An intense Kendo demonstration, rocking shamisen music, a film where villagers ran for their lives, and a return to the Shangri-La Plaza marked the opening of the 22nd Eiga Sai, Japanese Film Festival presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila.
True to tradition, Eiga Sai at the Shang is always more than just the Japanese film screenings at the Red Carpet. There are other events at attractions as well in line with the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month celebrations and there were previews of them during the opening night of the 22nd Eiga Sai like a kendo demonstration by the IGA Kendo Club.
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| IGA Kendo Club |
The opening night also featured a performance by shamisen player Keisho Ohno combining the traditional (instrument) with the modern (rock music).
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| Shamisen player Keisho Oho |
A highly popular attraction this time around is an exhibit by Geisha's Blade Philippines Samurai Sword Shop with Samurai katana and armor on display.
The film screenings at the Red Carpet might have ended but the exhibit and other attractions still go on until the end of July. The films have started its nationwide tour before heading back to Manila towards the end of August.
Samurai Marathon
Directed by Bernard Rose, Samurai Marathon is a historical drama based on Dobashi Akihiro's novel Bakumatsu Marathon Samurai which is about the Ansei Tooashi, the first marathon in Japan.
The arrival of the Americans in Japan has threatened Annaka feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira (Hiroki Hasegawa). To whip his samurai warriors back into shape just in case of an invasion, he orders them to run a marathon. But Karasawa Jinnai (Satoh Takeru), an undercover ninja in their midst mistakenly reports to the Bafuku central government that Annaka is plotting a rebellion. The simple training exercise has turned into a deadly race for their lives and Jinnai's loyalty will be tested.
Samurai Marathon is a different take on a Japanese period film, through the perspective of a western director. It holds no punches right from the start with the comic portrayal of the Americans who sailed to the Japanese shores. And he spared no subtlety in depicting the gore in a few scenes.
The film offered genuine surprises especially when it was revealed how much have the ninjas truly infiltrated Annaka without anyone knowing. The race and its impending outcome kept viewers on the edge of their seats. It made me wonder how historically accurate the role of the Princess Yuki (Nana Komatsu) in all of this. Even her servants acting out as secret guards sparked my curiosity if this was indeed true or was just added to increase the female presence in this otherwise male dominated film.
Noteworthy also is the Philip Glass score which is oddly reminiscent of his work in Mishima. Unfortunately, information about the soundtrack is rare and it is uncertain if Philip Glass has released any other music based on this score.
The film offered genuine surprises especially when it was revealed how much have the ninjas truly infiltrated Annaka without anyone knowing. The race and its impending outcome kept viewers on the edge of their seats. It made me wonder how historically accurate the role of the Princess Yuki (Nana Komatsu) in all of this. Even her servants acting out as secret guards sparked my curiosity if this was indeed true or was just added to increase the female presence in this otherwise male dominated film.
Noteworthy also is the Philip Glass score which is oddly reminiscent of his work in Mishima. Unfortunately, information about the soundtrack is rare and it is uncertain if Philip Glass has released any other music based on this score.
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