JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2021
It is time for the highlight of the Japanese movie season with The Japan Foundation! The highly anticipated Japanese Film Festival (JFF) returns after over a year-long hiatus and will continue to provide film lovers with the best of Japanese films at selected Golden Screen Cinemas nationwide, from 6 to 23 January 2022.Showcasing new and acclaimed Japanese films from various genres, this year’s film screening will satisfy the cinematic cravings of those disappointed by the cancellation of JFF 2020, and welcome newcomers to experience the charms of the Japanese cinema. JFF 2021 was initially planned for a September 2021 launch but was brought forward to January 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.From family and drama to animation and comedy, the selection of 13 films will capture hearts and minds of audiences from all ages. The month-long celebration will feature four (4) films released in 2021, “It’s a Summer Film!” directed by MATSUMOTO Soushi,“Liar x Liar” by director YAKUMO Saiji, thriller “The Night Beyond The Tricornered Window” by MIROGAKI Yukihiro, and “Moonlight Shadow” directed by Malaysian film director Edmund Yeo.All films presented will be in Japanese with English subtitles. Festival goers will also be able to enjoy the festival and collect rewards along the way. Watch any of the festival movies to earn stamps that you can use to redeem exclusive goodies.A complete listing of JFF film synopses, showtimes, and general information is available at https://www.jfkl.org.my/events/jff-2021 and http://gsc.com.my*All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles.**Due to the current situation, JFF 2021 will be adhering to the SOPs during its entire run in Malaysia.Movie Line Up 1. One Summer Story (子供はわかってあげない)Synopsis : Sakuta Minami is a second grader who swims for the school team. During her backstroke practice one day, she sees a picture of “Koteko”, the protagonist of a cult TV anime series, "Buffalo Koteko is the Magical Plasterer" which she is a big fan of being drawn by Moji Shohei, another second grader and the youngest son of a calligraphy instructor who is also an avid fan. One day during their summer vacation, she unexpectedly starts a journey to find her missing father with Shohei joining her along the way.2. STEP (ステップ)Synopsis : 30 year-old Takeda Kenichi lost his wife Tomoko who passed away at a very young age and decided to raise his 2-year old daughter, Miki by himself. He encounters various problems and obstacles but with the kind support by the people around them and the spirit of Tomoko, which he believes that still stays in the house, Kenichi strives to get over the problems.3. Talking the Pictures (カツベン!)Synopsis : SHUNTARO Sometani is a young man who dreams to be a benshi (performer who provides live narration to silent films). 10 years later, Shuntaro is now serving a roving band of thieves as a fake benshi. When his boss is captured. He escapes and finds refuge in a provincial theater, the Aokikan. There, he proves his skills as a benshi but his rapid rise has made a rival benshi envious. He also meets his childhood crush once again but he then finds himself on the run once again…4. The Fable (ザ・ファブル)Synopsis: As his nickname implies, the Fable is an enigmatic assassin who terrorizes the underworld. He then gets an order from his boss to live the life of a normal man for one year. In incognito, the Fable is given the name, "Sato Akira" and his partner is "Yoko" start their new lives as a regular brother and sister with a pet parakeet and part-time work. He begins to enjoy a normal life but trouble comes looking for him. The Fable must survive a life-or-death situation without killing anyone. Can he ever get his peaceful life back?5. We Make Antiques! Kyoto Rendezvous (嘘八百 京町ロワイヤル)Synopsis: They have an eye for antiques. They’re competent. And their hearts are (more or less) in the right place. KOIKE Norio, an antique dealer, and NODA Sasuke, a potter, is reunited in Kyoto for some reason. This “antiques duo” become infatuated with a tragic kimono beauty whose father’s keepsake was swindled from her, and in order to help the damsel in distress, they plan a one-shot, comeback con game on a bigshot antiques dealer.6. It’s a Summer Film! (サマーフィルムにのって)Synopsis: Hadashi, a high schooler, is obsessed with old Japanese samurai films. When her film club rejects her samurai film project, she decides to gather her friends and craft the film on her own terms. She convinces a reluctant young man into playing the lead and they begin their shoot but is faced with one problem after another. Will they be able to finish the film? What's more is that this young man might be from the future?An innovative coming-of-age masterpiece that incorporates elements of science fiction while providing a fresh look at young people who are serious about filmmaking. Packed with action, romance and suspense—this film exudes with so much passion towards the movies that any film fan is bound to get excited by it. ITO Marika, a former member of a famous idol group who is also active as an artist, plays the dynamic Hadashi, and her charm shines in the film. Look forward to the emotional final scene!7. MIO’S COOKBOOK (みをつくし料理帖)Synopsis: After a catastrophic flood, a young girl Miho, leaves her hometown of Osaka to work in a restaurant in Edo. She is blessed with great talent, but is troubled by the difference in taste between Osaka and Edo, and toils to find a solution. Meanwhile, she learns that her best friend, Noe, is in Edo but she is rarely allowed to see her because of her lowly status.Set in Japan about 200 years ago, this entertaining period drama refreshingly portrays the bond between Miho, who stakes her life on cooking, and Noe, who has become a courtesan (high-class geisha) in Yoshiwara, Japan's largest red-light district. The Edo