2023 Japanese Film Festival in Cebu: January 27-31

With Sinulog and the Feast of Santo Niño over, it is back to normal routine here in Cebu.

However, just when we are all thinking that the celebration and gift-giving/receiving season are officially over, the Consulate-General of Japan in Cebu shared the happy announcement that “the Japanese Film Festival, known and appreciated as EIGASAI, presented and run by the Japan Foundation, Manila, will once again be held this year  in Cebu City, from January 27-31!

Ten Japanese films from various genres, drama (4), mystery/thriller (2) including anime (4), will be shown in Cinema 6 at the 2nd floor of SM Seaside (Cebu), with one hundred pesos (Php 100) admission for each film.

Four films will be shown each day from 1:00PM-9:00PM.

Except for the 100-minute drama “Every Day A Good Day,” shown in 2018, all the other films slated for this Eigasai have been recently released within 2021-2022.

Japan Foundation shared the following details about the films to guide interested viewers to select which film to watch and what information and background each film can provide the viewers about Japanese people, society, history and culture.

The first film to be shown from 1P.M on January 27 will be the 2018 drama, Every Day A Good Day, directed by OMORI Tatsushi with YOSHIMURA Tomomi, KANAI Takaharu, KONDO Takahiko in the cast will run for 100 minutes.

The movie revolves around “20-year-old Noriko (Kuroki), who upon the recommendation of her mother, who started, with her cousin Michiko (Tabe Mikako), taking tea ceremony lessons with Takeda, who has a reputation for being an extraordinary teacher.

At first, Noriko is confused by the intricate rules, but after two years she comes to realize the profundity of the tea ceremony.”

Recommended for those interested to know more about Japanese tea ceremony known as Ochanoyu.

Film#2, Intolerance, a 2021 drama/suspense directed by Keisuke Yoshida with Arata Furuta, Tori Matsuzaka in the cast  will run for an 107 minutes from 4P.M.

This trailer: “A junior high school girl suddenly dies. She got into an accident, apparently after a supermarket manager caught her trying to shoplift. The girl's father wants to prove her innocence and doggedly goes after the manager, but then he turns into a terrifying monster and chases down everyone involved.”

Film#3, BELLE, a 121-minute drama/animation to be shown from 7P.M, was directed by HOSODA Mamoru and starring NAKAMURA Kaho and SATOH Takeru.

“High school girl Suzu (Nakamura Kaho) lives in the verdant countryside. She lost her mother in an accident when she was young and lost the ability to sing. One day, Suzu is invited by her friend to join the virtual world known as "U" where there are over 50 million members. There she creates her own alter-ego named Belle and spontaneously is capable of singing. She becomes popular throughout the world as the singer Belle.”

BLUE, Film#4, the last to be shown from 9P.M was directed by Keisuke Yoshida, starring Kenichi Matsuyama and shown in 2021.

“Urita loves boxing more than anyone, but continues to lose. Meanwhile, his younger rival Ogawa is close to becoming the Japan champion and is preparing to marry Urita's childhood friend Chika. Though everything he's ever wanted is within Ogawa's grasp, Urita continues to work toward his dream.”

We will continue sharing the details of the other films to be shown January 28-31 in our next column this Saturday please.

Or you can please check ahead the following Facebook page of the Consulate General of Japan in Cebu where details and schedule of the films for the 2023 Eigasai will be posted:

https://m.facebook.com/Consulate-General-of-Japan-in-Cebu-100373328916351/

Please also watch out for Press Releases from Japan Foundation about the 2023 Eigasai.

Do invite others to join you enjoy these Japanese films!