Japanese Film Festival to Take Place in Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Hanoi and Da Nang

The Japanese Film Festival 2022 officially returns to Vietnamese moviegoers from October 21 to November 27 with extremely attractive, quality, and meaningful footage, according to the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam.

The Japanese Film Festival 2022 officially returns to Vietnamese moviegoers from October 21 to November 27 with extremely attractive, quality, and meaningful footage.

The festival according to this year’s programme will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from October 21 to October 30, Hai Phong from November 4 to November 6, Hanoi from November 11 to November 20, and Da Nang from November 25 to November 27.

A total of eight unique films on various topics will be presented during this year’s festival, all of which are realistic depictions of colourful life under Japanese-style camera angles and boundless creativity, expressing the unique worldview of filmmakers in the Far East country.

The movies to be screened include anime “Poupelle of Chimeney Town” directed by Yusuke Hirota, anime “Blue Thermal” by Masaki Tachibana, drama “And So The Baton Is Passed” by Tetsu Maeda, “Blue” by Yoshida Keisuke, anime “INU-OH” by Masaaki Yuasa, live action “Anime Supremacy” by Yoshino Kohei, drama “In the wake” by Takahisa ZEZE, and drama “Intolerance” by Yoshida Keisuke.

“Blue” by Yoshida Keisuke.

In 'Blue', Urita has a profound love of boxing but lacks talent. Kazuki is his underling who has a shot at the title match, and Chika is Urita's childhood friend who dates Kazuki. Their emotions remain hidden away as the big fight approaches… This drama uses the unforgiving sport of boxing to cast a kind gaze on human life that has no clear winner. Yoshida Keisukes splendid direction exudes emotions that are kept hidden, and audiences will undoubtedly be profoundly moved by Uritas emotional state as portrayed by the famed young actor Matsuyama Kenichi

A string of murders by starvation. Hidden behind the bizarre case is a tragic truth, complexly intertwined with crime, punishment, and justice.

'In the wake' is a film adaptation of best-selling author Shichiri Nakayama’s mystery novel. Nine years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, grisly murders occur in the urban area of Miyagi Prefecture, where victims are tied up and left to starve. The victims all had reputations for being good men, men of integrity. Seiichiro Tomashino, from the First Investigation Division of Miyagi Prefectural Police, uncovers common ground between the two murders. Meanwhile, Yasuhisa Tone, surfaces as a suspect in the investigation. Tone, who had been serving time for committing arson and assault while trying to help out a friend, was a model prisoner who had just been released. While police are unable to find conclusive evidence to implicate him, a third murder occurs. “What should one protect?” “What is the reason for the murders?

Anime “Blue Thermal”.

Meanwhile, college student Tamaki, in anime “Blue Thermal”, unexpectedly becomes enthralled by competitive gliding and displays surprising talent. Can she lead her university to victory in the upcoming competition? And will her relationship with the upperclassman she admires move forward?

This coming-of-age animation portrays college students enthralled by the world of gliding and ascension. Audiences related to the heroine as she matures while struggling with relationships. Notable for visuals saturated with beauty and openness that enable viewers to share with the protagonists the thrills and pleasures of flying.

Live action “Anime Supremacy” by Yoshino Kohei.

In this live action 'Anime Supremacy', Hitomi works at an anime production company and finally gets to make her directorial debut. But she struggles endlessly with the demanding producer and gaining the cooperation she needs from the production staff. Moreover, Hitomis anime occupies the same timeslot as the hotly anticipated new anime from genius director Chiharu. Sparks fly as they head for a showdown!

This exciting drama is a live-action movie, and yet it amply captures the fascination of anime through the unique anime story worlds. Don't miss this duel between popular stars Yoshioka Riho and Nakamura Tomoya.

Drama “And So The Baton Is Passed” by Tetsu Maeda

'And So the Baton Is Passed' tells the story of Yuko who is currently living with her stepfather Morimiya that is her third father. She has two mothers and three fathers, since her second mother Rika married several times. Each family loved Yuko in their own way, and she was having a happy life. However, Rika suddenly disappears, after she married to Morimiya. When Yuko grew up and decides to marry, she becomes to know the reason why Rika left, and why she had been passed like a baton among many fathers…

Drama “Intolerance” by Yoshida Keisuke.

In drama “Intolerance” by Yoshida Keisuke, a junior high school student is suspected of shoplifting and flees the store, but she gets hit by a car and dies. Her short-tempered father is outraged and terrorizes the school and grocery store manager. Soon everyone involved in the accident is pushed to the edge…

The film captivates viewers with surprising plot developments and intricate portrayals of the behavior and psychology of people caught in extreme situations. This unusual drama deals with questions of absolution and spiritual restitution. Popular stage actor Furuta Arata and leading young actor Matsuzaka Tori deliver credible performances.

Anime “INU-OH” by Masaaki Yuasa

In this second anime of the film festival, traditional musicians used songs to pass down the tale of the warfare that once divided Japan. In the 14th century those songs become fated for censorship when the government puts their official history in order. Blind musician Tomona has a fateful encounter with Inu-oh, the dancer with unique physical characteristics, and they electrify the populace with their radically new music and dance. This animation uses bold concepts and beautiful visuals to portray the birth of a traditional Japanese performing art. Director Yuasa Masaaki conceived of the medieval hero entertainers as rock stars and is himself one of Japans leading artists.

Anime “Poupelle of Chimeney Town” directed by Yusuke Hirota.

'Poupelle of Chimney Town' is the story of young Lubicchi living among the thick smoke from the chimneys of his isolated town, yearning to see the “stars” — to know the truth — his father always told him about. One Halloween night he meets Poupelle, a man made of garbage, and together they look to the sky as their adventure begins. Spectacularly beautiful, filled with inspiring performances and splendid music and sound effects, and produced at Tokyo's famed Studio4ºC, Poupelle of Chimney Town brings laughter, tears and joy.

Last year the event was held virtually due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

TICKET FARE

In Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City

VND 30,000 per person (children/pupil/student)/movie/showing

VND 40,000 per person (adult)/movie/showing

In Hai Phong & Da Nang

VND 20,000 per person (children/pupil/student)/movie/showing

VND 30,000 per person (adult)/movie/showing

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