2013 Eiga Sai flyer - The Japan Foundation, Manila

screening schedules 

screening schedules 

fdcp cinematheque, davao city 

Date 

Time 

ayala center cinema, cebu city 

Date 

Time 

IN CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINES-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP MONTH AND THE 40TH YEAR 

OF ASEAN – JAPAN FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION 

JULY 19 (FRIDAY) 

ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street – 3 (142 mins) 

JULY 20 (SATURDAY) 

4:30 pm 

AUGUST 7 (WEDNESDAY) 

About Her Brother (126 mins) 

AUGUST 8 (THURSDAY) 

7:00 pm 

shang cineplex cinema 2, edsa, mandaluyong city 

WANKO – The Story of Me, My Family and 

My Dog (123 mins) 

Brave Story (111 mins) 

JULY 21 (SUNDAY) 


Fukushima Hula Girls (100 mins) 

JULY 22 (MONDAY) 


Light Up Nippon (90 mins) 

JULY 23 (TUESDAY) 

Haru’s Journey (134 mins) 


JULY 24 (WEDNESDAY) 




JULY 25 (THURSDAY) 

Fukushima Hula Girls (100 mins) 

Light Up Nippon (90 mins) 


Japan, Our Homeland (96 mins) 







Haru’s Journey (134 mins) 


1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

Confessions (106 mins) 

AUGUST 9 (FRIDAY) 

Parade (115 mins) 

AUGUST 10 (SATURDAY) 


Mai Mai Miracle (93 mins) 

Dear Doctor (127 mins) 

AUGUST 11 (SUNDAY) 

Rinco’s Restaurant (119 mins) 


KAMUI (120 mins) 

university of the philippines 

film institute, quezon city 

AUGUST 19 (MONDAY) 



AUGUST 20 (TUESDAY) 

Castle Under Fiery Skies (139 mins) 


AUGUST 21 (WEDNESDAY) 



AUGUST 22 (THURSDAY) 




AUGUST 23 (FRIDAY) 

7:00 pm 

7:00 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

4:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

2:00 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

Date 


About Her Brother (126 mins) (Invitational) 


ALWAYS-Sunset on Third Street (133 mins) 















JULY 8 (MONDAY) 




Time 

7:00 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

JULY 9 (TUESDAY) 







ALWAYS- Sunset on Third Street – 2 (146 mins) 

















1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

1:30 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:30 pm 

2013 


2:00 pm 

abreeza, ayala - davao city 









10:00 am 

10:00 am 

10:00 am 

10:00 am 



AUGUST 24 (SATURDAY) 




AUGUST 25 (SUNDAY) 



4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

2:00 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

4:30 pm 

7:00 pm 

For details, contact: 

The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) 

23rd Floor, Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue 

cor. Makati Avenue, Makati City 1226 

Tel: (63-2) 811-6155 to 58 

Fax: (63-2) 811-6153 

E-mail: email@jfmo.org.ph 

Website: http://www.jfmo.org.ph 

The Japanese Film Festival 

© 2010 “ABOUT HER BROTHER” FILM PARTNERS

About Her Brother 

おとうと (Ototo) 

2010 | 126 min | Drama , Children/Family, Feature | Color | 35mm | 

Cinema Scope (1:2.35) | Dolby Digital | English | Shochiku 

© 2010 “About Her Brother” Film 

Partners 

Synopsis: 

Master filmmaker Yamada Yoji, known for his humanistic films, directs his first contemporary 

feature in ten years. Paying homage to Ichikawa Kon’s film of the same title, 

the film presents a heartwarming depiction of the bond between a hard-working older 

sister and her younger brother, a failed performer. Widowed young, Ginko (Yoshinaga 

Sayuri) runs a pharmacy and lives with her daughter, Koharu (Aoi Yu), and her motherin-law, 

Kinuyo (Kato Haruko). Koharu was to marry a distinguished doctor; and, out of 

the blue, Ginko’s long lost brother, Tetsuro (Shofukutei Tsurube), showed up drunk at 

the wedding; thus, ruined the occasion. 

