Regardless you are a film enthusiast or not, why not experience the Japanese cinema from July 2 to 12, as this year's Philippines-Japan Friendship Month formally opens with the Eiga Sai (Japanese Film Festival) '09.
Co-presented by Japan Foundation Manila (JFM), Shangri-La Plaza and UP Film Institute, and co-organized by the Embassy of Japan, this year's Eiga Sai will showcase eight films from different genres mirroring different social, cultural and psychological aspects of the people and society of Japan.
The select lineup of films for Eiga Sai'09 namely, “Always – Sunset on Third Street,” “Tony Takitani,” “Turn Over,” “Mind Game,” “Kamome Diner,” “Memories of Tomorrow,” “The Milkwoman” and “Memories of Matsuko” garnered positive media appraisal and attracted much attention of Japanese viewers when they first came out in Japan.
An invitational screening will be held on July 2 (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall Cinema 3. From July 3 to July 12, the movies will be open to the general public with admission free.
In addition to the shows at Shangri-La Mall Cinema 3, Eiga Sai'09 films will also be shown at various locations in the country such as: Gaisano South City Mall Davao City Cinema (July 18-19), Ayala Center Cebu Cinema 4 (July 28 to August 2), Baguio Center Mall (August 7-11) and the UP Film Institute (August 14-20). All the screenings are open to the public and free of charge.
Furthermore, on July 25, short classic animes produced during the budding period of Japanese animation (between the 1920s and 1950s) will be shown at the Market! Market! Activity Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to coincide with the J-Pop Anime Singing Competition Grand Finale.
For detailed film screening schedules, please visit the JFM website at http://www.jfmo.org.ph .
Other activities and events will be presented in line with the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month Celebration as well. For a complete schedule of events and activities, please visit the Embassy of Japan website at http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp or the JFM website.
