feature films
J Afterschool Anglers Club • 放課後アングラーライフ
JOJO Hideo • 城定秀夫 (Japan 2023 | 83 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.)
Mezashi transfers to a new school after being bullied. She vows not to make new friends to avoid getting hurt again. But when she is asked to join a fishing club, she slowly opens up. A heartwarmin.g film showing the importance of friendship.
* Alien’s Daydream • 地球星人（エイリアン）は空想する
MATSUMOTO Yoshiki • 松本佳樹 (Japan 2023 | 99 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.)
Eager for a change of work, journalist Uto investigates a past case about an alleged alien abduction. An offkilter, wacky mystery drama with plenty of stylistic experimentation to intrigue and entertain.
Wed . 25-09, 20:30 WORM / Rotterdam (Followed by the live concert by Tot Onyx.)
* All the Long Nights • 夜明けのすべて MIYAKE Sho • 三宅唱 (Japan 2024 | 118 min. | Colour Eng. sub.) A deep bond forms between Misa who struggles with debilitating PMS and Takatoshi who struggles with
and joy.
Thu. 26-09, 16:30 & Sun. 29-09, 19:30 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Fri. 04-10, 16:45 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* All the Songs We Never Sang Chris RUDZ • クリス・ルッツ (Japan 2023 | 115 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Rebellious teenager Natsumi leaves Tokyo to spend the summer with her estranged aunt to learn traditional pearl diving. She is hoping to find a treasure her mom left behind. An utterly charming, comedic dive into island life with loveable characters. (Filmbrunch film: Sun. 29-09, 12:30)
Thu. 26-09, 21:45 & Sun. 29-09, 12:30 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Fri. 04-10, 19:00 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Baby Assassins: Nice Days • ベイビーわるきゅーれ ナイスデイズ SAKAMOTO Yugo • 阪元裕吾 (Japan 2024 | 113 min| Colour | Eng. sub.) Guess who’s back all over again? Teenage assassins Chisato and Mahiro go on vacation, but run into their most dangerous opponent yet. With even better action choreography and more of a story, you’ll enjoy the ride even if you haven’t seen the first two films.
Fri. 27-09, 21:30 & Sat. 28-09, 10:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Fri. 04-10, 21:30 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* Bushido • 碁盤斬り SHIRAISHI Kazuya • 白石和彌 (Japan 2024 | 129 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) A poor ronin vows to take revenge when he is separated from his only daughter because of a false accusation. A surprisingly tender and atmospheric samurai drama with suspense, action and an unconventional focus on the game of go.
Thu. 26-09, 19:15 & Sat. 28-09, 12:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Fri. 04-10, 21:30 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Confession • 告白 コンフェッション YAMASHITA Nobuhiro • 山下敦弘 (Japan 2024 | 76 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Two old college pals go on a mountain trek in a blizzard and are forced to take shelter in an empty hut. Tensions rise into a breathtakingly intense acting duel, heightened by a hallucinatory visual style. A fascinating descent into hell, full of surprises.
Fri. 27-09, 17:00 (Q&A) & Sat. 28-09, 21:45 (Q&A) LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sun. 06-10, 21:30 Lab111 / Amsterdam
(Japan 2024 137 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) 21-year-old Kana has no real desire to achieve anything in life. She falls in love to kill time and easily swaps one boyfriend for another. The hilariously dry visual style and ingenious sound design convey her experience of claustrophobic conformity.
Fri. 27-09, 13:15 & Sun. 29-09, 19:30 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sat. 05-10, 18:45 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* Fly Me to the Saitama – From Biwa Lake with Love • 翔んで埼玉 〜琵琶湖より愛をこめて〜 TAKEUCHI
Hideki • 武内英樹 (Japan 2023 | 116 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.)
The Saitama Liberation Front continues to Saitama-ize all of Japan. They plan to create an inland sea and join the fight against the wicked, dictatorial Osakans. This anticipated sequel to a modern fable delivers in comedic absurdity and wacky charm.
Fri. 27-09, 19:30 & Sat. 28-09, 12:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Fri. 04-10, 19:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam * Desert of Namibia
* Great Absence • 大いなる不在
CHIKA-URA Kei • 近浦啓 (Japan 2023 | 133 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Takashi’s father suffers from dementia and his second wife is missing. To find out what happened, Takashi has to reconstruct his father’s life story from scattered fragments. A deft, complex and heart-wrenching journey through long-lost memories. Sat. 28-09, 16:45 & Sun. 29-09, 21:45 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sat. 05-10, 12:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
a
are
when a famous manga artist shows up and moves in with them. A funny, touching and subtle dramedy about adversity, autonomy and identity.
Fri. 27-09, 22:00 & Sun. 29-09, 22:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
* Ichiko • 市子
TODA Akihiro • 戸田彬弘 (Japan 2023 | 126 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.)
After her boyfriend proposes, Ichiko suddenly disappears. As he slowly uncovers her tragic past, the revelations put her life in danger. The important social themes in this gripping psychological thriller are revealed as the mystery unravels.
