RAd the music blog: Samurai Marathon leads the charge at the 22nd Eiga Sai

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Samurai Marathon leads the charge at the 22nd Eiga Sai

BREAKING:
Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are canceling screenings at SM City Naga and SM City Bacolod and shall transfer to SM City Legazpi and SM City Iloilo respectively. We will keep you posted on the new cinema assignment or any screening schedule changes.

The Japan Foundation, Manila presents the 22nd edition of the Eiga Sai, Japanese Film Festival with total of 17 contemporary Japanese films from various genres this July 3-August 25 happening in key cities in the country namely Manila, Pangasinan, Naga, Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban, and Davao.

The opening leg sees the return of the Eiga Sai to the Shangri-La Plaza with a selection of 14 films to be screened from July 3-14, 2019 at the Red Carpet. Opening the festival is the historical drama Samurai Marathon/サムライマラソン directed by Bernard Rose about the first ever Japanese marathon.

The rest of the films to be screened at the Shang include After the Storm/海よりもまだ深く and The Third Murder/三度目の殺人by director Kore-eda Hirokazu, The 8-Year Engagement/８年越しの花嫁　奇跡の実話, The Crimes That Bind/祈りの幕が下りる時, Kakegurui/賭ケグルイ, Laughing Under the Clouds/曇天に笑う, Lu Over the Wall/夜明け告げるルーのうた, Mirai/未来のミライ, Mixed Doubles/ミックス。, One Cut of the Dead/カメラを止めるな！, Perfect World/パーフェクトワールド　君といる奇跡, Yakiniku Dragon/焼肉ドラゴン, and The Tears of Malumpati/セカイイチオイシイ水　マロンパティの涙.

Three other films will have exclusive screenings with Shoplifters/万引き家族 to be shown at the Cine Adarna, UPFI, Lying to Mom/鈴木家の嘘at Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the closing film The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps/人魚の眠る家 at the Gateway Cineplex, Cubao.

IGA Kendo Club

Aside from the Eiga Sai film screenings, there will be other events, activities, and attractions happening at the Shang in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month this July. On July 5-7 and July 12-14, the Katana and Armour exhibits by Geisha's Blade Philippines Samurai Sword Shop featuring Japanese-style swords and samurai armor will be on view at the East Atrium. On July 6, Tsugaru shamisen player Keisho Ohno, known for his fusion of Japanese traditional music and rock ‘n roll on will perform at the Grand Atrium. At the East Atrium, sensei Tetsutaka Sugawara and the IGA Kendo Club will hold a demo of Japanese martial arts also on July 6. Interactive activities facilitated by the University of the Philippines' Tomo-Kai, Japanese market at the Main Wing, and Japanese inspired mall decor will be the other attractions at the Shang this July as well.

Keisho Ono

Here are the 17 films to be screened at the 22nd Eiga Sai.

Samurai Marathon/サムライマラソン

Director: Bernard Rose

Cast: Satoh Takeru, Komatsu Nana, Moriyama Mirai

Historical drama directed by Bernard Rose of Immortal Beloved and produced by Jeremy Thomas of The Last Emperor. Based on Dobashi Akihiro's novel Bakumatsu Marathon Samurai about the Ansei Tooashi, known as Japan's first marathon.

Annaka feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira (Hasegawa Hiroki) holds a run across mountain roads to get his samurai warriors into shape. However, the Bakufu central government views it as a rebellion and dispatches assassins to the castle. Meanwhile, Annaka domain accountant Karasawa Jinnai (Satoh Takeru) senses that something is amiss with the Bakufu.

The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps/人魚の眠る家

Director: Tsutumi Yukihio

Cast: Shinohara Ryoko, Nishijima Hidetoshi

In this mystery based on the novel by Into the White Night and Suspect X author, Higashino Keigo, a couple is confronted by a tragedy involving their beloved child and ultimately must make a difficult choice. Tsutsumi Yukihiko of Sanada 10 Braves and the TRICK series directs.

Kazumasa (Nishijima Hidetoshi) and Kaoruko (Shinohara Ryoko) are in a troubled marriage and have agreed to divorce once their daughter's elementary school entrance exams are over. However, just before they are to rehearse for the family oral interview, they are informed of their daughter drowning in a pool. Rushing to the hospital, Kazumasa and Kaoruko are met with a heartbreaking situation.

