Japanese Film Festival in Abu Dhabi
Fans of Japanese movies in the UAE rejoice! The Japanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi is organising a film festival on 29th and 30th September. All screenings will be at the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi (Phone: +9712 621 5300 and location map). Admission is free.
Wednesday, 29th September at 5.00pm
Mura no Shashinshu (The Village Album) by Mitsuhiro Mihara
The small village of Hanatani does not have long. A large construction project in the area will soon commence, to build a dam in a nearby valley. The village must be evacuated before it is completely submerged. Kenchi is a photographer, and runs a small photo studio in the village. His son also works professionally as a photographer in Tokyo, and together they are asked to put together a photo album of the village. Putting aside personal issues and long-lasting feuds, Kenchi and Takashi start visiting every family in the village and the surrounding areas, taking photos that will preserve at least a memory of the village.
Wednesday, 29th September - 7.30pm
Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai) by Yoji Yamada
Seibei Iguchi is a low-ranking samurai living in the fading days of the Shogun period in Japan. His wife has died of tuberculosis, and with two daughters and an elderly mother to support, he and his family must survive in austerity. But when news of his sword-fighting prowess gets out, his superiors order him on a dangerous mission: kill a renowned warrior who is on the wrong side of a clan power struggle.
Thursday, 30th September - 5.00pm
Kappa no Kwi to Natsuyasumi (Summer Days with Coo) by Keiichi Hara
A small, lone Kappa miraculously survives over 200 years into modern day Tokyo, Japan when he is found by young Koichi. "Coo" who is secretly adopted by the whole family, faces a tragic past and the present's challenge of living in a dramatically changed environment, searches with his new human friend for places not invaded by people hoping to find any remaining of his kind. When this intelligent "water sprite" draws the popular attention of the whole city upon being discovered and then confronted with his past, it forces him to take action and make an ultimate decision, in order to preserve his kind, inner peace and well being in today's harsh world.
Thursday, 30th September - 7.30pm
Bushi no Ichibun (Love and Honour) by Yoji Yamada
Shinnojo Mimura is a samurai sharing a hand-to-mouth existence with his beautiful wife, Kayo. Frustrated by his lowly status within the castle ranks, Shinnojo dreams of better days instructing children in the way of the sword. But destiny, it would seem, has other plans… A freak accident takes the warrior’s sight, leaving Shinnojo cursed. Losing his status and pride, his hopes and dreams, and even himself to this life of eternal darkness, only one path lies open for Shinnojo: That of the true and noble samurai.
(Thanks Butheina HK)
