The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023,

About

Book you tickets here:
ICA, London ​https://ica.art/films/japan-foundation-touring-film-programme-2023

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme marks its 20th edition with a celebration of Japanese cinema across the last 20 years – from much-loved masterpieces from the recent past to just-released future classics.

The theme for this year’s Touring Film Programme is The Evolution of Japanese Cinema: Where has Japanese filmmaking come from? Where does it sit in today’s cinema world? And where might Japanese filmmakers head next? From veteran directors to new and emerging talent, the season features some the finest cinematic works to emerge from Japan since the first Touring Film Programme in 2004.

***

Film Line-up

Under the Open Sky (Subarashiki sekai)

NISHIKAWA Miwa, 2021, 126 min

Former murderer Mikami (YAKUSHO Koji) is released from prison and tries to re-adapt to society. Intrigued by his life, a TV crew follows Mikami’s struggles and relationships with others. Can people with a criminal past truly become accepted?

*

Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue (Eiga Yozora wa itsudemo saikomitsudo no aoiro da)

ISHII Yuya, 2017, 108 min

Mika (ISHIBASHI Shizuka) deals with death as a nurse and works at a girls’ bar at night. Shinji (IKEMATSU Sosuke) is a construction worker who constantly experiences inexplicable loneliness. The path of two lost souls meet under the Tokyo night sky, developing feelings for each other.

*

Tsuyukusa (Tsuyukusa)

HIRAYAMA Hideyuki, 2022, 95 min

On the surface, middle-aged Fumi (KOBAYASHI Satomi) lives happily in a seaside town surrounded by her like-minded co-workers. However, she hides an inner sorrow and hesitates to move forward with her life… that is, until she meets a man with past. Can she take a step forward with a little bit of bravery?

*

Till We Meet Again (Mata au hi made)

IMAI Tadashi, 1950, 111 min

During the Second World War, Saburo (OKADA Eiji) and Keiko (KUGA Yoshiko) make their first encounter in an underground bomb shelter. From the moment they fall in love the clock starts ticking on their time together – and soon, Saburo receives a call-up notice, leaving their fate uncertain.

*

Intolerance (Kuhaku)

YOSHIDA Keisuke, 2021, 107 min

A junior high school girl (ITO Aoi) has a fatal accident after running away from a shop manager (MATSUZAKA Tori) who caught her shoplifting. The enraged father (FURUTA Arata) starts hunting down the ones to blame, unable to accept 4 his loss and his daughter’s misdeed.

*

It Comes (Kuru)

NAKASHIMA Tetsuya, 2018, 134 min

Hideki (TSUMABUKI Satoshi) seems to have a perfect life with his wife (KUROKI Haru). One day, Hideki receives a message from an unknown visitor – and then the haunting begins. A deeply unsettling exorcism film that pushes Japan’s horror genre to a new level.

*

Ito (Itomichi)

YOKOHAMA Satoko, 2021, 116 min

Ito (KOMAI Ren), a talented shamisen player, is so shy that she has hardly any friends or a social life. To change this, she decides to start a part-time job at a maid café, much to her father’s dismay. Can she ever change herself? Enjoy the shamisen performances and the unique Tsugaru dialect.

*

The Million Ryo Pot (Tange Sazen yowa: Hyakuman ryo no tsubo)

YAMANAKA Sadao, 1935, 92 min

A pot containing a secret map for treasure has been sold to a junk dealer and then sold again to an orphan, who uses it as a goldfish bowl. As everyone greedily chases after the pot, Tange Sazen (OKOCHI Denjiro), who works as a bodyguard, stumbles upon the frenzied search, knowing nothing about the secrets of the pot.

*

Angry Son (Sekai wa bokura ni kizukanai)

IIZUKA Kasho, 2022, 112 min

Jungo (HORIKE Kazuki) is an angry boy, and his main source of resentment is his Filipina mother (Gow). Growing up in a single-parent household and not knowing his own father, he feels marginalised and cannot even form a solid relationship with his boyfriend. Can he ever find a place to belong?

*

The Past is Always New, the Future is Always Nostalgic: Photographer Daido Moriyama (Kako wa itsumo atarashiku, mirai wa tsuneni natsukashii: Shashinka Moriyama Daido)

IWAMA Gen, 2021, 112 min

Despite his international acclaim, iconic photographer MORIYAMA Daido’s methods and everyday life have been shrouded in mystery. This documentary film follows the reprint project of his debut photo book, offering an insightful glimpse of aspects of the photographer.