Official Site: http://www.ototo-movie.jp/ 

ALWAYS - Sunset on Third Street - 2 

ALWAYS 続・三丁目の夕日 (ALWAYS -Zoku Sancho-me no Yuhi) 

Synopsis: 

Set in a working class district of Tokyo in 1958, the year when the Tokyo Tower was 

built. Norifumi (Tsutsumi Shinichi) runs a garage in Yuuhi-machi 3-chome. A woman 

named Mutsuko comes to the garage to work, but she is disappointed to find out that 

it is such a small place. Norifumi’s son, Ippei, cheers her up by telling her that they 

are getting a TV at home soon. Meanwhile, the owner of the Sweet Shop opposite the 

garage, Chagawa (Yoshioka Hidetaka) drunkenly agrees to look after a boy named 

Junnosuke. Yuuhi-machi 3-chome welcomes the two new inhabitants. Everyone is in 

a festive mood with the coming of TV, Christmas and other good news. The years roll 

by, then Junnosuke’s father turns up in town. There is already a strong bond between 

Chagawa and Junnosuke, but Chagawa, thinking about the boy’s future, sends him off 

with his father. 

Based on the comic book series, which sold 14 million copies. 

2007 | 146 Min | Drama, Feature | Color | DVD | English | Always -Sunset On Third Street- 2 Film Partners, Ntv, Robot, Shogakukan, Vap, Toho, Dentsu, Ytv, Yomiuri Shimbun, Shirogumi, Imagica 

© 2007 “Always2” Film Partners 

ALWAYS - Sunset on Third Street - 3 

ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日 ‘64 (Always Sanchome no yuhi 64) 

2012 | 142 Min | Feature | Color | DVD | English | Ntv, Robot, Shogakukan, Vap, Toho, Dentsu, 

Ytv, Abe Shuji, Inc., The Yomiuri Shimbun, Shirogumi, STV•MMT•SDT•CTV•HTV•FBS 

© 2012 “Always3” Film Partners 

Synopsis: 

The third installment in a popular comedy-drama series following the lives of residents 

of a Tokyo neighborhood, this time taking place in 1964. Shot using the same 3D 

system as James Cameron’s Avatar, it vividly evokes the vitality of the times by interspersing 

nostalgic CG recreations of the Tokyo Olympics, the bullet train soon after it 

went into operation, and a lot more. 

As the benefits of Japan’s economic boom were being felt on Third Street in Sunset 

Town, unfortunate incidents were taking place—novelist Chagawa (Yoshioka Hidetaka) 

finds himself upstaged by a younger writer and ironically falls into a slump. Then he 

receives word from his family in Nagano that his father is seriously ill. 

Film Festivals, Awards: 

2012 Hawaii International Film Festival, Spring Showcase 

2012 Shanghai International Film Festival, Japan Film Week 

2012 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, Vision Express 

Official Site: http://www.always3.jp 

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Director: Yamada Yoji 

Producer: Fukasawa Hiroshi, Yamamoto Ichiro, 

Tamura Kenichi 

Cast: Yoshinaga Sayuri (Takano Ginko), Shofukutei 

Tsurube (Tanno Tetsuro), Aoi Yu (Takano Koharu), 

Kase Ryo (Nagata Toru), Kobayashi Nenji (Tanno 

Shohei) 

Screenplay: Yamada Yoji, Hiramatsu Emiko 

Cinematography: Chikamori Masashi 

Music: Tomita Isao Music 

Production Design: Degawa Mitsuo 

Director: Yamazaki Takashi 

Producer: Ando Chikahiro, Yamagiwa Shinpei, 

Takahashi Nozomu, Kurata Takaya 

Cast: Yoshioka Hidetaka (Chagawa Ryunosuke), 

Tsutsumi Shinichi (Suzuki Norifumi), 

Koyuki (Ishizaki Hiromi) 

