Japanese Movie Screenings
2022/1/7
Bento Harassment; (c)2019 "BENTO HARASSMENT" Film Partners
The Takatsu River; (c)2019 THE TAKATSU RIVER MOVIE PARTNERS
The Embassy of Japan in Cyprus announces that to kick-start the celebrations for the 60 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Cyprus, Japanese Film Screenings will be held in late January to early February. For the first time since the annual film screenings in Cyprus, a screening will take place in Limassol, in addition to Nicosia.
The following films will be screened in the span of three weeks and only for one time each:
Bento Harassment
January 18, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Cine Studio, University of Nicosia Main Campus – Admission: FREE
Hachijojima – a small Japanese island with beautiful blue waters and lush green mountains is home to a single mother and her high school daughter who is going through the “rebellious phase.” The girl who used to call her “Mommy” now totally ignores her and doesn’t even answer when spoken to. The exasperated mother seeks revenge using “bentos” (home-made boxed lunches) as her weapon to embarrass her.
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 106m
Mentai Piriri
January 25, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Cine Studio, University of Nicosia Main Campus – Admission: FREE
Toshiyuki and Chiyoko run a small grocery store called "Lucky Grocers" in the city of Hakata. Toshiyuki spends days and nights to reproduce "mentaiko", deep-seasoned spicy cod-roe, which he used to eat in Busan where he grew up.
One day, Toshiyuki sees a girl in a ragged clothes, attempting to shoplift a product from his store. She is actually his son's classmate and when Toshiyuki finds out that she has lost her parents in the war and has no money to purchase even a rucksack and a pair of shoes for her school excursion, he decides to help her somehow... Based on a true story about a man who created Fukuoka's famous local food, this film depicts people who struggle to survive the economic transition and growth in the post-war period.
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 115m
Finding Calico
February 1, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Rialto Theatre, Limassol – Admission: FREE
Kyoichi Morii is a cranky retired headmaster who lost his beloved wife and now lives alone. He’s grumpy and aloof, and over the years has alienated himelf from most of the town locals.
Mie, the stray cat his wife used to feed, is Morii’s only regular visitor. Morii doesn’t like cats any more than people, and he chases Mei away each time he sees her.
One day Mie suddenly stops visiting and Morii takes notice. His wonder eventually turns into worry, and he decides to search for the missing cat. Throughout his adventure, Morii reconnects with the people of his past and forced to confront the deep affection for his wife that he never had the courage or the vulnerability to reveal to her.
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 107m
The Takatsu River
February 9, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Cine Studio, University of Nicosia Main Campus – Admission: FREE
Manabu Saito runs a ranch on a mountain. The dance of 'KAGURA', which is said to be the origin of kabuki, is the pride of the local community. Because his son, Tatsuya, is prone to skipping Kagura practice, Manabu worries that his son will leave the region like many young people do. Population decline due to the outflow of young people to cities is one of the major problems in the region. As a result, not only Kagura, but also the continuation of transmission of many traditions and crafts unique to Japan, is in a critical state.
In the midst of this situation, there is talk of gathering all the graduates at the last athletic meet and hold each year's class reunions simultaneously. Manabu insists that Makoto, who is a lawyer in Tokyo, should come back for the class reunion.
He consults with Makoto, about the progressing talks of resort development on the upper stream of Takatsu River. Makoto says that this will spark economic development in the region, but Manabu objects and takes him to the banks of the Takatsu River. Makoto, who has been away from his hometown for a long time, sees his father standing on the bank. And then, Makoto learns of a certain secret that only Manabu knows...
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 113m
Reservations
Due to the COVID-19 measures, seats are limited. Reservations are not required, but the public is encouraged to arrive at the venue early to secure their seats. Attendants are required to show proof of vaccinations or submit any documents according to the regulations at that time.
Japan Foundation
The films are a courtesy of the Japan Foundation. To cultivate friendship and ties between Japan and the world, the Japan Foundation creates global opportunities to foster friendship, trust, and mutual understanding through culture, language, and dialogue.
