Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki (Japan, 70 min.) Dir. Kaku Arakawa “It’s an insult to life,” mutters filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki to a flabbergasted colleague in Never-Ending Man. The legendary Japanese animator makes the terse
Keep ReadingRyuichi Sakamoto: Coda (Japan/USA, 100 min.) Dir. Stephen Schible Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda sings with a whisper. This quiet and contemplative film offers a portrait in pianissimo of Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. The 66-year-old
Keep ReadingThis Zen-like doc from Kensei Fushihara offers a relaxed look at Shuichi Tsubata, who was 90 years old at the time of filming but passed away in 2015.
Keep ReadingUkiyo-E Heroes (Japan, 96 minutes) Directed by Toru Tokikowa Programme: Made in Japan (World Premiere) The narrative of Ukiyo-E Heroes is amply covered in the first ten minutes of Toru Tokikowa’s
Keep ReadingRyuichi Hirokawa: Human Battlefield Japan, 99 minutes Dir. Saburo Hasegawa Programme: Made in Japan, (Canadian Premiere.) From Palestinian refugee camps, to the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters, veteran Japanese photojournalist Ryuchi
Keep ReadingLiving the Game (Japan, 88 minutes) Dir. Takao Gotsu Programme: Magnificent Obsessions (International Premiere) A documentary about champions who sit and twiddle their thumbs and fingers, Living the Game explores the
Keep ReadingA Room of Her Own: Rai Naito and Light (Japan, 87 minutes) Dir. Yuko Nakamura Programme: Made in Japan (North American Premiere) An art film, an anxiety therapy diary and a
Keep ReadingRaise Your Arms and Twist, Documentary of NMB48 (Japan, 95 min.) Dir. Atsushi Funahashi Programme: Made in Japan (Toronto Premiere) Atsushi Funahashi’s film Raise Your Arms and Twist explores the pop
Keep ReadingAbout My Liberty (Japan, 165 minutes) Dir. Takahashi Nishihara) By Liam Lacey In 2015 and 2016, Japan witnessed the biggest student protest movement since the 1960s. The cause was a bill
Keep ReadingRamen Heads looks at award-winning chef Osamu Tomito as he shares his philosophy and takes us on a journey of ramen fanaticism.
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