2013 Eiga-Sai - What films I look forward to

Confessions

My prayers were answered as this year's Eiga-Sai will feature 告白(Kokuhaku) aka Confessions. I've been longing to see it in film format and I've been pestering the Japan Foundation Manila's survey forms for two years. It's no big secret that I'm drawn with the movie - it's plot, characters, soundtrack and actors. It's a definite must for any Japanese Movie buff.

 Cast - Matsu Takako, Okada Masaki, Hashimoto Ai, Kimura Yoshino, Ashida Mana

Parade

Another I'm looking forward to is パレード aka Parade. This "flat" setting with mysterious ensemble of characters is another engrossing Japanese movie. Not as the caliber of Confessions, but it will ake you see social dynamics in a different light. 

Cast - Fujiwara Tatsuya, Karina, Kanjiya Shihori, Hayashi Kento, Koide Keisuke

ALWAYS Trilogy

ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日 (Always Sanchome no Yuhi) aka Always: Sunset on the Third Street - The Tour de Force Japanese Trilogy is making a comeback with all three movies (finally) being shown this year. I wish that the schedule would screen all of them on a common day but alas, I would just have to deal with it.

Cast - Horikita Maki,Yoshioka Hidetakam Tsutsumi Shinichi, Koyuki etc.

Rinco's Restaurant

食 堂かたつむり aka Rinco's Restaurant is just a charming movie. I think this is the first Japanese Movie I've had seen that was directed by a female Japanese director. Wonderfully made, it has this rustic and homey feel to it. Although not the strongest in this year's line-up it's this year's dark horse.

Cast - Shibasaki Kou, Yo Kumiko

2013 Eiga-Sai

Finally it's Eiga Sai again! This year's Eiga Sai (Movie Festival) c/o Japan Foundation Manila will start from July 4 to July 14 over at ShangCineplex 2, Shangri-La Mall. I have to admit that this year I'm very excited because Confessions (Kokuhaku) is included. Other films to look forward are Parade, Rinco's Restaurant and Always Trilogy. There are also two anime films: Mai Mai Miracle and Japan Our Homeland. The other selections are: Kamui, About Her Brother, Castle Under Fiery Skies and Dear Doctor.

I previously reviewed Confessions back in 2011 and I'm so impressed with it that I constantly pestered Japan Foundation Manila to screen it. I guess my persistence prevailed! Thank you so much JFMO.

For more information and screening schedule visit www.jfmo.org.ph or see the Eiga Sai 2013 Flyer.

Sadako 3D: Hashimoto Ai as Sadako!

Tomorrow in Japan the latest installment of The Ring franchise will have its wide release, and just before that, it was revealed (thank you TokyoHive) that the young actress Hashimoto Ai is the titular character!

Hashimoto Ai gained widespread popularity and praise for her role in the movie Confessions (2008). She is one of the rising teen actress with superb acting and looks in Japan.

I hope that Sadako 3D will be released here in the Philippines as I'm a fan of the original Japanese The Ring Trilogy not to mention a huge fan of Hashimoto Ai.

Film review: 告白(Confessions) 2010

Kokuhaku is a 2010 Japanese drama film that centers around the character of Moriguchi Yuka (Matsu Takako) a revenge driven middle school homeroom teacher. Her daughter was murdered by her students and decides to take action on them because her students (14 and under) are protected by the Juvenile Law of Japan. It revolves around the main casts' point of view of the whole situation/incident with lengthy monologues on their justification, reason/alibi or what not told in a "confession".

The acting by whole is superb especially the female leads Moriguchi and Kitahara Mizuki a.k.a Mizuho (Ai Hashimoto); the oblivious but likeable new teacher: Werther, people might find him a miscast but he shines as being the pitiful, trying hard neophyte; and the students bearing the brunt of Moriguchi's vengence, did a very good job bit got little bit annoying at times but something of praise for adolescent actors.

The movie has a slow pace but justifiable and enjoyable. The plot is somewhat simple yet the style on how it unfolds won't bore you. It keeps you entertained, well enough to sit through the lengthy dialogues and some annoying yet funny parts mostly of Werther.

The scoring is good, they've utilized good ambient songs from western rock and JPop though they should really stop using a lot of alternative/indie rock songs for it seems like you're watching an extended music video of Radiohead. None the less it set the mood in the right direction, really clever choices of song and artist.

The movie climaxes into a very thought provoking Big Brother-esque style scene but this one isn't boring, It's a fun chess game between the bluffer and the one with the nuts. Unlike the typical rhetorical mambo-jumbo this one is by far more fun, imaginative and playful than what I've seen so far but none the less does a good job of making you think.

A definite must watch for all Japanophiles and a very good film for film lovers looking for something different.