period (that spanned 200 years from 17th to 19th century) was a time of relative peace and cultural maturity in Japan, and the meticulously prepared dishes in the film seem to represent the "iki” spirit of Japanese culture. It is also said it was not easy back then for even a lord to meet a courtesan of the highest caliber.8. MASKED WARD (仮面病棟)Synopsis: Hayami, a doctor, takes a midnight shift at a hospital he works at for the first time. Suddenly, a supermarket robber brings in a woman he shot during his getaway. The robber holes himself up in the hospital and prowls inside the building. Hayami tries to find out what the robber wants, but there’s something suspicious about the hospital itself and the director and nurses do not feel trustworthy—it is as if everybody is operating behind a mask. Hiding from the robber, Hayami begins to investigate the hospital and discovers patients that are not on the records and an operating room that should not exist. The revelations eventually lead him to a surprising truth.A tense mystery film set in the eerie confines of a hospital, where a chilling psychological battle unfolds and eventually leads into a chain of surprising twists. The film is an adaptation of a bestselling book written by a real-life doctor, and features two of Japan's leading young actors, SAKAGUCHI Kentaro and NAGANO Mei.9. Liar × Liar (ライアー×ライアー)Synopsis: Minato is a university student and has a fear of germs. She isn't interested in looking pretty. She lives with her stepbrother Toru, who is handsome and a player. Minato is uncomfortable with Toru and his ways with women. They have an agreement, where Toru will not approach Minato within 2 meters when they are outside. One day, Minato puts on make-up and wears her friend’s high school uniform. She happens to meet Toru and lies to him about her identity. Toru falls in love with her at first sight.10. Poupelle of Chimney Town (映画 えんとつ町のプペル)Synopsis :Poupelle of Chimney Town is the breathtaking story of young Lubicchi and a man made of garbage, Poupelle. Living among the thick smoke from the chimneys of his isolated town, Lubicchi yearns to see the “stars” — to know the truth — his father always told him about. Spectacularly beautiful, Poupelle of Chimney Town is filled with inspiring performances and splendid music and sound effects, and produced at Tokyo's famed Studio 4ºC.11. The Night Beyond The Tricornered Window (さんかく窓の外側は夜)Synopsis: At first glance, bookstore employee MIKADO Kosuke appears to be an ordinary young man, but he has in fact been plagued from an early age with the unique ability to see the spirits of the dead. One day, he is visited at work by exorcist HIYAKAWA Rihito, who tells him: “When you’re with me, there’s nothing to fear.”Mikado and Hiyakawa begin working together as exorcists for hire. They are soon contacted by police detective Hanzawa, who enlists their help in investigating a spate of serial murders from the year before. Their search eventually leads them to a missing body, which turns out to be cursed. As they delve further into the mystery, they hear the voice of the dead murderer time and time again, who reveals a vital clue: “I was tricked...by HIURA Erika ...” Hiyakawa has heard this name several times before during previous exorcisms. Who on earth is this woman? What is she trying to achieve? Can Mikado and Hiyakawa solve this case...?When the occult detective duo eventually cross paths with Erika, their three destinies are set in motion...12. Moonlight Shadow (ムーンライト・シャドウ)Synopsis: Banana Yoshimoto's "Moonlight Shadow", which has been translated in more than 30 countries around the world, has been adapted for the screen by Edmund Yeo. The film depicts how a woman, who suddenly lost her loved one, overcomes her grief and moves on to the future when she learns about the mysterious phenomenon that she may be able to see the dead again.13. Theatre: A Love Story (劇場)Synopsis: The film tells a story about Nagata, a clumsy unsellable theater director and his brave lover Saki who purely loves him. Their romance began when Nagata spoke to Saki and noticed that he wore the same sneakers as her. Saki dreams of being an actress, makes her move to Tokyo and pursues a fashion degree. Nagata has no money and decides to live with Saki. Nagata cherishes Saki but devotes himself in theaters to fill the gaps between his ideals and reality leading to Saki's loneliness.GiveawayAll Thanks to The Japan Foundation , we are giving away tickets to JFF2021 using “promo code” valid through GSC e-Ticketing Kiosk, GSC e-payment at http://gsc.com.my or GSC Mobile Apps from 12:00 PM, 4 January 2022 (Tuesday) onwards.*Note: Promo Code entitles the holder to redeem one (1) movie ticket per booking. Valid throughout the JFF 2021 period from 6 to 23 January 2022. Redemption Details: Readers to redeem tickets by using “promo code” during ticket purchase for JFF 2021 through GSC e-Ticketing Kiosk, GSC e-payment at gsc.com.my or GSC Mobile Apps from 12:00 PM, 4 January 2022 (Tuesday) onwards. Redemption is on a first-served basis. Valid for the first 20 redemptions, while stock last. T&C 1. Valid for Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2021 movies only. 2. Valid for GSC Mid Valley Megamall, GSC 1 Utama, GSC NU Sentral, GSC Gurney Plaza, GSC Paradigm Mall JB, GSC CityONE Megamall, Kuching & GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 3. Each promo code offers 1 (ONE) movie ticket x 1 redemption for each transaction. 4. Subject to JFF 2021 ticket availability, on a first-come, first-served basis. 5. Valid until 23 January 2022. 6. Select “Payment Method” & Apply “Promo Code”. 7. The promo codes are not inclusive of booking fees & surcharges. 8. The promo codes are not exchangeable for cash. 9. Not valid with any ongoing promotions, vouchers and or privilege cards. 10. GSC will not held responsible for any loss/damage of the promo code.