese Title

Genre

One Cut of the Dead

カメラを止めるな！

COMEDY

Nihonbashi

日本橋

CLASSIC

Dynamite Graffiti

素敵なダイナマイトスキャンダル

PERIOD DRAMA

24 Nov • Sat 11:15

Summer Blooms

四月の永い夢

DRAMA

24 Nov • Sat 14:15 24 Nov • Sat 17:30 24 Nov • Sat 20:30

SUKITA / The Shoot Must Go On

SUKITA 刻まれたアーティストたちの一瞬

DOCUMENTARY DRAMA

Time

22 Nov • Thu 19:00 23 Nov • Fri 23 Nov • Fri 23 Nov • Fri

10:00 18:30 20:30

24 Nov • Sat 13:20

25 Nov • Sun 11:00

Killing

Yakiniku Dragon

斬、

焼肉ドラゴン

生きてるだけで、愛。

PERIOD DRAMA

Love At Least The Third Murder

三度目の殺人

CRIME & SUSPENSE

The Affair

情炎

CLASSIC

25 Nov • Sun 13:10

Goodbye, Grandpa!

25 Nov • Sun 17:40

Killing

25 Nov • Sun 17:45

The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine 菊とギロチン

PERIOD DRAMA

26 Nov • Mon 18:30

The Pornographers

「エロ事師たち」より人類学入門

CLASSIC

27 Nov • Tue 17:30

A Geisha

祇園囃子

CLASSIC

25 Nov • Sun 15:15

27 Nov • Tue 19:30 28 Nov • Wed 18:00 28 Nov • Wed 20:00 29 Nov • Thu 18:30

Tampopo

The Blood of Wolves Juvenile Jungle

Thicker than Water Ramen Shop

おじいちゃん、死んじゃったって。 DRAMA タンポポ FOODIE 斬、

孤狼の血

狂った果実

犬猿

ラーメン・テー

PERIOD DRAMA

CRIME & SUSPENSE CLASSIC

DRAMA FOODIE

29 Nov • Thu 20:30

Call Boy

娼年

EROTICA

30 Nov • Fri

18:30

Night is Short, Walk on Girl

夜は短し歩けよ乙女

One Cut of the Dead

ANIME

20:40 12:00

Wilderness*

30 Nov • Fri 01 Dec • Sat

カメラを止めるな！あゝ荒野

COMEDY

DRAMA

15:00

The Blood of Wolves

孤狼の血

19:00

Yakiniku Dragon

焼肉ドラゴン

PERIOD DRAMA

20:00

My Friend ‘A’

友罪

CRIME & SUSPENSE

02 Dec • Sun 11:00

Manji: The Goddess of Mercy

卍

CLASSIC

02 Dec • Sun 16:00

The Scythian Lamb

羊の木

CRIME & SUSPENSE

Oh Lucy!

オー・ルーシー！

COMEDY

01 Dec • Sat 01 Dec • Sat 01 Dec • Sat 01 Dec • Sat

17:45

02 Dec • Sun 13:30 02 Dec • Sun 18:40

We Make Antiques!

River’s Edge

嘘八百

リバーズ・エッジ

CRIME & SUSPENSE

COMEDY

COMING OF AGE

Hoyts Melbourne Central

Melbourne 22 Nov – 02 Dec Date

Time

English Title

Japanese Title

23 Nov • Fri

18:15

Color Me True

今夜、ロマンス劇場で

MIXED DOUBLES

ミックス。

Chihayafuru Musubi

ちはやふる結び

COMING OF AGE

DESTINY 鎌倉ものがたり

FANTASY

23 Nov • Fri

20:30

24 Nov • Sat 15:00

Genre ROMANCE COMEDY

24 Nov • Sat 17:40

DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura The 8-Year Engagement

8年越しの花嫁奇跡の実話

ROMANCE

25 Nov • Sun 12:30

Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter

名探偵コナンから紅の恋歌

ANIME

25 Nov • Sun 18:30

MIXED DOUBLES

ミックス。

COMEDY

29 Nov • Thu 18:30

The 8-Year Engagement

8年越しの花嫁奇跡の実話

ROMANCE

30 Nov • Fri

18:30

DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura

DESTINY 鎌倉ものがたり

FANTASY

01 Dec • Sat

15:45

24 Nov • Sat 20:15

25 Nov • Sun 16:00

01 Dec • Sat

18:00

02 Dec • Sun 12:15

02 Dec • Sun 14:45

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Rainbow Days

旅猫リポート

虹色デイズ

Color Me True

今夜、ロマンス劇場で

Chihayafuru Musubi

ちはやふる結び

The Crimes That Bind

OPENING / CLOSING

Special Guest

祈りの幕が下りる時

Classics Talk

DRAMA

COMING OF AGE

ROMANCE

COMING OF AGE CRIME & SUSPENSE

Includes Lucky Door Prize

* This 324 min long film includes a 20 min intermission. Special pricing ($25) applies, discounts not applicable. All films are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Schedules may be subject to change. For the most updated schedule, visit japanesefilmfestival.net

Stamp Rally （スタンプラリー）

Present your JFF cinema ticket* (paid sessions only) at the Festival Info Desk on the day of the screening session and collect stamps to win prizes**! Prizes must be redeemed during the festival period.

Prizes 3 stamps 6 stamps 9 stamps 12 stamps

- Win a JPF post-it note pad - Win a JFF pen - Win JFF Hashi chopsticks - Win a JFF T-Shirt

*Only one ticket will be honoured per person for each screening session. Stamps must be collected on the day of the screening. **Prizes are subject to availability.