The Japan Foundation was established in October 1972 as a special legal entity supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In October 2003, it was reorganized as an incorporated administrative agency. Based on a government endowment of 78 billion yen, the activities of the Japan Foundation are financed by annual government subsidies, investment revenue, and donations from the private sector.
The following films will be screened in the span of three weeks and only for one time each:
Bento Harassment
January 18, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Cine Studio, University of Nicosia Main Campus – Admission: FREE
Hachijojima – a small Japanese island with beautiful blue waters and lush green mountains is home to a single mother and her high school daughter who is going through the “rebellious phase.” The girl who used to call her “Mommy” now totally ignores her and doesn’t even answer when spoken to. The exasperated mother seeks revenge using “bentos” (home-made boxed lunches) as her weapon to embarrass her.
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 106m
Mentai Piriri
January 25, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Cine Studio, University of Nicosia Main Campus – Admission: FREE
Toshiyuki and Chiyoko run a small grocery store called "Lucky Grocers" in the city of Hakata. Toshiyuki spends days and nights to reproduce "mentaiko", deep-seasoned spicy cod-roe, which he used to eat in Busan where he grew up.
One day, Toshiyuki sees a girl in a ragged clothes, attempting to shoplift a product from his store. She is actually his son's classmate and when Toshiyuki finds out that she has lost her parents in the war and has no money to purchase even a rucksack and a pair of shoes for her school excursion, he decides to help her somehow... Based on a true story about a man who created Fukuoka's famous local food, this film depicts people who struggle to survive the economic transition and growth in the post-war period.
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 115m
Finding Calico
February 1, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Rialto Theatre, Limassol – Admission: FREE
Kyoichi Morii is a cranky retired headmaster who lost his beloved wife and now lives alone. He’s grumpy and aloof, and over the years has alienated himelf from most of the town locals.
Mie, the stray cat his wife used to feed, is Morii’s only regular visitor. Morii doesn’t like cats any more than people, and he chases Mei away each time he sees her.
One day Mie suddenly stops visiting and Morii takes notice. His wonder eventually turns into worry, and he decides to search for the missing cat. Throughout his adventure, Morii reconnects with the people of his past and forced to confront the deep affection for his wife that he never had the courage or the vulnerability to reveal to her.
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 107m
The Takatsu River
February 9, Screening 19:00, Entry: 18:30, at the Cine Studio, University of Nicosia Main Campus – Admission: FREE
Manabu Saito runs a ranch on a mountain. The dance of 'KAGURA', which is said to be the origin of kabuki, is the pride of the local community. Because his son, Tatsuya, is prone to skipping Kagura practice, Manabu worries that his son will leave the region like many young people do. Population decline due to the outflow of young people to cities is one of the major problems in the region. As a result, not only Kagura, but also the continuation of transmission of many traditions and crafts unique to Japan, is in a critical state.
In the midst of this situation, there is talk of gathering all the graduates at the last athletic meet and hold each year's class reunions simultaneously. Manabu insists that Makoto, who is a lawyer in Tokyo, should come back for the class reunion.
He consults with Makoto, about the progressing talks of resort development on the upper stream of Takatsu River. Makoto says that this will spark economic development in the region, but Manabu objects and takes him to the banks of the Takatsu River. Makoto, who has been away from his hometown for a long time, sees his father standing on the bank. And then, Makoto learns of a certain secret that only Manabu knows...
Language/Subtitles: Japanese/English | Duration: 113m
Reservations
Due to the COVID-19 measures, seats are limited. Reservations are not required, but the public is encouraged to arrive at the venue early to secure their seats. Attendants are required to show proof of vaccinations or submit any documents according to the regulations at that time.
Japan Foundation
The films are a courtesy of the Japan Foundation. To cultivate friendship and ties between Japan and the world, the Japan Foundation creates global opportunities to foster friendship, trust, and mutual understanding through culture, language, and dialogue.
The Japan Foundation was established in October 1972 as a special legal entity supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In October 2003, it was reorganized as an incorporated administrative agency. Based on a government endowment of 78 billion yen, the activities of the Japan Foundation are financed by annual government subsidies, investment revenue, and donations from the private sector.