Words develop a life of their own. Once a person releases them into the world, they travel far and wide and can change form depending upon the person interpreting them. This is why you should be careful with what you say and what you write. This something that a writer neglects to remember much to her cost in Mrs. Noisy, a domestic comedy that turns into heart-breaking drama by way of literary struggle.
Inspired by real-life events from 2005, the film follows a conflict between two neighbours in a danchi (housing complex).
This is the follow-up to yesterday’s trailer post. Not much news from me other than I will be recording another episode of Heroic Purgatory tonight! It’ll cover a Hong Kong comedy via Stephen Chow!
The state of emergency in Japan continues to grind on as the government struggles to control Covid-19. It has been extended until the end of June. Rules have been relaxed for some business and cinemas will be able to open but with reduced hours.
Looks like all the efforts have gotten the word 映画館 in main news headlines. 👏 Under the extended emerg. declaration (June 1-20) Tokyo cinemas will be allowed to operate under shorter hours rather than be shut altogether 👏 👏 https://t.co/AvTzY36NH9
I watched the films And Soon the Darkness, Natural Born Killers, Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwelllers, and Takeshi Kitano’s A Scene at the Sea and Kids Return. The Heroic Purgatory podcast also launched its latest episode which is dedicated to Kitano’s HANA-BI. I had fun revisiting the director’s works and interesting talking about interpretations.
What is released this weekend? This is a two-part trailer post so come back tomorrow for more!
Nippon Connection (June 01st – 06th) is running online for its 2021 edition. This year’s selection of animated films is small but contains some good titles. It’s difficult to programme an online festival because some film distributors/reps require theatrical distribution so a big hit like the Demon Slayer movie is unlikely. It has also been a slow year for mainstream Japanese animation compared to the 2016-2019 period. Check out the films released every weekend and you fill only find a handful of original titles that stand out amidst re-cuts and continuations of TV anime and re-releases of modern classics. It’s a small pool to choose from.
On the other hand, universities are producing highly talented animators and, as always, Nippon Connection have this covered. I’ve seen quite a few as part of my work on an animation festival so I can recommend these programmes. All are region-locked.
This post summarises all of the anime and animation that will be available to view. It’s the follow-up and last of the Nippon Connection highlight posts, following a look at Nippon Visions, Nippon Cinema, and Nippon Docs.
To find out more about the films, click on the titles.
This post is an offshoot from the one published earlier this week and it focuses on all of the documentaries that will be screened. Most of these documentaries are restricted to Germany but two are available for many territories worldwide. Check the descriptions.
The documentary films in this year’s NIPPON DOCS section offer insights into various topics: sports and cults, ways of living and the desperate desire to live free. The film are done with different formal approaches, from experimental narrations, ethnographies, and political diatribes caught on hidden cameras. They interconnect with cautious biographical observations to paint a picture of contemporary Japan. All films in this section are eligible for the NIPPON DOCS AWARD.
The 21st Nippon Connection will take place from June 01st to the 06th and there is a roster of 80 films that will be screened online. On top of that, there will be talk sessions with directors and over 40 interactive workshops, talks, performances, and concerts.
The complete program as well as tickets for all films and events were made available on May 22md on the website NipponConnection.com and the films can be accessed from June 1st on Watch.NipponConnection.com – whether a film can be streamed in your region or not can be discovered via here. One film costs 6€ / £5 and can be viewed within 24 hours of it being started. Some titles will be region-locked while others are available to stream worldwide.
This post covers NIPPON VISIONS. Click on the titles to be taken to the corresponding Nippon Connection page which has details on dates and times.
The 21st Nippon Connection will take place from June 01st to the 06th and there is a roster of 80 films that will be screened online. On top of that, there will be talk sessions with directors and over 40 interactive workshops, talks, performances, and concerts.
The complete program as well as tickets for all films and events were made available on May 22md on the website NipponConnection.com. The films can be accessed from June 1st on Watch.NipponConnection.com. Some titles will be region-locked while others are available to stream worldwide. Whether a film can be streamed in your region or not can be discovered there. One film costs 6€ / £5 and can be viewed within 24 hours of it being started.
This post concentrates on all of the titles playing in the Nippon Cinema section. It follows on from a highlight post which gives an overview of the festival and some of the films I recommend.
Click on the titles to be taken to the corresponding Nippon Connection page which has details on dates and times.
The 21st Nippon Connection will take place from June 01st to the 06th and there is a roster of 80 films that will be screened online. On top of that, there will be talk sessions with directors and over 40 interactive workshops, talks, performances, and concerts.
The complete program as well as tickets for all films and events were made available on May 22nd on the website NipponConnection.com and the films can be accessed from June 1st on Watch.NipponConnection.com – whether a film can be streamed in your region or not can be discovered via here. One film costs 6€ / £5 and can be viewed within 24 hours of it being started. Some titles will be region-locked while others are available to stream worldwide.
This is a highlight post which gives an overview of the festival and some of the films I recommend (basically me plugging reviews).
All of the films are special in some way but there is so much to cover. Here are some highlights. I will provide follow-up articles to cover other sections. Click on the titles to be taken to the corresponding Nippon Connection page which has details on dates and times.
Following on from yesterday’s trailer post is this follow-up. I suppose the only new thing to mention is Uplink Shibuya has closed for good. The final film was JUNK HEAD which is still going down a storm in Japan.
This is part one of a two-part trailer post. Now that my workplace has re-opened to the public I’ll be working this weekend so it isn’t as happy as it would normally be. I’m already feeling a bit battered, exhausted, and down about various things. This music helps me feel a little better.
Then there was tragic news that Kentaro Miura, creator of Berserk had died.
I discovered the series back with the Dreamcast game then wrote about the first of the trilogy of films in 2011. I had ditched the anime after the first episode but a passionate fan persuaded me to watch the rest of the series. I’m glad I did because, alongside my mother, sister, grandparents, and some key films, it helped inspire me when I was between jobs and a little lost. Behind the fantasy-horror, its story is all about the dreams we hold, the bonds we make with people, the pain of loss, and the hope we cling on to in life. I think about various scenes and listen to the music from time to time and I remain in awe that Kentaro Miura created something as influential as Berserk. A belated thank you to the man.
If you can, watch the TV anime and read the manga.
Wherever you are Nadia, thanks for the recommendation. I’ll be returning to Berserk soon to keep me going.
Just as miserable is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestinians with a huge amount of civilians getting caught up (particularly children). If you want to contribute to aid efforts, head over to Another Screen where you watch films by female Palestinian filmmakers for free. You can donate money which will go to facilitating medical, legal, and infrastructure aid with some donations going to support aspects of the Palestinian film industry.
I watched the films Natural Born Killers, C.H.U.D., HANA-BI (which I talked about on Heroic Purgatory – episode coming soon), Frankie and Johnny and Out of the Dark, the Stephen Chow film.
Genkinahito 