Who’s ready for the 19th edition of CAMERA JAPAN Festival? This annual event has a full programme with over 40 films to watch and lots of workshops, exhibitions and entertainment. Of course, there will be plenty of tasty treats as well. The 2024 Rotterdam edition of CAMERA JAPAN Festival will start with a kick-off event at WORM, on the 25th of September. There will be a screening of Alien’s Daydream, directed by Matsumoto Yoshiki, followed by a performance by Tokyo-born, Berlin-based sound artist and performer Tot Onyx. From the 26th to the 29th of September the festival will take place in Rotterdam at LantarenVenster. The Amsterdam edition will take place at LAB111 from October 3rd to October 6th. There will also be two viewings of Masumura Yasuzo films at Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, on the 11th and the 14th of October.
Every year we share our list of five films that stand out to us. So here’s our list of five films you don’t want to miss at this year’s edition!
The Making of a Japanese (2023)
Schools in Japan differ from most other schools around the globe. Japanese society values discipline, diligence and politeness and those virtues are instilled in children from a very young age. This documentary offers a moving, funny and authentic insight into the Japanese education system, following elementary school students and their teachers for one year.
The director, Ema Ryan Yamazaki, herself was raised in Japan by her Japanese mother and British father, giving her a unique perspective, as she experienced both Japanese and Western cultures herself.
This film was directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
Screenings: Thursday 26 September – 12:15 (Rotterdam), Sunday 29 September – 12:45 (Rotterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 小学校～それは小さな社会～ | Shōgakkō sore ha chīsa na shakai
Genre: Documentary
All the Long Nights (2024)
A film about two colleagues, Misa and Takatoshi, both struggling with their own circumstances, coming together and building a deep bond. Misa has to cope with debilitating PMS and the stigma that surrounds it at work and Takatoshi has to deal with panic attacks. While their problems differ, the two find solace in each other.
This film was directed by Miyake Sho.
Screenings: Thursday 26 September – 16:30 (Rotterdam), Sunday 29 September – 19:30 (Rotterdam), Friday 4 October – 16:45 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 夜明けのすべて | Yoake no subete
Genre: Drama
Ichiko (2023)
A woman suddenly goes missing, after her boyfriend proposed to her. The mystery around her disappearance deepens, when he tries to file a missing persons report with the police, but is told there is no record of Ichiko. Enlisting the help of a detective, he slowly starts to uncover her tragic past, but the secrets he uncovers put her life at risk.
This film was directed by Toda Akihiro.
Screenings: Thursday 26 September – 19:00 (Rotterdam), Friday 27 September – 10:45 (Rotterdam), Thursday 3 October – 12:30 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 市子 | Ichiko
Genre: Thriller
Stay Mum (2024)
After a long-standing fued and estrangement from her father, Chisako Satoya returns to her hometown to take care of her father Kozo, who suffers from dementia. She also takes in an abused boy who has memory loss and she pretends to be his mother, to protect him. As they form their own little family, Chisako’s lies put them in the path of danger.
This film was directed by Sekine Kosai.
Screenings: Friday 27 September – 16:30 (Rotterdam), Sunday 29 September – 14:00 (Rotterdam), Saturday 5 October – 21:30 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: か | Kakushigoto
Genre: Drama
Ghost Cat Anzu (2024)
Anzu, a giant ghost cat, is asked by a monk to watch over Karin, an eleven-year-old girl who’s been abandoned by her father. Karin now lives with her grandfather, who is the monk who asked the ghost cat for help. As Karin, who is a strong-minded girl, and Anzu, the unpredictable feline, get to know each other the two from a friendship.
This film was directed by Kuno Yoko.
Screenings: Saturday 28 September – 17:00* (Rotterdam), Sunday 29 September – 19:30* (Rotterdam), Sunday 6 October – 17:15 (Amsterdam) | Tickets
Japanese Title: 化け猫あんずちゃん | Bakeneko Anzu chan
Genre: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy
*These screenings include a Q&A with the director.
Don’t forget to check out CAMERA Japan Festival’s full programme, which contains plenty of other films, activities and more.
