The 17th edition of CAMERA JAPAN Film Festival is right around the corner and for the first time in three years there will be no COVID-19 related restrictions. They’ve recently presented their programme, which is filled with a variety of films, entertainment and workshops.
Let’s dive right into our list of 5 films we recommend you watch at CAMERA JAPAN.
Straying (2021)
When Hiro, a tabloid magazine reporter, and Ako, a manga creator, start talking about divorce, an argument quickly ensues about who should get custody of their cat Kanta. Before they can settle this, Kanta slips out of their home and doesn’t return. A film about romance, heartbreak and an adorable feline friend.
Directed by Imaizumi Rikiya, who is also known for Just One Love (2018) and Sad Tea (2013).
Screenings: Thursday 22 September – 17:00 (Rotterdam), Sunday 25 September – 22:00 (Rotterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 猫は逃げた | Neko ha nigeta
Broken Commandment (2022)
This film is an adaptation of the classic novel Hakai by Shimazaki Toson and is set during the Russo-Japanese War. After the infamous cast system has been gone for some time, there are still minority groups who are treated like second-class citizens. Among them are people from the burakumin group. Given the current climate, a teacher decides to hide his background as burakumin from his co-workers, afraid of being discriminated against. However, after reading the work of a fellow burakumin poet, the way he views his identity starts to change.
Directed by Maeda Kazuo, who is also known for Mimi wo Sumasu (2005) and Fevered Angels (1999).
Screenings: Friday 23 September – 15:45 (Rotterdam), Saturday 24 September – 19:15 (Rotterdam) | Tickets | Saturday 1 October – 14:15 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 破戒 | Hakai
The House of the Lost on the Cape (2021)
Yui, a teenage runaway, and Hiyori, an 8-year-old orphan, have nowhere to go when they run into a strange old lady named Kiwa. The old lady offers them a place to stay, an old and mysterious house. Both girls find some peace and quiet there, until some strange beings start to appear.
Directed by Kawatsura Shinya, who is also known for Sagrada Reset (2017) and Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless (2016).
Screenings: Saturday 24 September – 15:00 (Rotterdam), Sunday 25 September – 17:00 (Rotterdam) | Tickets | Saturday 1 October – 16:45 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 岬のマヨイガ | Mizaki no mayoiga
Wandering (2022)
Fumi is a 19-year-old university student, who lives by himself. This soon changes once he offers 10-year-old Sarase an umbrella and the girl ends up staying at his place for two months. They form a deep bond, until Fumi is suspected of kidnapping her. Fifteen years later, the two meet again.
Directed by Lee Sang-il, who is also known for Rage (2016) and Hula Girls (2006).
Screenings: Thursday 22 September – 16:00 (Rotterdam), Friday 23 September – 21:30 (Rotterdam) | Tickets | Thursday 29 September – 21:30 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 流浪の月| Rurō no tsuki
Anime Supremacy (2022)
Hitomi is determined to pursue a career in the anime industry and wants to inspire others. She soon finds out the industry is filled with impossible deadlines, tons of pressure, heavy competition and sexism. She struggles to find a way to succeed without compromising her artistic vision. Will she succeed? A fun and dramatic movie about the pressures of working in the anime industry.
Directed by Yoshino Kohei, also known for DIY Encouragement (2011) and Gone Wednesday (2020).
Screenings: Saturday 24 September – 19:30 (Rotterdam), Sunday 25 September – 22:00 (Rotterdam) | Tickets | Saturday 1 October – 19:00 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: ハケンアニメ！| Haken anime!
Other activities
CAMERA JAPAN offers a variety of workshops, exhibitions and performances as well. Once more there will be a special Kids’ Day, especially designed for their younger audiences. This year they’ll be able to play games, make their own zen garden and more. CAMERA JAPAN will offer a Kimono Dressing and Photoshoot, where you get to try on a kimono, furisode or hakama for an additional fee and take pictures. There will also be exhibitions by Maureen de Vries and Wijnand Driessen, and a performance by Kaiju Project. Plenty of activities to entertain you with and we haven’t even listed them all.
Make sure you check out CAMERA JAPAN’s full programme, as it contains even more films, shorts, workshops and more.
CAMERA JAPAN takes place from 22 to 25 September at LantarenVenster in Rotterdam. Then the festival will move to Amsterdam and stay there from 29 September to 2 October.
