Saturday 13 September 2014

My Thoughts On 2014 JFF’s National Program – Part 2

The rest of the national program for this year’s Japanese Film Festival in Australia includes quite a number of films that are potentially very good.

If you like hilarious comedies and don’t mind them being a little silly, Thermae Romae and its sequel Thermae Romae II are for you. Adapted from a manga and anime series, the films tells the story of a time-travelling Roman architect in modern day Japan.

Based on the children’s novel that inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s classic anime film of the same name, the live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service looks like fun for the whole family.

Sci-fi anime Patema Inverted explores an upside-down world where a curious princess falls into the sky. It should be an interesting film as it is from writer-director Yasuhiro Yoshiura, who made the wonderful Time Of Eve TV series and feature film (JFF 2010).  

Two of the films in the program are about real life people and their passion for their arts. One is Ask this of Rikyu, which is about the life a tea master; and the other is The God Of Ramen, a documentary about a celebrated chef.  

This year’s Closing Film in all cities except Sydney and Melbourne is A Tale of Samurai Cooking – A True Love Story. If you have seen A Boy And His Samurai (JFF 2011), you would know how nice it is to see a samurai preparing food. Not to mention that the foods in the film poster (shown above) look absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious.

So that’s all regarding the national program. For people living in Sydney and Melbourne, we have the extended program, which includes a different Closing Film, to look forward to. I will certainly be bringing you more coverage of the Festival as more news and films in the program are announced.  

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