What to see: A guide to the 2015 Japanese Film Festival
THOSE interested in all things sushi, samurai and sakura can expect to find all this and more in the full program for the 2015Japanese Film Festival in Melbourne! Trinh Le offers his handy guide for those unsure of what to see!
Offering a wealth of perspective to the often over-commercialised Hollywood-dominated cinema scene, Japanese films are renowned for being uniquely different in their storytelling and creation. Japanese cinema has presented the world with dazzling characters in animation, laid the foundation for many action epics and still continues to enthral audiences with pockets of insight into contemporary Japanese culture today.
Continuing its legacy of showcasing quality Japanese cinema both new and old, this year’s edition of the Japanese Film Festival brings to audiences more than 40 cinematic delights. All movies screen in Japanese with English subtitles.
From November 26 to December 6, audiences can see a range of films from animated period films, introspective culinary coming-of-age dramas and absurdist comedies. Yet with so many options and so little time, settling on even just one film can be very difficult.
If you’re a picky film goer and feel unsure about which films to attend, refer to our infographic below, co-created by Trinh Le and Natalie Ng, to help you navigate just a partial spread of the official program.
Not sure what to see? Use our useful infographic to find out what suits you! | Concept by Trinh Le; Graphic designed by Natalie Ng.
Other movies worth checking out include Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie – the latest instalment of the celebrated cyberpunk franchise; Solomon’s Perjury – a two-part high school mystery where the students take justice into their own hands; and The Lion Standing in the Wind – an inspiring story about a Japanese doctor saving lives in Kenya.
Screenings will take place across the festival’s usual locations — Hoyts Melbourne Central and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Adult tickets will set you back $18.50 per film while concession prices are only $15.50. Those who are particularly keen to see more than one film can do so by booking themselves in for a five-film pass which will cost $75. Alternatively, group bookings for groups of 10 people or more can be made and is priced at $13.50 per person.
Visit the Japanese Film Festival’s official website for the full program, learn about their special screenings and find out more about their promotions.