Japanese Film Festival 2015

The annual Japanese Film Festival was held from 9 July this year at the National Museum of Singapore (NMS). Organised in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, Singapore Film Society, National Museum of Singapore and Luna Films, the festival will run till 8 August with a total of 41 screenings. Being the 22nd edition of the festival in Singapore, the selection of films has hinged on one criterion through the years, which is these films move audiences as they have moved its programmer.

The main theme for this year is the retrospective films by Okamoto Kihachi, one of the leading exponents of jidai-geki (時代劇). They are screened on 35mm, a rarity with today’s digital cinema. As for the contemporary component, a selection of sensitive, heartfelt and bold works by directors like Nobuhiro Yamashita, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri and Takahisa Zeze was selected. It presents an opportunity to enjoy the diverse talents of these bright sparks of Japanese cinema of our times. Two culinary films were featured in this festival as well, which not only allow audiences to understand about Japanese cuisine, but also to embark on a journey with the people behind the culinary through the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter.

JCC also had an opening reception for invited guests at the premiere screening of Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (座頭市と用心棒) on 9 July. The movie, which featured Zatoichi and Yojimbo, two of the most well-known samurai characters in Japanese films during the 20th century, was an effort from Okamoto Kihachi who supplies the satiric vision and stylistic panache worthy of the two iconic characters. Be sure to catch the remaining screening till the 8 August at the National Museum of Singapore!