Shoplifters/万引き家族

Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu

Cast: Lily Franky, Ando Sakura, Matsuoka Mayu, Kiki Kilin

Drama interweaving emotional ties that transcend family, directed by The Third Murder's Kore-eda Hirokazu. Won the Palme d'Or in competition at the 71st Cannes International Film Festival.

Day-laborer father Shibata Osamu (Lily Franky) and his son Shota (Jyo Kairi) shoplift with brilliant teamwork. On the way home, they can't bear the sight of a girl shivering in the cold on the first floor of an apartment block and they end up taking her home. The Shibatas have been enjoying themselves, but then a certain incident exposes the family's secrets.

After the Storm/海よりもまだ深く

Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu

Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Maki Yoko, Kiki Kilin

Directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu, internationally renowned for films including Our Little Sister, this film was selected in the Un Certain Regard section at the 69th Cannes Film Festival. Dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author, Ryota (Abe Hiroshi) wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child support.

After the death of his father, his aging mother (Kiki Kilin) and beautiful ex-wife (Maki Yoko) seem to be moving on with their lives. Renewing contact with his initially distrusting family, Ryota struggles to take back control of his existence and to find a lasting place in the life of his young son (Yoshizawa Taiyo) - until a stormy summer night offers them a chance to truly bond again.

The Third Murder/三度目の殺人

Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu

Cast: Fukuyama Masaharu, Yakusho Koji, Hirose Suzu

Our Little Sister director Kore-eda Hirokazu turns his own original script into this psychological thriller. Making his first appearance in a Kore-eda film, Yakusho Koji co-stars with Fukuyama Masaharu, who reteams with Kore-eda for the first in four years since Like Father, Like Son.

Misumi (Yakusho), who had been previously convicted of murder, is once again indicted for killing and setting on fire the president of the company which laid him off. His lawyer, Shigemori (Fukuyama), begins investigating Misumi in order to file for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. However, as his investigation continues, an uncomfortable feeling slowly develops within Shigemori.

Lying to Mom/鈴木家の嘘

Director: Nojiri Katsumi

Cast: Kishibe Ittoku, Hara Hideko, Kiryu Mai, Kase Ryo, Kishimoto Kayoko, Omori Nao

A drama mixed with humor depicting a family attempting to recover from sorrow. Nojiri Katsumi, who worked as an assistant director on The Great Passage and The Lies She Loved among others makes his directorial debut from his own original script.

Without warning the Suzuki family's eldest son Koichi (Kase Ryo) one day takes his own life. The mother, Yuko (Hara Hideko), is so shocked she loses her memory. So for her sake, Yuko's husband Sachio (Kishibe Ittoku) and daughter Fumi (Kiryu Mai) decide to tell a once-in-a-lifetime lie.

The 8-Year Engagement/８年越しの花嫁　奇跡の実話

Director: Zeze Takahisa
Cast: Satoh Takeru, Tsuchiya Tao

Zeze Takahisa of Six Four directs this film adaptation of the non-fiction book 8 nen goshi no hanayome Kimi no me ga sametanara. Satoh Takeru of the Rurouni Kenshin series and Tsuchiya Tao of Orange star as the couple struggling with chronic illness.

Hisashi (Satoh) and Mai (Tsuchiya) are engaged to be married and are completely happy, but Mai falls ill three months before their wedding. She has a cardiac arrest and falls into a coma, and Hisashi prays for her recovery. Mai gradually regains consciousness, but then another challenge awaits her.

The Crimes That Bind/祈りの幕が下りる時

Director: Fukuzawa Katsuo
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Matsushima Nanako, Mizobata Junpei

Series finale for the feature film The Wings of the Kirin and TV drama Shinzanmono. Based on the novel by Higashino Keigo and directed by Fukuzawa Katsuo, who helmed the TV dramas NAOKI HANZAWA and Downtown Rocket.

A strangled female corpse is discovered in an apartment, and the apartment's resident has vanished. The investigation hits rough waters, but soon they learn about female theater director Asai (Matsushima Nanako). Detective Matsumiya (Mizobata Junpei) forges ahead with the investigation while questioning whether a charred corpse discovered in the vicinity is related to the case, but then Kaga (Abe Hiroshi) learns of a fact that leaves him stunned.

Kakegurui/賭ケグルイ

Director: Hanabusa Tsutomu

Cast: Hamabe Minami, Takasugi Mahiro, Ikeda Elaiza

Hyakkaoh Private Academy is a common elite school for the rich-except that it has a peculiar tradition: gambling skill is all it takes under the rigorous hierarchy and the student council oversees all gambling activities. A transfer student Yumeko Jabami, seemingly graceful but actually a "compulsive gambler" who finds pleasure in taking risks, gets entangled in the most intense gambling battles to win the position of student rep that whole school is vying for.

