It’s no secret that Japanese culture has since left its mark on the Philippines. Aside from their technology, values, fashion, and music, another significant aspect of their culture that wowed Filipinos is their entertainment.
Japanese movies and series have captured the hearts and minds of nearly every viewer in the country. Some shows inspired Filipino counterparts, like the upcoming Voltes V: Legacy on GMA 7. To further this shared interest and passion for entertainment, the Japanese Film Festival in the Philippines resumes on-site screenings after two years of hibernating online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opening the much-awaited festival is the 2021 animated film Belle by Hosoda Mamoru. The film, highly recommended by Japan Foundation Manila Director Ben Suzuki and Deputy Director Yojiro Tanaka, tells the story of a high school girl Suzu (Nakamura Kaho). She lost the ability to sing when her mother died in an accident when she was young. One day, a friend invited her to join the virtual world, U, which has over 50 million members. There, Suzu created an alter-ego called Belle and became internationally famous.
Tanaka considers it a timely piece because people confined themselves in the metaverse during the previous years. Meanwhile, Suzuki finds it relatable to viewers of every age. While the youth will marvel at the vibrancy and flow of the story, mature audiences can comprehend its deeper meanings and lessons.
Like other Japanese animated films that captured the hearts and minds of their viewers, Belle also has a compelling musical score.
JFF will also have other films that range from animated films to dramas to thrillers to feel-good movies. Included films in the festival are Intolerance, Blue, And So The Baton Is Passed, ANIME SUPREMACY!, BLUE THERMAL, IN THE WAKE, Lesson In Murder, INU-OH, and Every Day A Good Day.
“The Japanese Film Festival continues to offer new and contemporary takes on the development of Japanese cinema with a global perspective,” Suzuki said.
Commemorating its return to on-site screenings, the JFF will feature ten award-winning and must-see full-length films for 20 days. The Japanese Film Festival will kick off its on-site screenings from today, January 22 to February 3 at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.
JFF will have simultaneous screenings at SM City Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, and SM City Davao from January 27 to 31. Other venues where eager audiences can catch the films include Cinematheque branches in Manila, Negros, Iloilo, Davao, and Nabunturan from January 28 to 29. Lastly, there’s also the UP Cine Adarna in Quezon City from February 17 to 22.
It is one of the largest and most popular film festivals in the Philippines, attracting over 25,000 audiences annually. Audiences can easily access the films as the tickets are at P100 per screening.
Yet there’s more to the on-site screenings that await eager audiences of the Japanese Film Festival.
“Aside from the upcoming on-site cinema showing, we are now having the online Japanese Film Festival Plus, [featuring] the independent cinema of Japan,” said Director Suzuki.
Visit its official Facebook page for more information and the complete screening schedule.