COMING SOON: Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme – Online Special

Japan Foundation presents its first ever online programme of 18 films around the theme This Is My Place (19 FEB to 10 MAR – FREE!).

By RADIANT CIRCUS

Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

For the first time ever, the UK’s largest festival dedicated to Japanese cinema, and one of our favourite Spring attractions on London’s alternative cinema scene – The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme – goes online. And in even better news, this special shutdown edition will be FREE!

There are 18 films streaming in an online season entitled This Is My Place. It’s about how, in the modern world, “our way of living has become diverse and more complicated than ever, establishing a solid grounding and a sense of belonging can be difficult to attain.”

The films range in flavour from comedies to crime themes, period dramas to films centring on LGBT issues, giving a flavour of what it might be like to dive into the Japanese multiplex.

The programme showcases voices from a diverse group of filmmakers, including internationally recognised directors as well as emerging talent, all representing different styles and forms.

For more information about the titles and screening dates, see the full film programme below.

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How to get involved…

To book for a film, you need to register for a FREE online account on the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme platform. Then, click on the Films menu and find the title you want to rent. Click on the title and follow the instructions to complete the rental. Numbers are limited. The films you have rented will appear in the ‘My Library’ section of your profile pull down menu in the top right (although they won’t be able to be seen until their actual screening window).

UPDATE 09/02/21: Many of the first screening dates are already sold out, so scroll right down to find the repeat viewing dates – some availability here – more tickets are promised!

Booking is FREE! Once booked for a film, you should start watching within 48 hours (or 72 hours in the case of LITTLE MISS PERIOD and EXTRO) from the stated screening date and time. If you do not, your ticket will expire.

Please note: Japan Foundation tells us that their films can’t be viewed using the Google Chrome browser. They recommend viewing on the Safari Browser for Mac OS or Edge for Windows.

FILM PROGRAMME

ONE NIGHT aka ひとよ

d. SHIRAISHI Kazuya, 2019, 123 min, English Subtitles

Fifteen years after a battered wife (TANAKA Yuko) murders her abusive alcoholic husband, she returns home having served her time. But will the now-adult children she sought to protect with her crime welcome the reunion?

MON 22 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

FRI 05 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

OUR 30-MINUTE SESSIONS aka サヨナラまでの30分

d. HAGIWARA Kentaro, 2020, 114 min, English Subtitles

The life of introverted college student Sota (KITAMURA Takumi) takes an unusual direction when he discovers a cassette tape of music made by Aki (ARATA Mackenyu), a musician who had tragically died the year before.

THU 25 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

WED 03 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SHAPE OF RED aka Red

d. MISHIMA Yukiko, 2020, 123 min, English Subtitles

At first glance, Toko (Kaho) leads an enviable life. But beneath the veneer of her picture-perfect life, Toko harbours a feeling of emptiness. Then, a chance encounter with a former lover, Kurata (TSUMABUKI Satoshi), awakens a deep longing in her.

FR 19 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SAT 06 MAR from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

MIYAMOTO aka 宮本から君へ

d. MARIKO Tetsuya, 2019, 129 min, English Subtitles

A quirky tale of high-octane love is told through the eyes of a hot-blooded stationary salesman, Miyamoto (IKEMATSU Sosuke), as he falls hard for Yasuko (AOI Yu) upon their introduction. Soon, however, his devotion is put to the test.

FRI 19 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

TUE 02 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

LITTLE MISS PERIOD aka 生理ちゃん

d. SHINADA Shunsuke, 2019, 75 min, English Subtitles

The bemoaned struggle of periods is personified in an obnoxiously large and blissfully unaware heart-shaped plush presence which pesters several women from different walks of life as they try to navigate their day-to-day trials in this light comedy.

THU 04 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 72 hour rental window

HARUKA’S POTTERY aka ハルカの陶

d. SUETSUGU Naruhito, 2019, 119 min, English Subtitles

Stagnating in an unfulfilling office job and unsure of what direction to take in life, Haruka (Nao) stumbles across an exhibition of traditional Bizen pottery. Mesmerised by its beauty, she travels to Japan’s Okayama Prefecture to become an apprentice at the kiln.

SAT 20 FEB from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

MON 08 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

NOT QUITE DEAD YET aka 度死んでみた

d. HAMAZAKI Shinji, 2020, 93 min, English Subtitles

Nanase (HIROSE Suzu) has a tumultuous relationship with her father (TSUTSUMI Shinichi), the president of a major pharmaceutical company. One day, while testing a drug which causes temporary death, her father becomes a ghost. Nanase must race against time to save his life and his company.

FRI 26 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SUN 07 MAR from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SOIREE aka ソワレ

d. SOTOYAMA Bunji, 2020, 111 min, English Subtitles

Brought together by an accidental crime they commit, an aspiring actor moonlighting as a con artist (MURAKAMI Nijiro) and an emotionally destitute woman (IMOU Haruko) mount an impromptu escape, running from their deed and their bleak lives. Will they find what they’re looking for?

