Japan Creative Centre
FREE ADMISSION!

The Japan Creative Centre invites you to join us at our JCC film screening and creative session. As part of JCC's creative program, we will be screening exciting Japanese movies at the end of every month. The screening will then be followed by an informative sharing session where guest speakers will share their thoughts and insights on all things Japan!

For our sixth session, we will be screening "Gorsch the Cellist", the critically acclaimed 1982 anime adaptation of the short story by beloved children's author Kenji Miyazawa. The film is directed by Isao Takahata, widely-known for his extensive work at Studio Ghibli. The screening will be followed by a sharing session by Mr. Mohamed Imran bin Mohamed Taib, a programme consultant at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.

Mr. Imran was invited to join the “Invitation Program for Young Muslim Intellectuals in Southeast Asia” organized by the Japan Foundation. During the programme he had a chance to visit Iwate, one of the prefectures affected by the Great Northeast Japan Earthquake, with the other participants. Mr. Imran will share his experiences there during the sharing session and also compare the child-like fantasy nature of the film to the old traditions and folklore of Iwate, of which Miyazawa was born.

This month's JCC Cinema is particularly meaningful as it ties in with the ongoing "Paintings and Sketches" Arts Exhibition in JCC by Hiroshi Sugito, who based many of his artworks on the unaffected areas of Iwate and incorporated the symbolic fantasy-like touch of Iwate in his style of painting.

Gorsch is a diligent but mediocre cellist who plays for a small town orchestra and the local cinema in the early 20th century. He struggles during rehearsals and is often berated by his conductor during preparations for an upcoming performance of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony.

Over the course of four nights, Gorsch is visited at his mill house home by talking animals as he is practicing. His interactions with them inspire him to gain insight into music and play the pieces well, leading to the great success of the Sixth Symphony concert.