Eiga Sai 2013 - The Japanese Film Festival @ the Shangri-la Plaza Mall EDSA

Japan’s history, culture, and true-to-life stories come together in Eiga Sai – the Japanese Film Festival – as hosted once again by Japan Foundation Manila in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, top lifestyle hub Shangri-La Plaza, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines from July 4 to 14, at Cinema 2 of the Shang Cineplex.

The film fest kicks off with the screening of About Her Brother, filmmaker Yamada Yoji’s homage to legendary director Ichikawa Kon's film of the same title. The movie presents a heartwarming story of the bond between a hard-working older sister Koharu and her long lost younger brother Tetsuro.

Meanwhile, set in a small working class town in post-war Tokyo, Always – Sunset on Third Street tells the interweaving stories of community residents at the time the famous Tokyo Tower was being constructed. In the first installment, sweets shop owner Chagawa drunkenly agrees to take care of a young boy, Junnosuke. But years after, Junnosuke’s father turns up in town and Chagawa decides to let go of the child.

In Always – Sunset on Third Street 2, Chagawa tries to secure a stable life to get Junnosuke back from his real father, and also to prove himself to Hiromi, the girl who left Junnosuke in his care. Chagawa starts writing again, hoping to win the Japanese literary prize, the Akutagawa award. In the last film, Always – Sunset on Third Street 3, Chagawa, now a novelist, faces more troubles as he finds himself upstaged by a younger writer and later receives word from his home in Nagano that his father is seriously ill.

Japan's entry for the 83rd Academy Awards' Foreign Language Film Category, Nakashima Tetsuya’s Confessions is a gripping film about high school teacher Moriguchi Yuko, who believes that one of her students murdered her daughter.

In Rinco’s Restaurant, the heartbroken Rinco moves in with her mother and opens up a restaurant. Because of her carefully prepared meals and heartfelt cooking, her place soon became known for bringing happiness to customers.

By the award-winning Nishikawa Miwa, Dear Doctor stars Shofukutei Tsurube, who gives an emphatic performance in his first lead role as Ino, a well-loved village doctor. After examining widow Kazuko, Ino learns she has a terminal condition. Kazuko asks him to lie about her illness, but before long, he mysteriously disappears.

Adapted from the classic Ninja comic by Shirato Sampei, Kamui is a live action period film that portrays the fierce escape of the young Kamui from the Ninja world, hoping to find his own freedom. Meanwhile, Castle under Fiery Skies, which takes place in 1575 in Feudal Japan, depicts how Oda Nobunaga’s forces defeated Takeda Katsuyori when the Nagashino Castle was besieged. Years after, Oda Nobunada builds a lavish new castle to symbolize his unification of various factions. Named Azuchi Castle, it will be built high enough to be seen from the Kyoto capital.

Parade is a dark coming-of-age film adapted from Yoshida Shuichi's novel, a winner of the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize. Praised for his portrayal of the restless and apathetic youth, director Yukisada Isao brilliantly conveys how repeated incidents of violent assault cast a shadow on the superficial relationship between a group of five young men and women who live in an apartment together. But their seemingly peaceful life is threatened by a male prostitute who comes into their lives.

Rounding up the line-up are two award-winning animated films. Mai Mai Miracle is a nostalgic full-length, animated film adapted from the autobiographical novel by Akutagawa Prize winner, Takagi Nobuko; while Japan, Our Homeland, a multi-awarded animation is based on an original story by director Nishizawa, describing life in a

class of sixth graders in Kiba downtown Tokyo, some ten years after the Second World War and how people struggled each day to get by.

Seats are on a first-come, first served basis. Tickets are released 30 minutes before the screening. Film ratings may be confirmed at the ticket office.

Schedule:

July 4, 2013
1:30pm - ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street (133mins)
4:30pm - Castle under fiery skies (139 mins)
7:30pm - Confessions (106 mins)

July 5, 2013
1:30pm - ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street- 2 (146 mins)
4:30pm - Rinco's Restaurant (119 mins)
7:30pm - Parade (115 mins)

July 6, 2013
1:30pm - Mai Mai Miracle (93mins)
4:30pm - ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street- 3 (142mins)
7:30pm - About Her Brother

July 7, 2013
1:30pm - Furusato -Japan (100 mins)
4:30pm - Dear Doctor (127mins)
7:30pm - Rinco's Restaurant

July 8, 2013
1:30pm - Castle under fiery skies
4:30pm - Confessions
7:30pm - KAMUI (119 mins)

July 9, 2013
1:30pm - Mai Mai Miracle
4:30pm -  ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street-
7:30pm - Parade

July 10, 2013
1:30pm - Furusato -Japan
4:30pm - About Her Brother
7:30pm - ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street- 2

July 11, 2013
1:30pm - ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street- 3
4:30pm - Rinco's Restaurant
7:30pm - Confessions

July 12, 2013
1:30pm - Castle under fiery skies
4:30pm - Parade
7:30pm - Dear Doctor

July 13, 2013
1:30pm - Mai Mai Miracle
4:30pm - ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street- 2
7:30pm - KAMUI

July 14, 2013
1:30pm -  ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street-
4:30pm - Rinco's Restaurant
7:30pm - ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street- 3

Contact Details:

For inquiries, please call (63 2) 370-2597 or (63 2) 370-2598.

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Schedule/Venue

Shangri-la Plaza Mall
Shangri-la Plaza Mall

Shaw Blvd. cor. EDSA
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

Thursday July 4, 2013 - Sunday July 14, 2013