FRI 26 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

THU 04 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

A GIRL MISSING aka よこがお

d. FUKADA Koji, 2019, 111 min, English Subtitles

The career and reputation Ichiko (TSUTSUI Mariko) has forged for herself while working long-term as a private nurse for the elderly matriarch of the Ohishi family hangs in the balance when one of the adolescent Ohishi daughters disappears and Ichiko is indirectly implicated…

WED 24 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

THU 04 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SAMURAI SHIFTERS aka 引っ越し大名!

d. INUDO Isshin, 2019, 120 min, English Subtitles

When a fiefdom is ordered to relocate its entire population by the shogunate, the unenviable task of administrating the move falls with Katagiri Harunosuke (HOSHINO Gen). Together with some friends, he must undertake the impossible task with no experience, little manpower, and even less funding.

TUE 23 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SAT 06 MAR from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

ME & MY BROTHER’S MISTRESS aka おろかもの

d. HAGA Takashi, SUZUKI Sho, 2019, 96 min, English Subtitles

After witnessing her brother (IWAGO Satoshi) having an affair, Yoko (KASAMATSU Nanami) tails and confronts the mistress, Misa (MURATA Yu). Paradoxically, she becomes convinced that Misa might be a better match for her brother. An unlikely alliance forms between the two women…

FRI 19 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

MON 01 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

A BELOVED WIFE aka 喜劇 愛妻物語

d. ADACHI Shin, 2019, 115 min, English Subtitles

Gota (HAMADA Gaku) is an unsuccessful screenwriter struggling to catch his big break. One day, despite strong resistance from his wife (MIZUKAWA Asami), Gota drags his family on an impromptu research trip in the hope that it will kick start his career and improve his ailing marriage.

WED 24 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

SUN 07 MAR from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

FAREWELL: COMEDY OF LIFE BEGINS WITH A LIE aka グッドバイ 嘘からはじまる人生喜劇

d. NARUSHIMA Izuru, 2019, 106 min, English Subtitles

Against the background of post-war era Japan, Shuji (OIZUMI Yo) is an editor-in-chief of a magazine who is a raging womaniser, juggling several girlfriends at a time. Resolving to break things off with all of them but unable to do so himself, he hires a fake wife to scare off the gaggle of women.

TUE 23 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

FRI 05 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

his aka his

d. IMAIZUMI Rikiya, 2020, 127 min, English Subtitles

Shun (MIYAZAWA Hio) leads a solitary life in the Japanese countryside, living in fear of being outed and shunned for being gay. That is until a former boyfriend (FUJIWARA Kisetsu) shows up at his doorstep out of the blue with a 6-year-old daughter in tow.

THU 25 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

MON 08 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

EXTRO aka エキストロ

d. MURAHASHI Naoki, 2019, 89 min, English Subtitles

A mockumentary focusing on aged extra HAGINOYA Kozo (himself), as he reveals his aspirations to follow in the footsteps of his idol Steve McQueen and unintentionally causes mischief on set. An assortment of celebrity cameos includes the late OBAYASHI Nobuhiko.

FRI 26 FEB from 18:00 (GMT)
– 72 hour rental window

MRS NOISY aka ミセス・ノイズィ

d. AMANO Chihiro, 2019, 106 min, English Subtitles

Novelist Maki (SHINOHARA Yukiko) moves into a new apartment hoping it’s the change she needs to get herself out of her writing slump. However, her neighbour’s incessant beating of the futons keeps breaking her focus. A confrontation ensues that snowballs into a fight which gets caught on camera.

SAT 20 FEB from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

MON 08 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

LABYRINTH OF CINEMA aka 海辺の映画館 -キネマの玉手箱-

d. OBAYASHI Nobuhiko, 2019, 179 min, English Subtitles

A group of youngsters gathered at a cinema marathon find themselves transported into the worlds beyond the silver screen. As they tumble into the realms of film after film, they are forced into an oppressively colourful journey through Japan’s social and cinematic history of war.

SAT 27 FEB from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

FRI 5 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

HELLO WORLD

d. ITO Tomohiko, 2019, 98 min, English Subtitles

Kyoto, 2027. Bookish high-schooler Naomi (voiced by KITAMURA Takumi) meets a mysterious man who claims to be his future self. The visitor also delivers a world-shattering revelation – young Naomi’s reality is nothing more than a virtual simulation of the past and he has come to alter it.

SAT 20 FEB from 10:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

MON 01 MAR from 18:00 (GMT)
– 48 hour rental window

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*THE SMALL PRINT: Opinions author’s own. // As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version only. // Event dates/times/formats are subject to change by the venue/organiser. Events may already be sold out at the time of posting, so please click quickly. // We try to list as many original format screenings as we can (8 to 70MM), but sometimes formats change due to age of the print, availability, logistics etc, so please check ahead with your venue if the format is your thing. // All images are used in the spirit of fair use for reporting & review – no ownership is implied or intended / unless otherwise credited to RADIANT CIRCUS as the original rights holder. We will remove any images immediately upon request – just get in touch. // We don’t filter our listings by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should therefore be 18+. // Finally, we always try to follow The Carny Code by “not screwing up anyone else’s game”, but everyone can make mistakes… If something does go wrong, we will always do our best to put it right. //.