Executive Producer: Abe Shuji, Okuda Seiji 

Original Story: Saigan Ryohei 

Screenplay: Kosawa Ryota, Yamazaki Takashi 

Music: Sato Naoki 

Cinematography: Shibasaki Kozo 

Production Design: Jojo Anri 

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Producer: Ando Chikahiro, Takahashi Nozomu, 

Iinuma Nobuyuki 


Tsutsumi Shinichi (Suzuki Norifumi), Koyuki 

(Chagawa Hiromi) 






Production Design: Jojo Anri 

ALWAYS - Sunset on Third Street 

ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日 (Always Sancho-me no Yuhi) 

2005 | 133 Min | Feature | Color | DVD | English | Ntv, Robot, Shogakukan, Vap, Toho, 

Dentsu, Ytv, The Yomiuri Shimbun, Shirogumi, Imagica 

© 2005 Ntv / Robot / Shogakukan / Vap /Toho / 

Dentsu / Ytv / The Yomiuri Shimbun / Shirogumi / 

Imagica 

Synopsis: 

A sequel to ALWAYS -Sunset on Third Street (ALWAYS Sancho-me no Yuhi), an empathic 

drama set in the Showa era. Direction, script and VFX are again by Yamazaki 

Takashi, as in the first part. The full use of VFX to realistically recreate the street 

scenes of the Showa era was well talked about in the first part. This sequel shows 

Nihombashi and Haneda airport recreated as in those days. 

Spring of 1959. Chagawa (Yoshioka Hidetaka) still thinks of Hiromi (Koyuki) who took 

off without a word, while living with Junnosuke(Suga Kenta), a boy Hiromi left in his 

care. At Suzuki Auto, where Suzuki Norifumi (Tsutsumi Shinichi) and his wife Tomoe 

(Yakushimaru Hiroko) live, Mutsuko (Horikita Maki) is established enough to be on her 

own. Then the Suzukis gain a new family member - their relatives’ daughter whom 

they are going to look after. As for Chagawa, Junnosuke’s biological father, Kawabuchi, 

comes to take back his son. In order to keep Junnosuke with him, the father imposes 

conditions upon him to give the boy a decent life. To secure a stable life and to prove 

himself to Hiromi, Chagawa starts writing again to win the Akutagawa award, a once 

abandoned hope. 

Official Site: http://www.always3.jp/ 

Confessions 

告白 (Kokuhaku) 

2010 | 106 Min | Drama, Children/Family, Feature | Color | 35mm | Cinema Scope (1:2.35) | Dolby 

Digital | English | Toho, Hakuhodo Dy Media Partners, Faith Wonderworks, Licri, Futabasha, 

Nippon Shuppan Hanbai, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Yahoo! Japan, Tsutaya Group 

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Producer: Ando Chikahiro , Moriya Keiichiro , 

Takahashi Nozomu 


Tsutsumi Shinichi (Suzuki Norifumi), 

Koyuki (Ishizaki Hiromi) 






Synopsis: 

Nakashima Tetsuya, director of Kamikaze Girls (Shimotsuma Monogatari) and Memories 

of MATSUKO (Kiraware Matsuko no Issho) discards his distinctive flashy and comical 

style and ventures into new territory with this more somber piece, based on Minato 

Kanae’s mystery novel. The film has been selected as Japan’s entry for the 83rd Academy 

Awards’ Foreign Language Film. Moriguchi Yuko (Matsu Takako) is a junior high 

school teacher who has lost a daughter. She has reason to believe that the murderer 

is among her students so she announces to the class her intentions to avenge her 

daughter’s death. A punishment beyond anyone’s imagination awaits the killer... 

