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.

2012 Eiga-Sai Aftermath

Another successful Eiga-Sai and I got to see eight of the ten films (well... six since I already saw Villain and Permanent Nobara). And although for me this year's selection isn't as good as last year, I'm pretty much satisfied and congratulate the Japan Foundation Manila for another superb Eiga-Sai.

I'll just cover four films as these for me are the strongest of the bunch. I was really hoping that Confessions(Kokuhaku) would be the feature instead of the movie Villain (Akunin). None the less Villain shines because of the excellent acting (Winner of Best Actor, Actrees, Supporting Actor and Actress in Japan).

Now on to the first movie, In His Chart (Kamisama no Karute)

I am a fan of Miyazaki Aoi and In his Chart is one of the movies where she just lets you charm her way into your heart even though she's just there supporting Sakuragi Sho. I have to say that Sho did a great job with his character, I really like his running gag throughout the film (I'm honored but I'm already married.) It's one of those cheesy Japanese drama but it just charms itself into your heart and cuddle you up like a spoiled baby. It reminds me of Departures(last year's feature film), it's not as good but it'll win you over. (or maybe I'm just a fanboy of Aoi)

Permanent Nobara

I've seen this on Screen Red a few days before Eiga-Sai, the slow pace might throw people off (or even bore them) but the climax and the acting of the cast is very good. The climax will grip and wrench your heart out, after 70mins of wonder and/or boredom. The movie's score is also one of the best.

Happy Flight

I've been a Yaguchi Shinobu thanks to Waterboys and my favorite Swing Girls. This time he puts this comedic ensemble to the skies. Probably the funniest and easy to digest of all the films in this year's festival. Happy Flight delivers undoubtedly, but anyone who have seen Yaguchi's glory in Waterboys and Swing Girls will feel this is not up to par. Not to fret this is still a very entertaining movie.

Tomorrow's Joe (Ashita no Joe)

This one really surprised me, I was expecting it to be an eye candy of sort for the Yamapi Fans, but it actually delivers. The set and costumes work amazingly, and even the boxing! This is one of the best movies when it comes to the sport (well the first boxing match is brilliant, the others...) The style and feel of the movie blew my expectations away. Nice job, not your typical good looking pop idol flick.

2012 Eiga-Sai

It's that time of year(1st week July) again: ShangCineplex long queue of Eiga Sai enthusiasts (Movie Festival in Japanese).

It will be held again in EDSA Shangri-La - from July 5 'till July 15 (for the Metro-Manila leg).

Films for this year are: Villain, Railways, Tomorrow's Joe, Ninja Kids, Colorful, Abacus and Sword, Permanent Nobara, Happy Fligt, PEAK - The Rescuers and In His Charts. Admission is free just be an hour early as the queue tends to be long due to the event's popularity

For more information visit www.jfmo.org.ph

EIGA SAI 2012 Schedule

July 5 TH
Villain (Akunin) 7pm Gala Night

July 6 FR
Railways 2pm
Permanent Nobara 4:30pm
PEAK - The Rescuers 7pm

July 7 SAT
Ninja Kids 2pm
Tomorrow's Joe 4:30pm
Happy Flight 7pm

July 8 SUN
Colorful (Animated) 2pm
In his charts 4:30pm
Abacus and Sword 7pm

July 9 MON
PEAK - The Rescuers 2pm
Railways 4:30pm
Villain 7pm

July 10 TUE
Happy Flight 2pm
Tomorrow's Joe 4:30pm
Colorful 7pm

July 11 WED
Ninja Kids 2pm
Permanent Nobara 4:30pm
In his chart 7pm

July 12 TH
Abacus and Sword 2pm
Railways 4:30pm
Villain 7pm

July 13 FRI
Tomorrow's Joe 2pm
Happy Flight 4:30pm
PEAK - The Rescuers 7pm

July 14 SAT
Permanent Nobara 2pm
Ninja Kids 4:30pm
In his Chart 7pm

July 15 SUN
Abacus and Sword 2pm
Colorful 4:30pm
Villain 7pm

2011 Eiga-Sai

 

This is a late post. July is Philippine - Japan Friendship month, Japan Foundation Manila organizes different activities and events such as concerts, workshops, exhibits and film showing which are usually free.

This year's Eiga Sai (Japanese for Film Festival) film selection: Departures(Okuribito)*AMPAS 2009 Best Foreign Language Film*, Your Friend(Kimi no Tomodachi), Feel The Wind(Kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteiru), The Chef of South Polar(Nankyoku Ryourinin), Climber's High, The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones(Tsurugidake: Ten no ki), One Million Yen Girl(Hyaku man en to nigamushi onna), Yunagi City - Sakura Country(Yunagi no machi Sakura no kuni), Summer days with Coo(Kappa no Ku to natsu yasumi) and Villion's Wife(Viyon no Tsuma).

I got to see The Summit: A Chronicle of stones, Departures, Feel the Wind, Your Friend and One Million Yen Girl during Eiga Sai's Shangri-La leg.

These said movies are my top choices, I didn't get to see Yunagi City and Chef of South Polar but I've downloaded them and they are amazing as well. I'd like to discuss more of these movies but I might spoil it to viewers who haven't seen them yet.

Departures is a magnificent film and I hope people will get to see it someday. But my personal favorite for this year's Eiga Sai has got to be Feel the Wind. I never had high expectations about the film but it got me good, a very well done film with a simple story yet the acting and direction is amazing.

That's all for now, see you all next year's Eiga Sai!