Laughing Under the Clouds/曇天に笑う

Director: Motohiro Katsuyuki

Cast: Fukushi Sota, Nakayama Yuma, Furukawa Yuki, Kiriyama Ren

Live action adaptation based on Karakarakemuri's popular comic, which has also been adapted as an animated feature film and TV anime series. Directed by Motohiro Katsuyuki of When the Curtain Rises and Ajin. Lead role played by Fukushi Sota of Strobe Edge and My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday.

Otsu in Shiga Prefecture after the Meiji Restoration. This is the year for the resurrection of the Orochi snake demon that wreaks havoc on mankind, which happens once every 300 years. The three Kumo brothers consist of the oldest son Kumo Tenka (Fukushi), who is in charge of the Kumo Shrine, followed by Soramaru (Nakayama Yuma) and Chutaro (Wakayama Kirato), and they rise up to block the snake demon.

Lu Over the Wall/夜明け告げるルーのうた

Director: Yuasa Masaaki
Cast: Tani Kanon, Shimoda Shouta, Shinohara Shinichi

The first, completely original theatrical film by director Yuasa Masaaki. This tale of the encounter and separation of a young boy and a young mermaid is composed of careful depictions of life and delicate emotional portrayals rendered through animation bursting with briskness and energy.

Middle school student Kai (voice:Shimoda Shouta) ends up in a declining fishing town as a result of his parents' divorce. Depressed, he is one day invited by a classmate to join their band. Kai reluctantly goes to the practice site on Mermaid Island where he meets Lu (voice:Tani Kanon), a young mermaid.

Mirai/未来のミライ

Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast: Kamishiraishi Moka, Kuroki Haru, Hoshino Gen

MIRAI is an animated feature film produced by Studio Chizu. The film is originally written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda who also directed The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast.

Kun (voice: Kamishiraishi Moka), a spoiled little boy, has a new baby sister. Ever since her arrival, he misses his parents' affection, and becomes jealous of her. Then one day, he encounters his sister Mirai (voice: Kuroki Haru) as a teenager, who came from the future, and embarks on a journey to know the story of his family and life.

Mixed Doubles/ミックス。

Director: Ishikawa Junichi
Cast: Arakagi Yui, Eita

Popular screenwriter, Kosawa Ryota, writes an original story depicting the rejuvenation of love and life through table tennis which is brought to screen by Ishikawa Junichi, director of April Fools.

Tamako (Aragaki Yui), who was once known as a "table tennis girl wonder", was in a relationship with (Seto Koji), the ace of her company's table tennis club, until another table tennis player, Airi (Nagano Mei), steals him away. Returning to her hometown, Tamako meets the members of the table tennis club her deceased mother operated, including Hagiwara (Eita), and together they begin practicing hard to defeat the pair of Eshima and Airi.

One Cut of the Dead/カメラを止めるな！

Director: Ueda Shinichiro

Cast: Hamatsu Takayuki, Mao, Shuhama Harumi, Nagaya Kazuaki

Unique horror film produced by ENBU Seminar Cinema Project. Became a social-phenomenon hit when the theatrical run exploded from two theaters in Tokyo to a wide-scale release in response to the peculiar structure including a thirty-seven-minute opening cut, despite using a no-name cast.

An indie film crew is shooting a zombie film in an abandoned building deep in the mountains. The uncompromising director (Hamatsu Takayuki) drives the production relentlessly and gets to fourty-two takes. Then, real zombies appear and attack the crew, but the director is thrilled and keeps the camera rolling.

Perfect World/パーフェクトワールド　君といる奇跡

Director: Shibayama Kenji
Cast: Iwata Takanori, Sugisaki Hana

The live-action adaptation of Aruga Rie's similarly titled manga depicting the romance between a protagonist left handicapped by an accident and the heroine who cares deeply for him. In the director's chair is Shibayama Kenji of Nagareboshi ga Kienai Uchini.

Architect Ayukawa Itsuki (Iwata Takanori) is left paralyzed from the waist down by a sudden accident and is confined to using a wheel chair. Kawana Tsugumi (Sugisaki Hana) works at an interior design company who one day runs into the senior she had a crush on during high school, Itsuki. Tsugumi is charmed by Itsuki and endeavors to optimistically live life together.

