There is no movie monster with a silhouette or bone-rattling roar quite as iconic as Godzilla, a gargantuan fire-breathing creature that stomped its way into Japanese cinemas back in 1954 – and never left.
The creature’s magnificent cinematic presence and poignancy as a symbol for a post-war Japan spawned an entirely original genre of film – aptly titled kaiju, or strange beast – and close to 40 spin-offs in the years that followed, including the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One last year.
It’s only right, then, to honour the 70th anniversary of the world’s longest running film franchise by looking back to where it all began – that is, the classic Godzilla film, restored in glorious 4K for the modern era.
Both the anniversary film and its modern award-winning prequel (which is making its Singapore premiere in IMAX) will serve as tent-pole films for the upcoming 2024 edition of the Japanese Film Festival, happening Sep 26 to Oct 20 at Shaw Lido, Oldham Theatre and The Projector (Cineleisure and Golden Mile).
After all, what better films to highlight the festival’s theme of Continuity, which celebrates the very best of the country’s cinematic traditions while looking forward to the exciting and the new.
Including both Godzillas, this year’s programme features a carefully curated roster of 31 films across seven programme segments.
These will be supported by post-screening Q&As led by the visionary auteurs themselves. Highlights include an appearance by the eccentric director Ishii Gakuryu after his film The Box Man, which reflects on societal interactions and the voyeuristic nature of cinema itself; as well as editor Okawa Keiko for the opening film All the Long Nights, a book adaptation featuring bickering colleagues that find kindred spirits in each other’s struggles.
The Box Man’s Ishii makes a return to present a masterclass exploring his own zany and influential filmography, though his presentation won’t be the only one to look forward to. Associate Professor Deborah Michelle Shamoon at National University of Singapore’s Department of Japanese Studies will also be taking to the stage to discuss Godzilla’s dual role as pop culture icon and profound cinematic statement for nuclear fears in a post-war Japan.
For tickets and the full programme schedule, visit jff.sg.