Official Site: http://kokuhaku-shimasu.jp/ 

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Director: Nakashima Tetsuya 

Producer: Ishida Yuji, Suzuki Yutaka, Kubota Yoshihiro 

Cast: Matsu Takako (Moriguchi Yuko), 

Okada Masaki (Terada Yoshiki), 

Kimura Yoshino (Student’s Mother) 

Original Story: Minato Kanae 

Screenplay: Nakashima Tetsuya 

Cinematography: Ato Shoichi, Ozawa Atsushi 

Production Design: Kuwashima Towako 

© 2010 Toho Co., Ltd / Hakuhodo Dy Media Partners Inc. / Faith Wonderworks Inc. / Licri Inc. / Futabasha 

Publishers Ltd. / Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc. / Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)Inc. / Yahoo Japan 

Corporation / Tsutaya Group 

FILM VENUE 

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MANILA CEBU DAVAO 

Castle Under Fiery Skies 

火天の城 (Katen no Shiro) 

2009 | 139 Min | Drama, Action | Color | 35mm | English | Castle Under Fiery Skies 

Production Committee 

© Castle Under Fiery Skies Production 

Committee 

Director: Tanaka Mitsutoshi 

Producer: Shindo Junichi, Fujita Shigeki 

Cast: Nishida Toshiyuki (Okabe Mataemon), Fukuda 

Saki (Okabe Rin), Shiina Kippei (Oda Nobunaga), 

Otake Shinobu (Okabe Tazu) 

Script: Yokota Yoshia 

Based On The Novel By: Yamamoto Kenichi 

Cinematography: Hamada Takeshi 

Music: Iwashiro Taro 

Production Design: Nishioka Yoshinobu 

Synopsis: 

The story takes place in 1576. After defeating his greatest enemy, the Takeda clan, 

in the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, Oda Nobunaga (Kippei Shiina) aspires to build an 

enormous castle on Mount Azuchi, overlooking Lake Biwa, as a symbol of his efforts 

to unite the country. As architect and chief master of the project, Nobunaga chooses 

Mataemon Okabe (Toshiyuki Nishida), a temple carpenter from Atsuta. 

The construction steadily advances under Mataemon’s guidance. However, the path to 

completion of the greatest castle of all time is mined with obstacles. 

Japan, Our homeland 

ふるさとJapan (Furusato – Japan) 

2006 | 96 Min | Animation | Color | DVD | English | Wao! Education & Entertainment, 

Wao Corporation Co., Ltd. 

© WAO Corporation ALL rights reserved. 

Director: Nishizawa Akio 

Producer: Murakami Masahiro, Nishizawa Masae 

Cast: Naoya Sekine (Akira Yanagisawa), 

Maika Kawagushi (Shizu Miyanaga), 

Subaru Kimura (Gonji “Gon” Abe), 

Sayaka Hanamura (Ms. Rieko Sakamoto) 

Screenplay: Nishizawa Akio 

Editor: Goto Soji 

Music: Kuriya Makoto 

Synopsis: 

In the late 1950s, Japan was in a state of recovery from the ravages of the war—developing 

its economy. In downtown Tokyo, children always played outdoors until sunset and 

were awaited warmly at home by their families. Akira is an ordinary boy—naïve and 

serious; Gon is the boss; and, Hakase is a genius. 

One spring, a new female music teacher and a pretty girl—Shizu, who likes to sing 

join their class. They decide to join a singing competition in school; ‘DOYO’ (Japanese 

children’s songs) was their choice and they practice well. However, some boys in the 

school are found shoplifting; as a result, the class is forced to withdraw from the 

singing competition… But somehow, Akira and his classmates try to re-enter the 

competition. 

There was a strong will to realize Ms. Sakamoto’s wish and Shizu’s dream to become a 

singer. 

Light Up Nippon – Recovery from the Great 

East Japan Earthquake 

2012 | 90 min | Animation | Color | DVD | English | WAO! Education & Entertainment, Wao 

Corporation Co., Ltd. 

