JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2016
press release by Jennifer Zaman
WEBSITE
INTERVIEW WITH ANN MARGARETT CORTEZ
Arts and Culture Program Coordinator of Japan Foundation (Sydney)
JZ. What is the underlying essence of Japanese movie making? How successful are the modern films in promoting Japanese culture and traditions?
MC: Contemporary Japanese films are a great source of finding out current youth culture in Japan, with a lot of them based on best-selling comic books or novels. We always find films that revolve around tradition as well, whether they’re set in the present or set in the past (period films called jidaigeki). I wouldn’t be well equipped to answer what the underlying essence of Japanese movie making is as I’m not a filmmaker myself. It also has a long tradition, with Japanese filmmakers being active since before the Second World War—they’ve been influenced throughout history by everything from Italian neo-realism to Hollywood blockbusters.
WEBSITE
INTERVIEW WITH ANN MARGARETT CORTEZ
Arts and Culture Program Coordinator of Japan Foundation (Sydney)
JZ. What is the underlying essence of Japanese movie making? How successful are the modern films in promoting Japanese culture and traditions?
MC: Contemporary Japanese films are a great source of finding out current youth culture in Japan, with a lot of them based on best-selling comic books or novels. We always find films that revolve around tradition as well, whether they’re set in the present or set in the past (period films called jidaigeki). I wouldn’t be well equipped to answer what the underlying essence of Japanese movie making is as I’m not a filmmaker myself. It also has a long tradition, with Japanese filmmakers being active since before the Second World War—they’ve been influenced throughout history by everything from Italian neo-realism to Hollywood blockbusters.
JZ. On what parameters were the movies for JFF 2016 selected?
MC: JFF has audiences across the board, from all ages and different backgrounds. All the films have to be at most 18 months old, that’s a must condition. After that, we curate the program to offer something from every genre and to include different types from auteur films, independent films and mainstream films.
MC: JFF has audiences across the board, from all ages and different backgrounds. All the films have to be at most 18 months old, that’s a must condition. After that, we curate the program to offer something from every genre and to include different types from auteur films, independent films and mainstream films.
JZ: What kind of response are you expecting from the movie lovers in Australia?
MC: There’s something for everybody at the Japanese Film Festival and we’re sure that both fans of Japanese culture and fans of foreign films will find films that showcase different sides of Japan. We’d like to receive a whole range of responses, from delighted to shocked to enlightened.
MC: There’s something for everybody at the Japanese Film Festival and we’re sure that both fans of Japanese culture and fans of foreign films will find films that showcase different sides of Japan. We’d like to receive a whole range of responses, from delighted to shocked to enlightened.
JZ. Where does Japanese film industry sit in comparison to their Asian and Western counterparts?
MC: The Japanese film industry is definitely one of the most prolific Asian film industries in terms of producing feature films, mostly made for local consumption. However, over the past 5 years we’ve seen a considerable rise in the number of Japanese titles in the international film festival circuits. Although compared to Hollywood, Japan is still producing far less films.
MC: The Japanese film industry is definitely one of the most prolific Asian film industries in terms of producing feature films, mostly made for local consumption. However, over the past 5 years we’ve seen a considerable rise in the number of Japanese titles in the international film festival circuits. Although compared to Hollywood, Japan is still producing far less films.
JFF MOVIE REVIEW: Kampai! For the Love of Sake (カンパイ! 世界が恋する日本酒)
by Jennifer Zaman
A documentary dedicated to the history and culture of Japan's traditional drink Sake;a kind of wine made by fermenting rice. Several Asian regions/ tribes brew their own form of rice liqour, however, Japan has succesfully established itself as a brand on the global wine table. Over the past few years this alcoholic beverage has gained popularity among wine lovers around the world and many have undertaken extensive research to unfold the untold stories about the origins and essentials that make Sakeirresistible.
In order to quench the thirst for research and to appease curiosity, many a Japanese and non-Japanese have devoted decades working for Sake brewing factories and discovering novice methods of creating variations of this tantalising drink.
This documentary is focused on the memorable journeys Sake lovers made through out and who's work contributed in granting the significance that this drink has attained in modern times.
In order to quench the thirst for research and to appease curiosity, many a Japanese and non-Japanese have devoted decades working for Sake brewing factories and discovering novice methods of creating variations of this tantalising drink.
This documentary is focused on the memorable journeys Sake lovers made through out and who's work contributed in granting the significance that this drink has attained in modern times.
JFF MOVIE REVIEW: My Korean Teacher (いきなり先生になったボクが彼女に恋を
by Natasha Marchev
As Korrean origin Young Ung (Yesung) has lost his job when the company selling dodgy ging-seng he worked in shut down and got bankrupt while Young was on a business trip in Osaka (Japan) and as the same day he was dumped by his girlfriend who changed him so easily for a richer man he had no place to go nor money to maintain his life.
An accident or perhaps a coincident of pure luck took place in the park where Young was siting on the bench in tears complaining out loudly in Korean language. He was noticed by the director of the Language school who just lost one of his teaches and who happily employs Young to the college and gets him a place to stay in. This is when the real adventures starts for the young man. he falls in love with his student and he got everything back: good job and now the gorgeous girl. His new love, Sakura (Nozomi Sasaki) is a single mother and works for a travel agency. She needs to learn Korean for her job. Meeting with Young is also a sign of faith while she learns Korean language institute, Sakura meets Young-Ung and their romance begins.... but wait... as nothing good comes to your life that easily...
There are obstacles that the couple has to overcome in order to be together and they may be not strong enough to take it all. Will the fortune be on their side and they stay together?.. This is for you to find out.
What I liked about this film: the pace and the sense of humor as I generally love good romantic comedies. The music was amazing and suited every single episode of the movie. I believe this film will be very attractive to the young viewers too as they find lots of connections to their own life journey in it and will be very pleased with the well selected cast.
An accident or perhaps a coincident of pure luck took place in the park where Young was siting on the bench in tears complaining out loudly in Korean language. He was noticed by the director of the Language school who just lost one of his teaches and who happily employs Young to the college and gets him a place to stay in. This is when the real adventures starts for the young man. he falls in love with his student and he got everything back: good job and now the gorgeous girl. His new love, Sakura (Nozomi Sasaki) is a single mother and works for a travel agency. She needs to learn Korean for her job. Meeting with Young is also a sign of faith while she learns Korean language institute, Sakura meets Young-Ung and their romance begins.... but wait... as nothing good comes to your life that easily...
There are obstacles that the couple has to overcome in order to be together and they may be not strong enough to take it all. Will the fortune be on their side and they stay together?.. This is for you to find out.
What I liked about this film: the pace and the sense of humor as I generally love good romantic comedies. The music was amazing and suited every single episode of the movie. I believe this film will be very attractive to the young viewers too as they find lots of connections to their own life journey in it and will be very pleased with the well selected cast.
LINKS and CREDITS
Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Online Magazine expresses its special thanks to Japanese Film Festival marketing management team, Japan Foundation Sydney and personally to Margarett Cortez and to Kabuku PR and personally to Marissa Giannone for the opportunity and to Jennifer Zaman for the film review.
Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Online Magazine expresses its special thanks to Japanese Film Festival marketing management team, Japan Foundation Sydney and personally to Margarett Cortez and to Kabuku PR and personally to Marissa Giannone for the opportunity and to Jennifer Zaman for the film review.
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