Eiga Sai 2015

Every year at this time I am reminded how quickly time passes. This time last year I was having a really tough time and attending these film festivals was my therapy of sorts – somehow my worries then seem so naive when I think about it now. It is a curious feeling remembering your old self like they're separate from you. It sure is nostalgic.

But I digress, so – once again it is time for Eiga Sai.  I have attended this festival for 4 years now – and have amassed quite a lot of movies on my hard drive – which further validates how hooked I am on Japanese movies . :p My favorite genre are the ones with simple story-lines where nothing much really happens in the story – perfect example is Tamako in Moratorium. It's like watching snippets of someone's life – it is that gut wrenching slowness of life filled with emotion and drama mixed with good cinematography that has me coming back for more. ♪( ^-^)/

On with the lineup, hmn this year looks promising. .....

Wood Job is a coming of age film about Yuki Hirano who failed his college entrance exam and decides to enter the forestry service. Expect comedy and light drama. What I find engaging in stories like this is the celebration towards an unconventional career path (i.e. employee, lawyer, nurse, etc.) basically if you have a talent and heart for something and you do that work the best that you can (concept of Kodawari) then you are living a good life. Maybe because I also view my future in this way, they remind me to keep going and to walk my own path. (trailer)

Parasyte is a sci-film film about alien parasites infecting humans and invading their bodies and minds. One boy is able to fight it off and now the parasite lives on his right hand. Japanese mystery films (and even their drama series) are really good – they come up with bizarre plot lines and next thing you know you're in for an interesting ride. You never know how the story will twist and turn. So this is a definite must-watch. (trailer)

Eiga Sai 2014

Another year gone and it's time for Eiga Sai. I just went to my first screening last Friday. A lot has changed. It used to be just us geeks-the japanoholics-now I see normal people (lol so we're not normal?!). Anyway it was fun to watch movies alone again. It's just you and the movie in front of you. Ahhh but seriously I am going to pick where I sit carefully next time. I suffered through 2 hours of BO. (Ewww mura lang po ang deodorant!)

And so here are the movies I'm planning to see this year:

Tamako in Moratorium reflects what happens after college graduation. As Tamako figures things out slowly -passing four seasons and with no real goals ahead- the movie also shows her relationship with her father and with various characters in the neighborhood. I love the idleness of the scenes. Typical of what I love about Japanese movies.

Schedule: July 08 - 7:30pm / July 12 - 1:30pm // TRAILER

The Kirishima Thing is a typical high school drama. Their world is shaken by the sudden absence of Kirishima - the popular high school volleyball player. I haven't seen it yet but I just know this is going to be a tearjerker. Japanese high school films are typically full of angst.

Schedule: July 06 - 1:30 pm / July 11 - 4:30pm // TRAILER

Momoiro sora o (About the pink sky) tells the story of Izumi who finds a wallet filled with cash. Realizing it belongs to the son of a corrupt politician she decides to make "better use" of it by lending it to a struggling business man. She decides to return the rest of the money though and the owner quickly finds out about the missing money.

What I'm most excited about is that it was shot in black and white.

Schedule: July 08 - 4:30pm // TRAILER

A Story of Yonosuke - well the title says it all. It tells how Yonosuke affected people who knew him. A very short description, I guess saying more will tell the whole story. So let's just watch the movie! :)

Schedule: July 06 - 7:30pm / July 09 - 7:30 // TRAILER

 The rest of the movies and schedules can be downloaded here.

2013 Eiga Sai

Oh hi! I'm still alive. Haha ( ^-^)/ I passed product training and nesting. I'll be with my new team tomorrow. I've been spending all my extra time studying and practicing but I was told I'm stressing myself too much carrying work into my personal time. So for my two-day off, I ate and slept. Good lord!!! All the pounds I lost during work I easily gain back in 2 days. ;3 Anyway, starting this week I plan on getting back to my old routine - blogging, reading and crafting.

Also I totally forgot about Eiga Sai!!! I'm 1 week late.  （￣◇￣)ゞ I'm planning on catching a few before I go to work this week. Rinco's Restaurant sounds like the type of film I like - slow and inspiring. Kamui Gaiden has Matsuyama Kenichi in it so definitely-watching!! I might check out Dear Doctor as well, though I already downloaded the film many months ago. I just never got around to watching it. XD

Click photos above to view in full size. Also check the screening schedule here!

2012 Eiga Sai

*yey* Just got the update. How time flies~ and it's time for another Eiga Sai!

For those not familiar with Eiga Sai, it's an annual film festival organized by Japan Foundation Manila. This year they will be showing 10 films for free at Shang Cineplex Cinema 4 (July 5 to 15), Gaisano South Citimall, Davao City (July 20 to 22), Ayala Center Cinema 4, Cebu City (August 7 to 12) and UP Film Institute, Quezon City (August 15 to 21).

All movies have English subtitles.

You can see a detailed screening schedule on JFM website. Check it check it!

I thought I was going to sit through another set of film I didn't like. I gave up halfway last year (although that's also because I hated the long commute towards the venue).