After its postponement from Feb this year, the Japanese Film Festival 2020 (JFF) is finally back. Taking place from Dec 10-20, moviegoers can expect a hybrid festival with both physical and virtual screenings.
Particularly apt is the festival’s tagline, ‘The Closest You Can Get To Japan in 2020′, since all of us in Singapore are craving for an overseas holiday. JFF 2020 consists of 28 titles curated in four sections, some of which will also be available for viewing online.
There’s Panorama comprising eight Japanese films that’ll be shown at Shaw Theatres Lido; Indie with 11 titles from the Japanese independent film scene (selected titles to be screened physically and virtually; Shorts with a selection of seven short films from the the Tokyo Short Shorts Festival; and The Projector Showcase featuring two Kurosawa Noir titles.
Bento Harassment
Opening film Bento Harassment is a worthy choice, a quirky film that showcases the complex relationship between single mother Kaori and her rebellious teenage daughter. Frustrated at the change in her daughter as she hits high school, Kaori decides to take measures to communicate with her daughter in a unique way—she creates messages in her bento meals, with a side of revenge.
My Dad Is A Heel Wrestler
Other films at JFF include My Dad Is A Heel Wrestler, a heartwarming dramedy about a former top pro wrestler trying to reclaim a bond with both the public and his son; and Mrs Noisy, a film that begins with a small quarrel between neighbours but eventually escalates with unexpected consequences.
Along with the screenings, there is also a line-up of directors who will be participating in Zoom Q&As. Chat with Bento Harassment’s director Renpei Tsukamoto and other directors of the featured films—it’s a rare opportunity for fans to interact with them and ask questions. No worries about the language barrier, as there will be interpreters to translate between Japanese and English. The best part is that tickets for all Zoom sessions are free and open to all via its Peatix page.
The Sound Design Masterclass by Singapore-based sound design veteran Kazz Sato will be an eye-opener for anyone interested in audio development and how sound plays a crucial role in films.
Visit the official JFF site for more information. Tickets can be bought here.
