| Aziz Idris |
FILM is a medium that enables people to understand different cultures through powerful storytelling and visual techniques.
In view of this, the Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam and the Japan Foundation launched the inaugural Japanese Film Festival at The Arena Cineplex, Seri Qlap Mall on Wednesday night.
The week-long festival will feature the screening of seven award-winning Japanese films free to the public from February 22-28, with the earliest show beginning at 7.30pm.
“We are very pleased to have organised this film festival in such a welcoming atmosphere with so many Bruneians expressing an interest in Japanese culture,” said Motohiko Kato, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam, in his welcoming speech at the launch on Wednesday night.
“There are a variety of wonderful films being screened over the course of the festival, including both anime and live-action dramas. I hope that they will provide you with insight into Japanese thinking and customs, so you can better understand our way of life.”
Meanwhile, Masafumi Kanomi, Senior Project Manager of Film and Broadcast Media at the Japan Foundation, shared that the foundation has launched ‘The Japanese Film Festival: Asia Pacific Gateway Initiative’ with the aim of creating more opportunities for people to enjoy Japanese films.
“This year Brunei has been included for the first time in this initiative along with 12 other countries including Australia, China, India and Asean member states,” Kanomi added.
To mark the launching, the film ‘Chihayafuru Part 1’ – directed by Koizumi Nori – was screened to a full house audience on Wednesday night.
Other films to be screened during the festival include ‘Chihayafuru Part 2’ – also directed by Nori; ‘Her Love Boils Bath Water’, directed by Nakano Ryoto; ‘Rudolf the Black Cat’, directed by Yuyuma Kunichiko and Sakakibara Montori; ‘ReLIFE’, directed by Furusawa Takeshi; ‘Honnouji Hotel’, directed by Suzuki Masayuki; and ‘The Mohican Comes Home’, directed by Okita Shuichi.
All films will be screened in the Japanese language with English subtitles.
The free tickets will be made available to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis from 5pm-6.30pm daily at the cinema.
Also present were representatives from related government bodies, alumni from Brunei-Japan associations, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the media and bloggers, as well as local filmmakers.
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