The UK’s largest festival of Japanese cinema, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (JFTFP24), returns with its biggest showcase ever and, this year, is coming to The Ultimate Picture Palace.
Since 2004, the Japan Foundation, London has been organising an annual Japanese film programme in close partnership with distinguished film venues and programme advisors in the UK. Each year, from recently released contemporary films to classics and anime, the Japan Foundation showcase a selection of titles which otherwise do not have an opportunity to be screened in the UK. These titles are curated under a carefully chosen theme to highlight trends in Japanese cinema and showcase the versatility and uniqueness displayed by its filmmakers. This year the theme is ‘Unforgettable: Memories, Times and Reflections in Japanese Cinema’.
As part of this year’s UK tour, the UPP is showing four titles over four weeks in March: award-winning psychological thriller A Man; sci-fi comedy Mondays: See You ‘This’ Week!; bittersweet drama Ripples; and Hideo Jojo’s heartfelt tribute to independent cinemas Twilight Cinema Blues. Full listing below.
Want to see all four films for the price of three? We have a limited number of festival passes on sale. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A LIMITED FESTIVAL PASS.
A Man
Directed by ISHIKAWA Kei. 2022, 121 min. Starring: TSUMABUKI Satoshi, ANDO Sakura, KUBOTA Masataka, MASHIMA Hidekazu.
A recent divorcee returns to her hometown and promptly falls in love. However, fate plays a cruel trick when her new husband tragically dies leaving behind a perplexing web of secrets. Based on Keiichiro Hirano’s bestselling novel, Kei Ishikawa’s gripping psychological crime thriller swept the 2023 Japanese Academy Awards, winning eight awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Wednesday 6th March 6pm – click here to book tickets.
Mondays: See You ‘This’ Week!
Directed by TAKEBAYASHI Ryo. 2022, 82 min. Starring: MARUI Wan, MAKITA Sports, SHUHAMA Harumi, OSAMURA Koki.
A group of office workers come to release that their lives are stuck in an endless loop Mondays. The only way to stop the cycle? To convince their oblivious boss. Groundhog Day meets Office Space in this sci-fi comedy brimming with twists, turns, and PowerPoint presentations. Wednesday 13th March 8.30pm – click here to book tickets.
©2022 “RIPPLES” Film Partners
Ripples
Directed by OGIGAMI Naoko. 2022, 120 min. Starring: TSUTSUI Mariko, MITSUISHI Ken, ISOMURA Hayato, ANDO Tamae.
A woman whose husband and adult son suddenly leave her all alone to care for her ailing step-father turns to a new religious cult for comfort. However, her newfound tranquility is disrupted when her estranged family members suddenly reappear. Directed by Naoko Ogigami, one of Japan’s prolific women directors, this bittersweet drama highlights the pressing social challenges faced by everyday people. Wednesday 20th March 6pm – click here to book tickets.
Twilight Cinema Blues
Directed by JOJO Hideo. 2022, 99 min. Starring: KOIDE Keisuke, FUKIKOSHI Mitsuru, UNO Shohei, FUJIWARA Sakura.
When a young penniless filmmaker befriends a homeless film lover, the two become involved with a local independent cinema. Hideo Jojo’s heartfelt tribute to cinema unfolds as a delightful tragicomedy, exploring themes of self-discovery, human connection, and the resilience of small communities. Wednesday 27th March 8.30pm – click here to book tickets.
Want to see all four films for the price of three? We have a limited number of festival passes on sale. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A LIMITED FESTIVAL PASS.
