Thursday, June 4, 2015, Open 18:00 Show 18:30
at Asia Society (725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021-5088)
Facebook event pages; program 1 / program 2
The fourth annual New York Japan CineFest (NYJCF) will screen eight Japanese independent films at Asia Society co-hosted by Mar Creation, Inc. and Asia Society on Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, 2015 starting at 6:30pm.
This film festival highlights some of the most exciting new voices in cinema – eight high-quality shorts by emerging Japanese and Japanese-American filmmakers. There will be a reception on the first day and Q&A with Hazuki Aikawa and Ema Ryan Yamazaki on the second day after screenings.
Ticket prices are $8 Asia Society members; $10 seniors and students w/ID; $12 nonmembers.
[Program 1 on Thursday, June 4]
A Warm Spell
Dir. Toshimichi Saito. 2014. Japan. 40 min.
When Masanobu returns home with the body of his mother, he finds that his younger brother, Naoki, has given up on his dream to be a painter in order to take care of the post office, their family business. At their mother’s funeral, the two brothers and a few unlikely strangers come together to bid farewell to the woman who tied them together. The film is developed from director Toshimichi Saito’s NYU thesis short film, also named A Warm Spell, which won the Wasserman Award and Audience Choice Award at NYU’s First Run Film Festival 2014 and went on to be showcased at Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. Special thanks to New Directors Film Festival.
Little Kyota Errand Hood
Dir. Satsuki Okawa. 2014. Japan. 20 min.
Three years after the earthquake and tsunami, little boy Kyota meets little girl Shiori. Sharing similar eccentricities, the two quickly become friends and plan to embark on an adventure together. Director Satsuji Okawa’s Little Kyota Noen Hood was screened in last year’s New York Japan CineFest.
Special thanks to Aichi International Women’s Film Festival.
Tadaima
Dir. Robin Takao D’Oench. 2014. Japan. 15 min.
A Japanese American family returns home from an internment camp at the end of WWII. Their home has been ransacked and is in disarray. Even though each family member feels differently about returning home, they all try to find the strength to rebuild their life amidst the emotional and physical destruction caused by the war. Robin Takao D’Oench’s directorial debut honors the legacy of Paul Takagi, 92-year old former internee, WWII veteran, Berkeley Professor Emeritus, and the director’s grandfather.
Confession Ranking of Girlfriend
Dir. Shinichiro Ueda. 2014. Japan. 19 min.
A man proposes to a woman. Rather than saying Yes or No, the woman goes on to reveal 17 secrets. Will the proposal hold after these revelations?
[Program 2 on Friday, June 5]
Monk By Blood
Dir. Ema Ryan Yamazaki. 2013. Japan. 25 min.
As a first-born son, 21-year-old Scion Sasaki is destined to take over his family’s Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a temple that is 800 years old and has been managed by 23 generations of Scion’s family. Born in California, Scion was was brought back to Japan at the age of 9 and raised to understand his ultimate duty. Meanwhile, he juggles multiple worlds as a monk, DJ, and aspiring chef.
Reflection
Dir. Hazuki Aikawa. 2014. Japan. 23 min.
Tara, a young single mother, struggles to understand and come to terms with her son’s gender identity. Reflection tells the story of a mother and her enduring influence on her child’s life. It provides an honest look at what it means to be a parent to a LGBTQ+ youth.
Tsuyako
Dir. Mitsuyo Miyazaki. 2011. Japan. 25 min.
During post-war Japan, Tsuyako lives a demanding life as a mill factory worker, obedient wife, and loving mother. When an old female lover, Yoshie, pays a surprise visit, Tsuyako finds herself entranced by the dream of a different life.
Oh Lucy!
Dir. Atsuko Hirayanagi. 2014. Japan. 21 min.
Setsuko, a 55-year-old single office lady in Tokyo, is given a blonde wig and a new identity, “Lucy,” by her young unconventional English instructor. “Lucy” awakens desires Setsuko never knew she had. When the instructor suddenly disappears, Setsuko must come to terms with what remains – herself.
Tickets / Box Office:
Phone: 212-517-2742
program 1 / program 2
Venue: Asia Society （725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021 at 70th Street）
Transportation: 68th St Station on subway line 6
Inquiry: info@nyjcf.com / 917-400-9362
About NYJCF – Founded in 2010 by two filmmakers, Yasu Suzuki, Kosuke Furukawa, and a producer, Hiroshi Kono to promote Japanese culture through films and to discover new filmmakers based in NY/US.
