Japan Film Week 2020 Goes Online

A spin-off of the annual Japanese Film Festival, Japan Film Week is back online from July 22 to 26! The event is made possible by the Japan Foundation, Manila, in partnership with Solar Pictures, Sinag Maynila, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month.

The Japanese Film Festival is an annual event curated for enthusiasts of Japanese cinema, arts, and culture. 

A roster of Japanese animation, documentary, drama and feature films will be available this week including:

• Bittersweet (Nigakute amai) is the live-action adaptation of Kobayashi Yumio’s romance about a straight woman who doesn’t like vegetables falling in love with a gay vegetarian. The vegetable dishes meticulously presented in every volume which are incorporated into the visuals.
• The Takatsu River (Takatsugawa) is a film drama that portrays various people living along the river basin of Shimane Prefeture’s Takatsu River, a government-protected river, burdened by decreasing population as they carry on the tradition of “Kagura” Shinto music and dance which is said to be the roots of Kabuki.
• Chieri and Cherry (Chieri and Cherry) is an animation film that deals with the emotional growth of a young girl who confronts the importance of life and sets out toward a new future.
• From All Corners (Tabisuru danboru) is a feature-length documentary about “cardboard artist” Shimazu Fuyuki who creates wallets from cardboard boxes discarded on the street. From there he designs and adds functionality to the cardboard wallets he creates.
• Hana’s Miso Soup (Hanachan no misoshiru) is a film adaptation of the identically titled essay recording of Yasutake Chie’s fight with cancer as well as the daily life of her husband and daughter.
• What’s for Dinner, Mom? (Mama gohan mada?) is a feature drama film based on Hitoto Tae’s essay about sisters born to a Taiwanese father and Japanese mother who reaffirm their familial bonds through the recipes left behind by their deceased mother.

This week's online film screening is on a first come, first served basis, subject to limited slot availability.  After registering for a Vimeo account, viewers may access the films on the start date and time of the screening by using the provided free access codes.  Just follow these instructions:

1. Sign up for a free account at https://vimeo.com/
2. Go to this URL: https://bit.ly/Japan_Film_Week
3. Click the title of your choice (*the film’s title text should turn blue)
4. A new window will open, with more information about the film
5. Click "Rent", then "Apply promo code", and type JapanFilmWeek
6. Click "Apply", then "Continue", then "Watch Now"
7. Enjoy!

To note, the film lineup can only be accessed from the Philippines. Screenings are subject to change without prior notice. For updates, join the event page https://bit.ly/JapanFilmWeek_July22-26 or visit the Japan Foundation, Manila’s website https://jfmo.org.ph/events-and-courses/japan-film-week/