Director: Kakimoto Kensaku 

Producer: Yukawa Atsuki 

Starring: Takada Yoshitake, Yukawa Atsuki, 

Members Of The Light Up Nippon Executive 

Committee And All Participant Members At Each 

Fireworks Launch Site 

Synopsis: 

On March 11, 2011, Japan was hit by an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami that 

caused great devastation to property and loss of lives in the Tohoku region; the entire 

nation was consequently in grief. 

LIGHT UP NIPPON is a fireworks display project launched in 10 disaster-stricken areas 

simultaneously following the Great East Japan Earthquake. After overcoming many 

obstacles with strong commitment and sheer determination, the first fireworks event 

was on August 11, 2011, much to the delight of many people—it was a memorial for the 

victims and a symbol of hope for recovery. 

The Japan Foundation has produced a documentary video for overseas viewing that 

includes the LIGHT UP NIPPON project, which was made possible through the efforts 

of individuals from Japan’s younger generation. 

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Dear Doctor 

ディア・ドクター (Dear Doctor) 

2009 | 90 Min | Drama, Feature | Color | 35mm | American Vista (1:1.85) | Dolby Digital | 

English | Engine Network 

© 2009 Dear Doctor Production Committee 

Director: Nishikawa Miwa 

Producer: Kato Yoshihiro 

Cast: Shofukutei Tsurube (Ino Osamu), Eita (Souma 

Keisuke), Yo Kimiko (Otake Kotomi), 

Igawa Haruka (Daughter), Yachigusa Kaoru (Kazuko), 

Kagawa Teruyuki (Salesman) 

Original Story: Nishikawa Miwa 

Screenplay: Nishikawa Miwa 

Cinematography: Yanagijima Katsumi 

Production Design: Mitsumatsu Keiko 

Synopsis: 

The third film from Nishikawa Miwa, whose previous film Sway garnered many domestic 

film awards and gained attention at the Cannes film festival. A novel she herself 

wrote, bated on the idea of this film, was nominated for the Naoki Prize. This sincere, 

humanistic drama takes a scalpel to the timely theme of rural medical treatment 

against a beautiful pastoral backdrop. Rakugo storyteller Shofukutei Tsurube, gives a 

highly empathetic performance in his first lead role, as a medical practitioner (Dr. Ino) 

beloved by the mountain village residents. Dr. Ino suddenly vanishes after meeting 

with a terminal patient and his identity puzzled the villagers. 

Premiere: 

International Premiere: The World Film Festival Montreal 2009 

Official Site: http://deardoctor.jp/ 

KAMUI 

カムイ外伝 (Kamui Gaiden) 

2009 | 120 Min | Action/Adventure, Feature | Color | 35mm | American Vista (1:1.85) | 

Dolby Digital Surround Ex | English | Kamui Film Partners 

© 2009 Kamui Film Partners 

Synopsis: 

Director/screenwriter Sai Yoichi and screenwriter Kudo Kankuro have created a live action 

period piece based on the internationally famous classic Ninja comic by Shirato Sampei. 

Kamui (Matsuyama Kenichi), born in the 17th century in the lower classes of society, 

became a Ninja in order to survive. Unable to bear the restrictive rules and brutality, 

he fled—known as an escaped Ninja. Being a fugitive, he lived in the home of fisherman 

Hanbei (Kobayashi Kaoru) whose life he saved. Hanbei’s wife Sugaru (Koyuki)—herself an 

escaped Ninja did not trust him. Meanwhile, Hanbei’s daughter Sayaka (Ohgo Suzuka) finds 

herself falling in love with him. 

