The Opening Reception of Japanese Film Festival 2016 was held at National Museum of Singapore on the evening of 1 September 2016. Focusing on the audacity and action of the retrospective films of movie director Suzuki Seijun, ‘Youth of the Beast’ is selected as the premiere screening at the opening. Both JCC Director Ms Misako Ito and Luna Films Festival Director Mr Gavin Low also gave welcoming speeches to all the audiences before the movie.

Suzuki Seijun himself claims that 1963 was the year when he truly came into his own, and ‘Youth of the Beast’ is one of his breakthroughs. In a career spanning nearly six decades, he has amassed a body of work ranging from B-movie yakuza thrillers to arthouse mysteries. His greatest hits will be featured at the festival, together with a selection of seldom-seen rarities, and ends with a screening of his comeback film, A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness.

The annual festival, which is organised by JCC (Japan Creative Centre), Embassy of Japan in Singapore, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, Luna Films, Singapore Film Society and the National Museum of Singapore, is held for the 23rd time in Singapore and will run from 1 September to 18 September 2016 with a total of 31 screenings. All the films in the retrospective will be screened on 35mm, a rarity with today’s digital cinema.

Through the years, the selection of films has hinged on one criterion – that these films move audiences as they have moved its programmer. So do come down and let us embark together on this journey of discovery and exploration into the world of Japanese Film! More information about the films, tickets and screening schedule are available on the Japanese Film Festival 2016 official website. See you there!