The Embassy of Japan in Rwanda in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Kigali is organizing a Japanese film festival from the 25th of February until the 27th of February.

The Japanese film industry is one of the oldest and largest in the World. Japan's film history spans over 100 years and is currently ranked fourth in terms of national film production. Japan has also won the Academy award for the best foreign film four times, more than any other country in Asia. The Embassy of Japan and the Goethe-Institut are therefore very interested in promoting Japanese film in Rwanda. Six films will be screened over the course of three days.

WEDNESDAY, 25th of February, 6:00pm

INAUGURATION DAY

Official opening and reception of the Japanese film festival. The films Waterboys and Three for the Road will be screened successively. Attendance for the first day of the Japanese film festival is on invitation only.

THURSDAY, 26th of February, 6:00pm

THE CHEF OF SOUTH POLAR

Directed by Shuichi Okita (2009)| Original Japanese version with English subtitles, 125 min

Fine dining is on the menu at Dome Fuji Station, a Japanese research facility located in the frozen no-man's land of Antarctica. Based on the autobiographical essays by Chef Jun Nishimura, this quirky comedy tells the story of Nishimura, an extravagant cook who leaves his family behind to assist the expedition. Out in the middle of nowhere, Nishimura manages to cook extravagant meals like foie gras, spiny lobsters, and Matsuzaka beef.

8:10- 8:20 pm: Intermission

OSAKA HAMLET

Directed by Fujiro Mitsuishi (2008)| Original Japanese version with English subtitles, 107 min

Fuijrō's Mitsuishi's live action adaption of Hiromi Morishita's arwad winning manga Osaka Hamlet, intricately intertwines the coming of age stories of three brothers – Masashi, Yukio and Hiroki Kubo. The Kubo boys could not be more unalike. There is Masashi, a quiet bookish type who comes out of his shell in order to impress an older woman, Yukio a punkish junior high- school student who becomes fascinated with Hamlet, and Hiroki, a skinny sixth grader who wants to be a girl.

FRIDAY, 27th of February, 6:00pm

CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES

Directed by Makoto Shinkai (2011)| Original Japanese version with English subtitles, 116 min

The anime film, Children Who Chase Lost Voices centers on Asuna, a young girl who spends her days listening to the mysterious music from a crystal radio. This crystal radio is the last momenta from her father before he passed away. One day while listening to the music, Asuna is attacked by a fearsome creature and saved by a mysterious boy, Shun. Shun tells Asuna that he is from another country, Agartha. Asuna subsequently embarks on a journey to the Gate of Life and Death.

8:00- 8:10 pm: Intermission

SHODO GIRLS WATASHITACHI NO KOSHIEN

Directed by Ryuichi Inomata (2010)| Original Japanese version with English subtitles, 120 min

The coming-of-age film, Shodo Girls Watashitachi no Koshien is based on a true story, starring Riko Narumi as Satoko, a high school girl who is concerned with the decline of her town, Ehime. Ehime, a town formerly famous for its paper production has been hit hard by the recession. Satoko, becomes fascinated with calligraphy after watching her substitute teacher pain calligraphy on a large sheet of paper with an oversized brush. In order to promote calligraphy and restore her town to its former glory, Satoko organizes a calligraphy tournament.