Thu. 26-09, 19:00 & Fri. 27-09, 10:45 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Thu. 03-10, 12:30 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Eng. sub.)
To avoid the risk of a humiliating punishment by his boss for finishing last at the annual karaoke party, a yakuza asks the leader of a high school chorus club to teach him to sing. A difficult task for the young teen in this highly entertaining musical comedy.
Sat. 28-09, 19:30 (Q&A) & Sun. 29-09, 14:45 (Q&A) LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sat. 05-10, 19:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* One Second Ahead, One Second Behind • 1秒先の彼 YAMASHITA Nobuhiro • 山下敦弘 (Japan 2023 119 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Postal worker Hajime is living life faster than most people around him. So fast that he completely loses one whole day. In his search for the lost time, he meets Reiko, who lives her life at a much slower pace in this magical, time-bending romcom. (The Opening Film: Thu.
Thu. 26-09, 13:00 & Sat. 28-09, 22:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Fri. 04-10, 13:45 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Fri. 27-09, 16:30 & Sun. 29-09, 14:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sat. 05-10, 21:30
27-09, 19:15 (Q&A)
J Till the Day I Can Laugh about My Blues
• ブルーを笑えるその日まで TAKEDA Karin • 武田かりん (Japan 2023 | 99 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Two teenage girls bond over their struggles with loneliness and isolation. They find comfort in each other’s company and spend the summer together. A sweet, delicate exploration of teenage vulnerabilities and the power of friendship to overcome adversity.
Sat. 28-09, 10:15 & Sun. 29-09, 17:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Worlds Apart • 違国日記
SETA Natsuki • 瀬田なつき (Japan 2023 | 139 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Shy 35-year-old Makio takes in her 15-year-old niece Asa after the girl’s parents suddenly die. A funny and delicate exploration of
performances. Fri. 27-09, 14:00 & Sat. 28-09, 19:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sun. 06-10, 16:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan• 仏師 SEKI Yujiro • 関勇二郎 (Japan 2023 | 98 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) A rare look into Buddhist woodcarving tradition and the struggle to preserve its legacy. A journey through a culture still defined by the master-apprentice relationship. Preceded by Whispers Through Time HIGA Asato (Japan 2024 | 5 min | Colour | Eng. sub.)
Fri. 27-09, 10:45 & Sun. 29-09 14:45 (online Q&A), LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
* The J-Horror Virus Sarah APPLETON & Jasper SHARP • サラ・アップルトン & ジャスパー・シャープ (UK 2023 | 95 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.)
An in-depth look at J-horror spanning the early origins, the present and the future of a typically Japanese genre. Interesting for novices and fans alike, the film features a peerless panel of experts, directors and actors.
Sat. 28-09, 14:45 (online Q&A) LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Sun. 06-10, 21:30 Lab111 / Amsterdam
J Gifts from the Kitchen • キッチンから花束を KIKUCHI Hisashi • 菊池久志 (Japan 2024 | 89 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) Fumin Mama owns a legendary Chinese restaurant in Tokyo. The documentary follows her journey from opening her first shop to passing on her legacy. A heartwarming tale of a humble chef and her love of creating delicious dishes.
Thu. 26-09, 14:30 & Sat. 28-09, 17:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Sat. 05-10, 12:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* The Making of a Japanese • 小学校〜それは小さな 社会〜 Ema RYAN YAMAZAKI • 山崎エマ (Japan/USA/France/Finland 2023 99 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) This fascinating documentary follows elementary school students and teachers in one school for a year providing a funny, moving and authentic insight into the Japanese education system from all aspects.
Thu. 26-09, 12:15 & Sun. 29-09, 12:45 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
* Ghost Cat Anzu • 化け猫あんずちゃん KUNO Yoko 久野遥子 & YAMASHITA Nobuhiro 山下敦弘 (Japan 2024 | 97 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) 11-year-old Karin is looked after by Anzu, a giant ghost cat, who can bridge the human world and that of the forest spirits of rural Japan. This delightful anime is both a sardonic, irreverent fable and a lovely, gentle coming-of-age story.
Sat. 28-09, 17:00 (Q&A) & Sun. 29-09, 19:30 (Q&A) LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sun. 06-10, 17:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes • 夏へのトンネル, さよならの出口
TAGUCHI Tomohisa • 田口智久 (Japan 2022 | 83 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.)
Two lonely teenagers find a magic tunnel that may grant their wishes to change their lives, but at a huge price. A captivating, heartfelt and beautifully animated fantasy drama reminiscent of SHINKAI Makoto’s work.
