September is upon us which means it is time for TIFF – The Toronto International Film Festival. As TIFF turns 40 this year, its ramping up for one of its strongest years ever. And of course seven Japanese film makers join the line up in some of this year’s highly anticipated films. The festival runs this year from Sept 10th-20th, so be sure to check out some of the following Japanese films.
Starting with Midnight Madness is Takahasi Miike’s “Yakuza Apocalypse”
The Osaka Filmaker of 13 Assassins returns with this gonzo action packed film. From vampire Yakuzas, volcanoes, to knitting circles, this films certainly has them all.
The Master’s film “Our Little Sister: Umimachi Diary” by Hirokazu Kore-eda is a family drama about three siblings who discovery after the death of their father that they have a step-sister. This film reviewed at Cannes can best be described as a heartbreaking masterpiece.
Under Contemporary World Cinema, three films make the cut; “An” by Naomi Kawase, “Journey to the Shore” by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and “The Whispering Star” by Sion Sono.
“An” is a quiet drama about a lonely baker whose life is rejuvenated by the addition of an elderly woman with the culinary skill to make delicious anko for the shop’s dorayaki. Naomi Kawase is known for her graceful dramas highlighting the essence of natural beauty.
From the director of “Tokyo Sonada” comes another super-natural ghost story “Journey to the Shore”, that follows the voyage a young widow undertakes with her dead husband. The film is a bit slow, but can be intriguing in its depictions into the Japanese perspectives of after-life.
If you really want to see something different and imaginative, see “The Whispering Star”, which is a sci-fi film that follows a humanoid robot delivery woman who drops off parcels around the galaxy. The really unique thing about this film, is that the alien landscape shot in it are actually evacuated areas of Fukushima, starring amateur actors affected by the nuclear disaster in the area.
Kimie Tanaka’s second short film will appear in the festival, “Hide and Seek“. From the trailer, it would seem this 22 minute film covers some serious and dark subject matter revolving a male nurse’s decision he makes regarding his shut-in brother. The films is part of Short Cut Programme 10 focusing on 7 international films with characters in over their heads.
In the TIFF Kids spotlight is “The Boy and the Beast” by Mamoru Hosada. This stunning animated fantasy takes the audience into an alternate reality where a young boy becomes an apprentice to a bear warrior.
“Imbisibol” is directed by Filipino filmmaker Lawrence Fajardo but takes place in Japan. It revolves around the lives and struggles of Filipino migrant workers in Japan working in under-ground industries in order to survive.