Image adapted from: (C)Fuji Television, Toho, Dentsu, Altamira Pictures
Hitting play on a Japanese movie is a ticket to beautiful cinematography, emotional storylines, and subtle acting – stuff you rarely see in the blockbusters that fill local cineplexes. Whether you’re a Japanophile or someone looking for an alternative movie-going experience, head to the National Museum of Singapore from 2nd to 18th March 2018 for the Japanese Film Festival, and be culturally enriched by the 16 films featured – for just $13/film.
We’ve sussed out 5 films, each from a different genre, that you can catch at this fest.
Summary: The Suzukis are an ordinary family of four living in Tokyo. One morning, they wake up to find that all their electrical devices aren’t working. In an attempt to escape the crisis, the family leaves Tokyo but their over-reliance on technology results in hilarious hijinks.
Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi
Rating: PG
Runtime: 117 min
Showtime: Fri, 2nd Mar 2018 @ 8PM
*Survival Family ticket holders can attend the Japan Film Festival opening ceremony. The film’s director will be in attendance and there will be a post-screening Q&A.
Summary: 27-year-old Kaizaki Arata is unemployed after quitting his job in just 5 months. One day, a mysterious man invites him to participate in a social reintegration program called ReLIFE that involves taking medicine that will make him look 10 years younger, and living as a high school student for a year. Based on the hit manga that’s sold over 1 million copies, with its own anime adaptation.
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG
Runtime: 120 mins
Showtimes: Sun, 4th Mar 2018 @ 2PM | Wed, 14th Mar 2018 @ 8PM
Summary: A man named Sonezaki Masato publicly confesses to 5 gruesome murders from 22 years ago. However, the police can’t arrest him due to a loophole in the law. Sonezaki then publishes a memoir about the murders he committed, charms the public, and becomes a celebrity. But this is just the beginning of his master plan.
Genre: Thriller
Rating: NC16
Runtime: 118 mins
Showtimes: Sat, 3rd Mar 2018 @ 8PM | Mon, 12th Mar 2018 @ 8PM
Summary: The animated film follows the adventures of a suburban “indoor kitten” named Rudolf, who’s always longed to roam the streets of his neighborhood. However, when his owner accidentally abandons him in an unfamiliar big city, Rudolf must team up with a street cat called Gottalot in order to find his way back home.
Genre: Animated, Adventure
Rating: PG
Runtime: 89 mins
Showtimes: Sat, 3rd Mar 2018 @ 2:30PM | Sun, 18th Mar 2018 @ 2:30PM
Summary: When Futaba abruptly receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness, she aims to use the brief amount of time she has left to bring back her husband, restart the family’s shut-down bath-house business, and set her daughter on the path to independence. This critically-acclaimed film has won multiple awards and was selected as Japan’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Runtime: 125 mins
Showtimes: Sun, 11th Mar 2018 @ 5PM | Fri, 16th Mar 2018 @ 8PM
Image credit: (C)2017 “Memoirs of a Murderer” Film Partners
Despite what Ghibli films might have you believing, the best Japanese films aren’t necessarily animated. Just head to the Japanese Film Festival and discover sugoi films worth the price of admission like the one with a celebrity murderer or the one where the world runs out of electricity.
The festival runs from 2nd to 18th March 2018 at the National Museum of Singapore, and will feature 16 films, all subbed in English. So if you’re down for a change-up from the standard weekend movie fare, be sure to head here!
Japanese Film Festival 2018
Date: 2nd – 18th March 2018 (Closed on 6th – 8th March & 15th March 2018)
Venue: Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Website
This post was brought to you by Japanese Film Festival.
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