Yakiniku Dragon/焼肉ドラゴン

Director: Chong Wishing
Cast: MakiYoko, Inoue Mao, Oizumi Yo

Film adaptation of the play that has been honored with numerous theater awards. Warm portrayal of the joys and sorrows of a Korean family living in Japan, set in the Kansai region when Japan's economy was booming. Playwright Chong Wishing wrote the screenplay and makes his directorial debut with this film.

In 1970, the Kansai region is jubilant over the World Expo in Osaka. Ethnic Korean Yong-gil (Kim Sang-ho) runs a yakiniku barbecue restaurant in a squatter settlement on government property. With a wife, three daughters and one son, he lives with bravado but is gradually bombarded by the tides of the times.

The Tears of Malumpati/セカイイチオイシイ水　マロンパティの涙

Director: Meguro Keita

Cast: Tsuji Miyu, Akai Hidekazu, Arai Yusuke, Hanafusa Rie, Bong Cabrera, Sue Prado, Miel Espinoza

A heart warming drama based on a true story of the Pandan Water Pipeline Project where Japanese and Filipinos work together while overcoming various hardships.

Every year more than 1 million children die because they do not have access to clean drinking water. In Pandan, a rural village on the Panay Island, many people were suffering from kidney disease because they did not have access to clean drinking water. The project was started with the aim to solve this problem by building a 10 kilometer pipeline. Asuka (Tsuji Miyu), a college student, joins the project without giving it much thought when asked by a friend. After she arrives she quickly realizes that things are worse than she expected. The labor is intense because they have no funds and the local people are hostile against the Japanese. But amid the hardship, a five year old girl called Amy (Miel Espinoza) welcomes her kindly. The two become good friends through a picture book and Origami.

Here is the schedule of film screenings for the opening leg of the 22nd Eiga Sai at the Red Carpet Cinema 4, Shangri-La Plaza.

July 3, 2019 (Invitational)

7:00 PM Samurai Marathon

July 4, 2019

2:00 PM Laughing Under the Clouds

4:30 PM The 8-Year Engagement

7:00 PM Yakiniku Dragon

July 5, 2019

2:00 PM The Tears of Malumpati

4:30 PM After the Storm

7:00 PM The Third Murder

July 6, 2019

2:00 PM Lu Over the Wall

4:30 PM The 8-Year Engagement

8:30 PM Samurai Marathon (Cinema 3)

July 7, 2019

2:00 PM Mirai

4:30 PM Mixed Doubles

7:00 PM Laughing Under the Clouds

July 8, 2019

2:00 PM The Tears of Malumpati

4:30 PM The Crimes that Bind

7:00 PM Yakiniku Dragon

July 9, 2019

2:00 PM Perfect World

4:30 PM The 8-Year Engagement

7:00 PM The Tears of Malumpati

July 10, 2019

2:00 PM Mixed Doubles

4:30 PM Laughing Under the Clouds

7:00 PM Perfect World

July 11, 2019

2:00 PM The Tears of Malumpati

4:30 PM One Cut of the Dead

7:00 PM The Crimes that Bind

July 12, 2019

2:00 PM After the Storm

4:30 PM The Third Murder

7:00 PM Yakiniku Dragon

July 13, 2019

2:00 PM Mirai

4:30 PM Kakegurui

7:00 PM One Cut of the Dead

July 14, 2019

2:00 PM Perfect World

4:30 PM Lu Over the Wall

7:00 PM The 8-Year Engagement

After the opening leg, the 22nd Eiga Sai 2019 heads over to Robinson's Place Tacloban on July 18-21, 2019, SM City Legazpi on July 18-21, 2019, SM City Iloilo on July 25-28, 2019, Abreeza Mall Davao on August 1-4, 2019, Cultural Center of the Philippines on August 2-11, 2019, SM City Rosales, Pangasinan on August 8-11, 2019, Cine Adarna, UPFI on August 14-17, 2019, Ayala Center Cebu on August 15-18, 2019, and will finally wrap up at Gateway Cineplex, Cubao on August 22-25, 2019.

The Eiga Sai 2019 is presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila and is generously supported by Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Mall Cinemas, Cultural Center of the Philippines, SM Supermalls, SM City Bacolod, SM City Naga, SM City Rosales, Robinsons Movieworld Tacloban, UP Film Institute, Film Development Council of the Philippines, JT International (Philippines) Inc., Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. and Aruga by Rockwell.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Samurai Marathon leads the charge at the 22nd Eiga Sai

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