Shangri-La Plaza hosts the highly-anticipated Eiga Sai (Japanese Film Festival) this July 2-10, 2011 at Shang Cineplex Cinema 4.
Presented in partnership with the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan, the festival, now on its 13th year, opens with an invitational screening of Departures (Okuribito) on July 1st, 7 PM at the Grand Atrium.
The screening is accompanied by a special performance by Renato Lucas, principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, together with the group’s acclaimed pianist Naomi Sison.
Departures, winner of the 81st Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009, takes on a bizarre and unique subject with an intelligent script and outstanding acting performance by Masahiro Motoki, who plays Daigo Kobayashi, an aspiring cellist-turned-encoffinner.
Motoki won Best Actor in the 32nd Japan Academy Prize in 2008 and Kinema Junpo Awards in 2009 for his role, complementing the brilliance of acclaimed director Yojiro Takita.
Other exciting films include One Million Yen Girl (Hyakumanen to Nigamushi Onna), a coming-of-age story that stars Japanese contemporary cinema’s rising star Yu Aoi, as a girl who vows to leave her bitter life once she saves up a million yen.
in The Chef of South Polar (Nanyoku ryorinin), the chef of a research group in the South Pole goes through great lengths to keep the table filled with delectable meals.
Animated film Summer Days with Coo (Kappa no Coo to natsu-yasumi) revolves around a human and an amphibious creature called Kappa, and the friendship that ensues between them.
Your Friend (Kimino Tomodachi) is the touching story between Emi and Yuki, who are both bullied in school but eventually help each other overcome their personal hindrances, and in turn, try to heal their classmates as well.
A dedicated reporter is faced with ethical issues and faces a string of life-changing decisions while he covers the biggest single-plane tragedy in the world in Climber’s High (Kuraimazu hai).
Yunagi City, Sakura Country (Yunagi no machi, sakura no kuni) examines the tragic effects of the Hiroshima bombing and the deep pain it carries through generations.
In The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones (Tsurugidake: Ten no ki), protagonist Shibaski is given orders to conquer the last uncharted region of Japan—the inaccessible Mt. Tsurugidake, also known as the Mountain of Death.
Villon’s Wife (Villon no tsuma) confronts the struggles of Sachi, devoted wife to a popular but promiscuous writer.
In adrenaline-driven Feel the Wind (Kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteiru), ten runners aim to join the Hakone Ekiden—the ultimate event for long distance runners. From the fierce sectional race to the rights to join the competition, see how far these boys will run after their dreams.
For inquiries, contact 633-7851 loc.113 or go to http://www.shangrila-plaza.com.
Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.