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.

The 6th International Silent Film Festival Manila

It's that time of the year again - the only Silent Film Fest in Asia! This year I did what a proper film fest goer should do - RSVP tickets. This year USA joined in the fray and boy they'd put an exclamation point to the event. This Festival is easily my favorite next to Eiga-Sai (Japan). This time I had friends (first timers) to experience this amazing mix of two art forms, and they weren't disappointed. I hope many more will get to see this amazing event enthusiasts or not.

Films shown:

August 24, 2012 (Friday)

7pm Metropolis ft. Rubber Inc (Germany)

August 25, 2012 (Saturday) 

3pm La Casa de la Troya ft. Sinosikat and Ignacio Plaza (Spain)

7pm I was Born, But... ft. Tropical Depression (Japan)

August 26, 2012 (Sunday) 

4pm La Signora Delle Camelie ft. Garlic (Italy)

7pm Art Talk with Max Tessier and Raymond Red

7:30pm Eternity and Pelikula ft. Diwa De Leon (Philippines)

August 27, 2012 (Monday)

7pm Safety Last ft. Radioactive Sago Project (United States of America)

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

Gigs, Lives, Gigs, Lives

Haven't posted anything for about three months due to school project and finals plus I wanted to make a single entry for the gigs/lives I've attended.

Unit Asia:

First off is Unit Asia live in SM SkyDome back in February 13, 2012. In celebration of this year's Nihongo Fiesta, Japan Foundation Manila invited the jazz group composed of five outstanding musicians from Japan, Thailand and Malaysia: Isao “Sankichi” Miyoshi (guitar), Hiroyuki Noritake (drums), Shigeki Ippon (bass), Koh Mr. Saxman (saxophone) and Tay Cher Siang (piano). It was a mind blowing concert! These guys are of a different level of musicality, totally out of this world. It's also amazing that they are from different countries, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. Powerful jazz fusion, very entertaining and inspiring group of musicians from different cultures.

toe The Five,Six Seven Tour:

Post Rock band toe, performed last March 20, 2012 over at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. They weren't really supposed to play in the Philippines but there was an enormous support from Facebook as users from the Philippines flooded toe's Facebook account to have Philippines included in this tour. Thanks to Terno Records/Productions for doing a great job of having toe play here. The live itself was surreal and definitely as the saying goes "一期一会" - a once in a lifetime experience. I can't still recover from that intense live. Domo Ariga-toe

Sound Fusion 2011

お久しぶり！That was a long blogging break, I have been busy for the past months but I got to squeeze in this event or concert put together by the Japan Foundation Manila. It was held last November 16, 2011 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium RCBC Plaza. The concert features the groups Trinity, Matsumoto Taiko and Bandang Malaya.

Trinity is composed of Chikudo Takahashi (shamisen), Kei Wada (percussion) and Miki Maruta (koto). Formed in 2006 they released their first album in 2009.

Matsumoto Taiko is a Japanese singer/songwriter over a broad genre ranging from traditional Japanese folk to western jazz.

Bandang Malaya is a local Filipino band whose sound is a mix of ethnic Filipino music with a modern twist. They provided live music for Akeyuku Sora in this year's Manila International Film Festival.

The name of the event or concert is Sound Fusion and it couldn't have been more apt. It was a mix of two cultures: Japanese and Filipino; Old - traditional music and Modern Music; Jazz and Pop... It was an amazing experience that blew my mind. As a musician myself I never expected the mix of traditional Japanese instruments used in western Jazz and Pop and as a Beatles fan the medley was just amazing.

Another big pat on the back to Japan Foundation Manila for organizing this amazing concert. Keep it up and more power to your endeavors.

5th International Silent Film Festival

This year I got the chance to see three of the six films which are my original choices: Nosferatu Germany(1922), Akeyuku Sora *Dawning Sky*Japan(1929) and L'Inferno Itally(1911).

Where to start, Nosferatu as a film itself is just amazing, and of course Marx Schreck's Graf Orlok is just legendary, they even made a fiction and a film about him being a real vampire back in 2000 with The Shadow of the Vampire which is another magnificent film but that is a different story. Goethe Institut flew in Stephan Von Bothmer from Berlin the man who's been doing the score for Nosferatu, a truly amazing musician.

Akeyuku Sora is just a darling of a movie, I finally understand the reason behind the love for melodrama by the Japanese film makers. Bandang Malaya brought in a captivating and unique sound to the whole movie.

Finally L'Inferno, the 100 year old film one of  a few surviving film from the early silent film period *and my oldest film that I've seen to date*. Ever since in 2nd year high school I've been a fan of Dante Alighieri's Divina Comedia. . The film is truly a landmark of film, a very important part of not only film history but of human culture as well. The accompanying music was done by the band Razorback. I was quite impressed on how they brought modern, pulsating, intense hard rock to make the film more interesting, unique and worthwhile. The Italian team clearly had done so much justice to the classic film with a modern day twist.

Sadly I cannot participate for tomorrow's films, I hope my dear readers/followers will be able to attend tomorrow, this is a truly once in a lifetime experience worth of your time and effort.

And now Razorback:

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!

Hello Blogging World

This is my first official blog post.


Still looking around and studying how to improve the blog's appearance and overall appeal.

Expect new entries from last month's Philippine-Japan friendship month's Eiga Sai and the Aki and Kuniko concert!