As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for international cinema, especially those from the Far East, I must say that the Japan Foundation’s touring film program, “Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema,” promises an enriching and thought-provoking journey.

The Japan Foundation is organizing a themed presentation on the topics of justice and morality for UK audiences, which includes the debuts of fresh Japanese productions as well as re-screenings of classic films.

The lineup, titled “Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema,” showcases two intriguing films: Yuya Ishii’s “The Moon” (2023), which delves into the issue of institutional abuse through a narrative about a retired author who works at a facility for disabled individuals. Additionally, Bunji Sotoyama’s “Tea Friends” (2022) offers insightful perspectives on elderly care and sexuality by focusing on a senior escort service.

In the current selection of films, Kosai Sekine’s “Stay Mum” (2024) tells the story of an estranged daughter who meets a child who might be abused, whereas Shinji Araki’s “Penalty Loop” (2023) delves into the theme of revenge in a narrative that revolves around a time loop.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming lineup includes some highly anticipated premieres. Among them are Yu Irie’s “A Girl Named Ann” (2024) and Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s heartwarming drama, “To Mom, With Love” (2024). For animation lovers, there’s “Ghost Cat Anzu” (2024), a captivating tale about an 11-year-old girl embarking on a supernatural adventure with a chatty feline companion.

Some historical choices feature “The Inugami Family,” a 1976 mystery directed by Kon Ichikawa, and “Carmen Comes Home,” Keisuke Kinoshita’s 1951 production that marked the beginning of Japan’s color movie features.

The complete lineup features new releases including “The Moon,” “Tea Friends,” “A Girl Named Ann,” “Qualia,” “Stay Mum,” “Day and Night,” “(Ab)normal Desire,” “Hope,” “We Make Antiques!,” “What Happened to Our Nest Egg!?,” “Let’s Go Karaoke!,” “Bushido,” “Broken Commandment,” “Rude to Love,” “99% Cloudy… Always,” “All the Long Nights,” “To Mom, With Love,” “The Scoop,” “Penalty Loop,” “A Samurai in Time,” “In the Wake,” “Sakura,” “Ichiko,” and “Ghost Cat Anzu.”

The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation is backing a program in partnership with Japan Airlines and the Japan Society, who serve as cultural collaborators. This tour spans more than 25 locations throughout the United Kingdom, such as London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts, Edinburgh’s Cameo Picturehouse, and Manchester’s Home – ranging from major cities to regional art cinemas.

The Japan Foundation touring film program runs from Feb. 7 to March 31.

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2024-12-20 13:16