Films & Series
Kirschblueten-Hanami (Cherry Blossoms: Hanami)Directed and written by Doris Doerrie, 2008, 127 minutes Review by Susan Meehan
Films & Series
OkuribitoDirected by Yōjirō Takita Okuribito (Departures), winner of the 2009 Oscar for “Best Foreign Language Film,” opens with a mesmerising winter scene in the photogenic Shōnai area of Yamagata Prefecture and doesn’t fail to continue impressing, amusing and tugging at the heart strings. Review by Susan Meehan
Films & Series
A Midsummer Night’s DreamDirected by Jonathan Man, Performed at the Southwark Playhouse, 19 February 2009 Review by Susan Meehan
Films & Series
Cape No. 7Directed by Wei Te-Sheng The story features Taiwan under Japanese colonial rule, Japan’s surrender in World War II in 1945, a Japanese school teacher’s love for a Taiwanese girl, and his departure from Taiwan. Review by Fumiko Halloran
Films & Series
Turtles are Surprisingly Fast SwimmersDirected by Satoshi Miki Turtles are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers is an off-beat, urbane comic gem, about loneliness, normality, friendship, and spies, with a magnificent, low-key performance by Juri Ueno, which makes that all somehow work wonderfully. Review by Simon Cotterill
Films & Series
Tokyo SonataDirected by Kiyoshi Kurosawa As a result of company streamlining and outsourcing to China, Ryuhei Sasaki (Teruyuki Kagawa) loses his well-paid job. Pride prevents him from confiding in his wife or two sons, so Ryuhei carries on the pretence of commuting to work. Review by Susan Meehan
Films & Series
Fine, Totally FineDirected by Yosuke Fujita “Fine, Totally, Fine” is a brilliantly subtle comedy which centres upon a quirky bunch of eccentric characters, the likes of which many UK viewers won’t have seen in a Japanese film before. Reviews by Simon Cotterill and Susan Meehan
Films & Series
After SchoolDirected by Kenji Uchida After School starts off by introducing us to Kimura (Masato Sakai) and Miki (Takako Tokiwa), childhood sweethearts, and their good friend and neighbour, Jinno(Yo Oizumi), a former classmate and now a teacher at their alma mater. Review by Susan Meehan
Films & Series
Kamome Diner(“Kamome Shokudo” in Japanese, “Ruokala Lokki” in Finnish) Directed by Naoko Ogigami, Released in 2006, 102 mins Review by Fumiko Halloran
Films & Series
Hula Girls - special event and screeningDirected by Lee Sang-II For the third year running, the Embassy of Japan organised an excellent festival of new Japanese films at BAFTA over the weekend of 14-16 September 2007. Guided by the expert hands of Tony Rayns and Alexander Jacoby, the choice of films on offer was extremely good. Review by Susan Meehan