Premiere: 

World Premiere: Toronto International Film Festival 2009 

Official Site: http://www.kamuigaiden.jp/ 

Parade 

パレード (Parade) 

Director: Sai Yoichi 

Producer: Enoki Nozomu 

Cast: Matsuyama Kenichi (Kamui), 

Koyuki (Sugaru Oshika), Ohgo Suzuka (Sayaka) 

Original Story: Shirato Sampei 

Screenplay: Sai Yoichi, Kudo Kankuro 

Cinematography: Fujisawa Junichi, Ezaki Tomoo 

Music: Iwashiro Taro 

2010 | 115 Min | Drama, Feature | Color | 35mm | English | Wowow, Showgate, King Records, 

Happinet Corporation 

© 2010 “Parade” Film Partners 

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Director: Yukisada Isao 

Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya (Naoki), Karina (Mirai), 

Kanjiya Shihori (Kotomi), Hayashi Kento (Satoru), 

Koide Keisuke (Ryosuke) 

Original Story: Yoshida Shuichi 

Screenplay: Yukisada Isao 

Cinematography: Fukumoto Jun 

Music: Asamoto Hirofumi 

Production Design: Yamaguchi Shu 

Synopsis: 

A dark coming-of-age ensemble piece adapted from Yoshida Shuichi’s novel, which 

won the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize. Appraised for his portrayal of restless and apathetic 

youth, director Yukisada Isao depicts how repeated incidents of violent assault cast a 

shadow on the superficial relationship between a group of five young men and women. 

Film production employee Naoki (Fujiwara Tatsuya), struggling illustrator Mirai (Karina), 

part-timer Kotomi (Kanjiya Shihori), and college student Ryosuke (Koide Keisuke) 

share an apartment. Their seemingly peaceful communal life starts to go awry when a 

male prostitute, Satoru (Hayashi Kento), comes into their lives. 

Film Festivals, Awards: 

Berlin International Film Festival 2010 FIPRESCI Jury Prize 

Official Site: http://parade-movie.com/ 

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Mai Mai Miracle 

マイマイ新子と千年の魔法 

(Mai Mai Shinko to sennen no maho) 

2009 | 93 Min | Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Children/Family, Animation | Color | 35mm | 

American Vista (1:1.85) | Dolby Digital | English | “Maimaishinko” Film Committee 

© 2009 Nobuko Takagi/ Magazine House/ 

“Maimaishinko” film committee 

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Director: Katabuchi Sunao 

Producer: Iwase Tomohiko, Ichii Miho, Matsuo Ryoichiro 

Cast: Fukuda Mayuko (Shinko), Mizusawa Nako (Kiiko), 

Morisako Ei (Nagiko) 

Original Story: Takagi Nobuko 

Screenplay: Katabuchi Sunao 

Cinematography: Masumoto Yukihiro 

Music: Murai Shusei, Obata “Mooki” Minako 

Production Design: Uehara Shinichi 

Synopsis: 

Nostalgic full length animated film adaptation of the autobiographical novel of the 

same title by Akutagawa Prize winner, Takagi Nobuko. Set in Hofu City, Yamaguchi 

Prefecture in the mid 1950’s, a place which still retains historic sites and placenames 

of the Heian period. The film portrays the warm friendship between a young local girl 

(Shinko) with a rich imagination, and a girl (Kiiko) who came from Tokyo. Production 

house MADHOUSE (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; Summer Wars), completed the 

film using visually pleasing graphics. 

Shinko (voiced by Fukuda Mayuko) is an energetic third-grader who has a curl in her 

forehead that she calls her “Mai Mai.” She loves listening to her grandfather’s stories 

of the Heian period, and finds herself imaging the lives of those who lived 1000 years 

ago. When Kiiko (voiced by Mizusawa Nako) came, the ever-curious Shinko finds Kiiko’s 

unfamiliarity with the local ways to be fascinating. They become fast friends, and spent 

much time together. They started on a project to stop the canals and build a dammed 

lake; and, taking care of a goldfish they had discovered. 