*

BL Metamorphosis (Metamorufoze no engawa)

KARIYAMA Shunsuke, 2022, 118 min

Despite a massive age gap and different cultural backgrounds, could an unexpected friendship arise from a shared interest? Urara (ASHIDA Mana) and Yuki (MIYAMOTO Nobuko), a girl and a woman with a fifty-eight year age difference between them, bond over BL (Boys Love manga), a distinct and popular manga genre.

*

Hold Me Back (Watashi wo kuitomete)

OHKU Akiko, 2020, 133 min

Thirty-one-year-old Mitsuko (Non) enjoys her not-so-lonely solo life on the surface, holding conversaHtions in her head with her own internal adviser (NAKAMURA Tomoya). But her peaceful single life takes a sudden turn after falling in love with Tada (HAYASHI Kento).

*

Lesson in Murder (Shikei ni itaru yamai)

SHIRAISHI Kazuya, 2022, 128 min

After receiving a letter from the worst serial killer (ABE Sadawo) in history, Masaya’s (OKADA Kenshi) university days build to a crescendo of nauseating dread as he learns the cruel truth. A terrific psychodrama plays out as Masaya investigates the murderer’s last crime, diving deep into the criminal’s mind.

*

Joint (JOINT)

KOJIMA Oudai, 2021, 118 min

A former criminal, Takeshi (YAMAMOTO Ikken), dips his toe once more into criminal activities by becoming involved with the illegal use of personal data. Soon, his life is tangled up in a yakuza war. This stylish film serves as an example of how 21st century Japanese noir films should be. 

*

Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me? (Sensei, watashi no tonari ni suwatte itadakemasenka?)

HORIE Takahiro, 2021, 119 min

The marriage between manga artist Sawako (KUROKI Haru) and her cheating husband Toshio (EMOTO Tasuku) is on the verge of rampage. Instead of confronting her husband directly, Sawako uses her creative talents: writing a new manga about adultery. And so, begins a psychological game of cat and mouse.

*

SAMURAI HUSTLE (Chokosoku! Sankin kotai)

MOTOKI Katsuhide, 2014, 119 min

Set in eighteenth century Japan, a small samurai clan is at crisis point when the shogunate threatens to confiscate their lands. Leader of the clan Naito Masaatsu (SASAKI Kuranosuke) makes desperate efforts to accomplish a mission which is considered impossible! Will he be able to succeed?

*

My Broken Mariko (My Broken Mariko)

TANADA Yuki, 2022, 85 min

Tomoyo (NAGANO Mei) has lost her best friend Mariko (Nao) to suicide. Caught up in a constant whirlwind of memories, Tomoyo embarks on a journey with Mariko’s ashes to fulfil her friend’s dream. An emotionally challenging film depicting trauma and abuse in our modern world.

*

Wandering (Rurou no tsuki)

LEE Sang-il, 2022, 150 min

Two lonely souls - ten-year-old girl Sarasa and nineteen-year-old university student Fumi (MATSUZAKA Tori), live together in peace until Fumi is arrested for kidnapping. Fifteen years later, they meet again, all the while nursing their own pasts and painful secrets...

*

What a Wonderful Family! (Kazoku wa tsuraiyo)

YAMADA Yoji, 2016, 108 min

The happy family is in panic. Shuzo (HASHIZUME Isao) and his wife Tomiko (YOSHIYUKI Kazuko) have been married for fifty years. But all his wife wants for her birthday… is a divorce. A ‘family conference’ is held which only makes things even more chaotic…

*

Blue Thermal (Blue Thermal)

TACHIBANA Masaki, 2022, 103 min

Tamaki (voiced by HOTTA Mayu) is a university fresher and a member of the aviation club. Reluctant at first, but gradually gaining her love for flying, Tamaki faces many emotional ups and downs. A rather unusual coming-of-age animation set in the world of aviation, with spectacular depictions of the sky for viewers to enjoy.

*

Goodbye Cruel World (Goodbye Cruel World)

OMORI Tatsushi, 2022, 127 min

A one-time robbery job by a group of five strangers ends in success. Obtaining a great sum of money, the five are engulfed in a chaotic war between yakuza, police and politicians … all coming after their money. In this stylish noir film, who is friend and who is foe?

**

Major Supporter: The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Sponsors in Kind: SUQQU, athletia, Clearspring

Cultural Partners: Japan Airlines, The Japan Society