Starting today on Feb 14, Japanese Film Festival 2022 to virtually showcase 20 movies globally including India

NEW DELHI: From today onwards, the Indian audience is all set to enjoy a series of marquee Japanese movies from the comfort of their homes and free-of-cost as the Japan Foundation is all set to roll out the Japanese Film Festival Online 2022 (#JFFOnline2022) across the world including in India on February 14 in virtual mode.

The fifth edition of this annual film event will screen 20 globally popular Japanese movies of varied genres and styles in 25 countries including India, South Korea, Nepal, and others during the 2-week extravaganza that ends on February 27.

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, this festival will focus on its diverse line-up of acclaimed, highest-grossing, and award-winning films. The films will carry English subtitles for the viewer’s convenience.

Commenting on the announcement, Koji Sato, Director General, Japan Foundation New Delhi said, ‘’The popularity of Japanese content has been distinctly growing in the Indian landscape which has been further fueled by an increase in online content consumption in the current scenario. It was a difficult decision to make but keeping fans’ safety utmost, the virtual platform will help us reach a wider audience base. We are confident the festival will be successful and bigger with the online platform and our dear audience will be able to experience the same magic and energy as ever before.’’

Most of the movies selected were released between 2008 and 2021 in Japan but the RASHOMON by director Akira Kurosawa is the oldest movie on the list as it was released in 1950.

The JFF 2022 happens to be the second event in a row that is being organised in virtual mode as last year too, the Japan Foundation had to launch it online because of the pandemic.

The list of films includes some big hits in theaters in Japan in 2021 such as Under the Open Sky, Aristocrats, and It’s a Summer Film!.

In addition, documentaries that depict elements of Japanese culture, like SUMODO-The Successors of Samurai – and The God of Ramen, have been selected.

Two animated films from director Yasuhiro Yoshiura, Time of EVE the Movie and Patema Inverted, will be featured in addition to a timeless classic which opened the door for Japanese cinema to reach the rest of the world, Akira Kurosawa’s RASHOMON.

During the festival, interviews and talk sessions with directors and cast members, as well a variety of events in each participating country are planned.

Summary

Event: JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE 2022

Organizer: The Japan Foundation

Co-organizers: Japanese Embassy

Schedule: February 14, 2022 to February 27, 20221

Streaming Titles: 20 films

Streaming Platform: JFF+ Youtube channel 

https://jff.jpf.go.jp/jffonline2022/

Fee: Free (User registration is required before viewing)

While last year’s festival was an ambitious first attempt, the 2022 festival aims to share Japanese cinema with the world on a scale never before achieved.

The Japan Foundation is Japan’s only institution dedicated to carrying out comprehensive international cultural exchange programs throughout the world.

In a message addressed to the audience across the world, Masafumi Konomi, JFF Producer said, “Due to the current pandemic, many people around the world are grappling with feelings of pain, sadness, and isolation. In these times, our hope is that this film festival can provide even some small sense of relief, and help people to live with a positive outlook on the future. For this year’s festival, we have selected 20 films, from new releases to classics, which fit with the theme.”

“Scenic beauty across the seasons, visually stunning and vividly colorful Japanese food, the changing of society from traditional to modern, and fantastic worlds which transcend space and time… our hope is that by experiencing these various worlds within Japan, viewers will feel refreshed and whether this festival gives many people or even just one person the dream to one day visit Japan, then I will be very happy,” he added.

List of Countries where the movies are being showcased include South Korea, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Italy, Spain, Germany, Hungary, and Egypt.

Subtitle Languages are available in 15 languages including Arabic, Burmese, Central Khmer, English, German, Hungarian, Korean, Indonesian, Italian, Malay, Portuguese, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Thai, and Vietnamese.