Premiere: 

World Premiere: International Film Festival Locarno 2009 

Official Site: http://mai-mai.jp/ 

WANKO - The Story of Me, My Family and My Dog 

ロックわんこの島 (Rock Wanko No Shima) 

2011 | 123 Min | Drama | Color | DVD | English | Fuji Television Network, Toho, FNS 

© 2011 Fuji Television Network, Toho, FNS 

Director: Nakae Isamu 

Starring: Sato Ryuta, Aso Kumiko, 

Baisho Mitsuko 

Fukushima Hula Girls 

がんばっぺフラガール!(GAMBAPPE HULA Hula GIRL!) 

2011 | 100 Min | Documentary | Color | DVD | English | Fukushima Hula Girls Production 

Commitee (J Cine Quanon, Yahoo! Japan, Fukushima-Minpo Co., The Fukushima Minyu 

Shimbun, Dentsu, Asmik Ace Entertainment) 

Director: Kobayashi Masaki 

Producer: Ishihara Hitomi, Fujimura Keiko 

Executive Producer: Kwang Jin Chung 

© Fukushima Hula Girls Production Commitee (J Cine Quanon, Yahoo! Japan, Fukushima-Minpo Co., 

The Fukushima Minyu Shimbun, Dentsu, Asmik Ace Entertainment) 

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Synopsis: 

Miyakejima, a small island in the Pacific Ocean, is a six-and-a-half hour boat ride away 

from Tokyo. There have been eruptions every 20 years on this volcanic island. Here, 

the Noyama family runs a guesthouse in the sixth district. Shin, a primary school pupil, 

adores a newborn puppy that he has named Rock. 

In August 2000, Mount Oyama in Miyakejima erupts violently, forcing the Noyama family 

to evacuate. At that time, Rock goes missing. One day, Shin and his family miraculously 

reunite with Rock at a volcanic hazard animal rescue center. However, dogs are not 

allowed at the shelter. Rock, already not well, becomes increasingly weak, and the family 

members do not know when they will return to the island. In this situation fraught with 

anxieties and conflicts, Shin makes a decision. 

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Synopsis: 

This documentary was produced after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 11, 

2011. Iwaki City, one of the hardest-hit areas close to the Fukushima nuclear power 

plant, features the beautiful “Spa Resort Hawaiians” resort hotel and facilities. After 

the disaster, everyone working at the resort, including the hula dancers known as the 

“Hula Girls,” has been trying to overcome the challenges of rebuilding the facility as 

a first step toward the reconstruction of Fukushima. The film tells the story of these 

people facing everyday life and other struggles leading up to the reopening of “Spa 

Resort Hawaiians.” 

Rinco’s Restaurant 

食堂かたつむり (Shokudo katatsumuri) 

2010 | 119 Min | Drama, Feature | Color | 35mm | American Vista (1:1.85) | Dolby Sr | 

English | Micott & Basara, Toho, Amuse, King Records, Tokyo Broadcasting System 

Television, Hakuhodo Dy Media Partners, Poplar Publishing, Sme Records, Nippon 

Shuppan Hanbai, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Daiko Advertising, Chubu-Nippon 

Broadcasting, Rkb Mainichi Broadcasting, Tsutaya Group, Yahoo! Japan 

Director: Tominaga Mai 

Producer: Watanabe Naoko, Kameda Yuko, 

Akagi Satoshi, Nihira Tomoyo 

Cast: Shibasaki Kou (Rinco), Yo Kimiko (Ruriko), 

Brother Tom (Kumasan), Tanaka Tetsushi (Neokon), 

Shida Mirai (Momo) 

Original Story: Ogawa Ito 

Screenplay: Takai Hiroko 

Cinematography: Kita Nobuyasu 

Music: Hashimoto Yasuo 

Synopsis: 

A heartwarming human drama based on lyricist Ogawa Ito’s debut novel. Using CG 

animation and musical scenes, this fantastical film shows us the small miracles a little 

heartfelt cooking can bring. In shock from a heart break, Rinco (Shibasaki Kou) has 

lost her voice. She reluctantly moves in with her whimsical mother Ruriko (Yo Kimiko), 

but trying to find a way to provide for herself, she decides to convert the guest house 

into a restaurant, where she serves only one pair of guests a day with carefully cooked 

meals. Soon word spreads that “dining there will bring you happiness.” 

