JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
Wellington 9-11 February at Roxy Cinema
Upper Hutt 24, 25 February at Whirinaki Whare Taonga
The Japanese Film Festival is held annually in order to encourage the
growth and understanding of Japanese culture in New Zealand. Each year, we try to give the
people of New Zealand some insight into the Japanese culture, customs, and traditions of Japan,
alongside
what is popular in Japan's society today, through film.
All films will be in Japanese with English subtitles..
Roxy Cinema, Wellington - Free tickets (online booking fee: $2.01) HERE to
secure your seat. (ALL SOLD OUT)
Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt - Free tickets at HERE to secure your seat.
Ito
いとみち
Wellington Fri 9 Feb 6:15pm (SOLD OUT)
Upper Hutt Sat 24 Feb 1pm
Director: YOKOHAMA Satoko Year: 2021
Rating: PG
Length: 116min Genre: Drama
Introduction
Awarded Grand Prix - Best Picture in the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2021; It is the story
of a downcast
teenager living in the small town of Itayanaki, in northern Japan with her father and
grandmother. She's a talented traditional shamisen
musician. Recently, she has lost all interest in playing music and is eager for new
experiences. Ito impulsively answers a job ad for a nearby 'maid café'. Her new job
helps her break out of her shell, but it only adds to the simmering tension between her
and her father.
The Fish Tale
さかなのこ
Wellington Sat 10 Feb 1pm (SOLD OUT)
Upper Hutt Sat 24 Feb 3:30pm
Director: OKITA Shuichi Year: 2022
Rating: PG
Length: 139min Genre: Comedy, Drama
Introduction
Directed by Okita, the acclaimed filmmaker both domestically and
internationally; Meebo is a
grade-schooler who has an obsession with fish; observing,
illustrating and dreaming about fish every day and night. Meebo becomes even more
obsessed with fish in high school, and is put in charge of taking care of a pair of
horseshoe crabs at school, successfully breeding them, a first in Japan. The
achievement is reported on a news program. Meebo's enthusiasm for fish is now broadcast
nationally, affecting millions around Japan.
We Make Antiques! Kyoto Rendezvous
嘘八百 京町ロワイヤル
Wellington Sat 10 Feb 3:45pm (SOLD OUT)
Upper Hutt Sat 24 Feb 6:20pm
Director: TAKE Masaharu Year: 2020
Rating: PG
Length:106 min Genre: Comedy, Drama
Introduction
Directed by Masaharu Take produced the award-winning film “100 Yen Love,”,
a dowdy antique dealer in Kyoto is asked by a beautiful lady, Shino, to
find a swindled, valuable teacup made by Master Oriole in the 16th century.
The dealer
and a pottery artist create, for Shino, an authentic-looking imitation. Recognizing
their skills, she proposes a deal to earn big money in a con game, leading them to get
revenge on the villains who stained their reputation in the past.
The House of the Lost on the Cape
岬のマヨイガ
Wellington Sun 11 Feb 12:45pm (SOLD OUT)
Upper Hutt Sun 25 Feb 1pm
Director: KAWATSURA Shinya Year: 2021
Rating: PG
Length: 105min Genre: Anime, Fantasy
Introduction
Winner of the 2023 Les Toiles Filantes Festival in France and the 76th Mainichi Film
Awards in the Animation category, this heartwarming yet bittersweet tale from
award-winning author Sachiko Kashiwaba, set in her native Iwate Prefecture, is a story
of nostalgia, precious kinship and a touch of magic.
17-year-old Yui, a run-away and 8-year-old Hiyori, who lost her
family and her voice,
have no place to go when they run into Kiwa, a strange old lady who offers them a place
to stay. The place is called “Mayoiga” and is an old Japanese house overlooking the sea,
radiating warmth and warm hospitality. Both girls' damaged hearts begin to heal little
by little, until one day, a variety of strange beings which Kiwa calls "Fushigitto"
begin popping up around the house.
Dreaming of the Meridian Arc
大河への道
Wellington Sun 11 Feb 3pm (SOLD OUT)
Upper Hutt Sun 25 Feb 3:15pm
Director: NAKANISHI Kenji Year: 2022
Rating: PG
Length: 112min Genre: Drama, Comedy
Introduction
A team in the Katori City Office in Chiba, launches a project to revitalize
their city by sponsoring an NHK historical drama about a local historical figure.
The
figure they choose is Ino Tadataka, who is known for completing the first map of
Japan.
But during the development of the script, the team is panicked to discover the
staggering fact that Ino died before the map was completed. Back in 1818, after Ino
passed away, his pupils decide to conceal their master's death and carry out a
secret
operation to finish the map to honor him. The truth behind the first map of Japan is
now
revealed.