Fri. 27-09, 17:30 & Sat. 28-09, 12:30 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sun. 06-10, 15:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
* Who Said Death Is Beautiful? • 死が美しいなん て誰が言った NAKAJIMA Ryo • 中島良 (Japan 2023 | 68 min. | Colour | Eng. sub.) A no-budget anime for the more adventurous viewer. All humans are slowly getting infected in this dark and gripping zombie drama. A brother sets out to save his sister with the help of a doctor who might know more than she lets on. Sat. 28-09, 10:15 & Sun. 29-09, 22:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sun. 06-10, 14:30 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Sat. 28-09, 20:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Mon. 14-10, 19:00 Eye Filmmuseum / Amsterdam
Hoodlum Soldier • 兵隊やくざ
MASUMURA Yasuzo • 増村保造 (Japan 1965 | 103 min. | Black & White | Eng. sub.)
Two soldiers, a former gangster (KATSU Shintaro) and a pacifist intellectual, become unlikely friends during World War II. This immensely entertaining buddy comedy is a satire on Japan’s imperialism and hollow patriotism. An ode to survival and individualism.
Sun. 29-09, 19:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sat. 05-10, 14:00 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Kisses • くちづけ
MASUMURA Yasuzo • 増村保造 (Japan 1957 | 74 min. | Black & White | Eng. sub.) A delivery boy meets an artist’s model on a prison visit. They spend an enjoyable day together, falling in love at the races and the beach. A sublime, sincere snapshot of aimless, postwar Japanese youth, brimming with vitality and compassion.
Fri. 27-09, 22:15 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Fri. 04-10, 12:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
Nakano Spy School • 陸軍中野学校
MASUMURA Yasuzo • 増村保造
(Japan 1966 | 96 min. | Black & White | Eng. sub.)
In 1938, recruits for the Nakano Spy School have to cut themselves off from all contacts and change their personality. This taut, sober spy drama strips the genre of glamour and poses ethical questions about identity, institutionalisation and vocation in wartime.
Thu. 26-09, 22:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sun. 06-10, 12:15 Lab111 / Amsterdam
The Wife’s Confession • 妻は告白する
MASUMURA Yasuzo • 増村保造
(Japan 1961 | 91 min. | Black & White | Eng. sub.)
Ayako stands trial for the murder of her abusive husband in an unsettling, melodramatic film noir, anchored by one the most fascinating femmes fatales of all time. A morally and emotionally complex courtroom drama with a claustrophobic visual style.
Sun. 29-09, 10:30 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Fri. 11-10, 19:00 Eye Filmmuseum / Amsterdam
Live Concert
Wed. 25-09, 20:30, WORM / Rotterdam
The Art of Japanese Paper Making Japanese paper (washi) is known for its beauty, strength and durability. Although papermaking originated in China, Japan has elevated it to an art form. After the workshop, you will have a stack of unique handmade sheets of paper.
Fri. 27-09, 11:00, €65, LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Sat. 05-10, 13:00, €65, LAB111 / Amsterdam
Koto Workshop
Be inspired by the exquisite sound of the koto, the 13-string traditional instrument. A great opportunity to get to know the koto, learn some basic techniques and play a simple song. You can enjoy this workshop even if you have no musical experience.
Fri. 27-09, 10:00, €65, LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Onigiri Making Workshop When made with care, onigiri, a simple snack, not only fills your belly, it also fills your heart with tenderness. Join the workshop with Miss Onigiri and learn how much fun making onigiri is. The ingredients are vegan.
05-10, 18:30, €55, LAB111 / Amsterdam
ONK Japanese Language Festival
Interested in Japanese film and looking for an opportunity to practise your language skills guided by professional teachers and native speakers? Join the Japanese Language Festival! This edition focuses on the Japanese language in films
Sun. 29-09, 16:30, €8, LantarenVenster / Rotterdam (Tickets/reservations via www.orandanihongokyoshikai.nl)
Shibui Ramen Bowl Workshop
Join us for a ceramic workshop where we will explore the shibui philosophy by making a personalised ramen bowl. Shibui emphasises elegance and minimalism, evoking the quiet grace of simplicity through clean lines, gentle curves, and unassuming shapes.
Sat. 28-09, 15:00, €65, LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
(Preceded by the screening of Alien’s Daydream as part of the CAMERA JAPAN kick-off event.)
A Diary of Chuji’s Travels • 忠次旅日記 ITO Daisuke
(Japan 1927 | 111 min. | Black & White | Eng. sub.)
(Screened with live music by the Rotterdam Kinematic Ensemble ) Tot Onyx Tot Onyx is a Tokyo-born, Berlin-based sound artist and performer who loves to work with metal objects and her body. She is known for breaking the preconceptions of live performance by incorporating her body, live-painting, noise and poetry. She rejects tradition and cliché, and embraces experimentation.
Chuji is a principled outlaw who rebels against the rigid social structure of Edo era Japan. A newly restored silent yakuza film with an avant-garde visual style and spectacular action. Fri. 27-09, 19:30 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam
Sun. 29-09, 13:00 LantarenVenster / Rotterdam Kids’ Day
A special afternoon for our youngest visitors aged 4+. Come experience Japanese culture through craft activities and traditional games.The afternoon ends with a specially curated film programme with no dialogue. The tickets need to be purchased for participating children only.
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