Haru’s Journey 

Haru’s Journey 春との旅 (Haru Tono Tabi) 

2010 | 118 Min | Drama | Color | DVD | English | 2010 Haru’s Journey Film Partners, 

Laterna, Monkey Town Productions 

© 2010 Haru’s Journey Film Partners / Laterna / 

Monkey Town Productions. All Rights Reserved. 

Brave Story 

ブレイブストーリ (Brave Story) 

2006 | 111 Min | Animation, Feature | Color | 35mm/ DVD | English | Fuji Television 

Network/ Gonzo/ Warner Entertainment Japan/ Dentsu/ SPWT 

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© 2010 Micott&Basara / Toho / Amuse / King Records/ Tokyo Broadcasting System Television / 

Hakuhodo Dy Media Partners / Poplar Publishing / Sme Records / Nippon Shuppan Hanbai / Mainichi 

Broadcasting System / Daiko Advertising / Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting / Rkb Mainichi Broadcasting / 

Tsutaya Group / Yahoo Japan 

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Synopsis: 

In April 2009, an elderly man named Tadao and his granddaughter Haru go on a trip. 

Tadao, living in the lonely fishing village of Mashike in Hokkaido, had spent his life fishing 

for Pacific herring. Retired after injuring his leg, he lives with Haru after his only daughter 

killed herself. While taking care of her grandfather, Haru worked as a nutritionist, but 

lost her job when the elementary school that employed her closed down. 

One day, Haru tells Tadao that she wants to move to the city to find a new job and that 

one of his siblings should look after him. Tadao gets angry but has no choice; they set 

of to visit his estranged siblings in Tohoku in northeastern Japan. 

Their journey consequently revolves around the theme of family reconciliation, as 

Haru and Tadao come to understand the harshness of life and how precious human 

relations are. Thus, Tadao looks back on his life and Haru finds a new future. 

©2006 Fuji Television Network/ Gonzo/ Warner 

Entertainment Japan/ Dentsu/ SPWT 

rated 

Director: Chigira Koichi 

Producer: Koiwai Hiroyoshi, Kajita Koji, Sekiguchi 

Daisuke 

Cast: Matsu Takako (Wataru), Oizumi Yo 

(Kee Keema), Tokiwa Takako (Kutz) 

Original Story: Miyabe Miyuki 

Executive Producer: Kameyama Chihiro 

Screenplay: Okouchi Ichiro 

Editor: Seyama Takeshi 

Music: Juno Reactor 

Chief Animation Director: Chiba Yuriko 

Synopsis: 

Based on a fantasy masterpiece by best selling author, Miyabe Miyuki. A primary 

school pupil, Wataru, lives with his mother as his parents are divorced. His mother 

slips into critical condition. “If you go to the other side of that door, you can change 

your fate,” says his new classmate, Mitsuru. Mitsuru came to the world of Vision before 

Wataru. Wataru follows the advice of Mitsuru and sets off on a journey into the world 

of Vision. 

Wataru becomes a trainee hero, and travels in search of a hidden treasure that has the 

power to change fate. Entrusted with fate, Wataru chooses to prioritize peace in Vision 

over his wish to recover his happy home with his parents. The demons are sealed away 

and peace returns to Vision once again. 

G 

Director: Kobayashi Masahiro 

Starring: Nakadai Tatsuya, Tokunaga Eri, 

Otaki Hideji, Awashima Chikage, Emoto Akira, 

Kagawa Teruyuki 

G 

G

2013 Eiga Sai flyer - The Japan Foundation, Manila

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