SUMMER VACATION WITH NAOMI KAWASE
2003, Japan, 67 min, Colour, Digital, PG
Directed by MATSUE Tetsuaki

FILM SCREENINGS - 31st August

EVERY JAPANESE WOMAN
MAKES HER OWN CURRY
2003, Japan, 30 min, Colour, Digital, PG
Directed by MATSUE Tetsuaki

When construction work forces Matsue from his apartment, he calls several young female acquaintances and invites himself to their homes to film them cooking curry rice, the only dish his first girlfriend could muster and Matsue’s favourite dish. A playful, cheeky work.

Distribution: Planet Studyo Plus One


SCREENING · 31 Aug Sun 11.00am (Part of a DOUBLE-BILL screening)

EMBRACING
1992, Japan, 40 min, Colour, Digital, PG
Directed by KAWASE Naomi

Setting out on a journey to find her father with her only clues being the family register and a photo, then-23 year-old Kawase Naomi confronts her “solitariness by birth”

> Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 1995 - Special Mention FIPRESCI Prize

Distribution: Kumie Inc.

SCREENING · 31 Aug Sun 2.15pm (Part of a DOUBLE-BILL screening)

SKY, WIND, FIRE, WATER, EARTH
2001, Japan, 55 min, Colour, Digital, PG
Directed by KAWASE Naomi

“Your father passed away. Give us a call immediately.”

More than a year after her father’s death, and 8 years after the events of EMBRACING, Kawase watches that documentary with her friends as if in mourning. Interrupting this experience are repetitive, momentary interviews of people who were involved with her father before his death, including her real mother and grandmother. Suddenly, Kawase decides to get the same tattoo her father bore throughout his life in an attempt to develop some kind of bond. Blurring the line between documentary and fiction, the film asks of the audience: “What is love for you?”

(The title Kya Ka Ra Ba A is a Buddhist term, kya – the sky, ka – wind, ra – fire, ba – water, and a – earth, all of which, altogether, means the world composed of those elements.)

Distribution: Kumie Inc.

SCREENING · 31 Aug Sun 2.15pm (Part of a DOUBLE-BILL screening)

THE MOURNING FOREST
2007, Japan, 99 min, Colour, 35mm, PG
Directed by KAWASE Naomi

SAKURAN
2006, Japan, 111 min, Colour, 35mm, R21
Directed by NINAGAWA Mika

Kawase’s Grand Prix winner is a poignant tale of the unexpected connections between two individuals grappling with grief and loss. Shigeki is an elderly man grieving for his long dead wife. He suffers from dementia and is confined to a nursing home. While there he befriends young nurse Machiko, haunted by the loss of her child. One day Machiko takes Shigeki for a countryside drive on his birthday. When the car lands in a ditch, they embark on an unexpected journey of discovery. This eloquent story unfolds against the lush and tranquil setting of western Japan, where Kawase’s natural touch as a filmmaker creates an inner geography of emotion.

Distribution: Celluloid Dreams

SCREENING · 29 Aug Fri 7.30pm | 31 Aug Sun 7.30pm

Set in a riotously coloured version of Tokugawa Edo’s Yoshiwara pleasure quarter, Ninagawa’s version of Anno Moyoco’s manga of the same name is far more flamboyant, lavish and visually mesmerising. SAKURAN tells the story of Kiyoha, forced into prostitution as a child. With fire and determination, she eventually becomes an oiran, one of the highest ranked courtesans, and goes on to achieve Yoshiwara stardom. Tanada Yuki’s (MOON AND CHERRY) screenplay admirably condenses Anno’s manga into the length of a feature, rocker Shinna Ringo’s soundtrack of modern rock and pop fits the aesthetics perfectly, and rock musician and model Anna Tsuchiya is perfectly cast as the rebel Kiyoha.

Distribution: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc.

SCREENING · 31 Aug Sun 4.30pm

Matsue Tetsuaki documents the making of SHARA, focusing on the emotional journey of the 2 lead actors - both amateurs - through the tight 2-week long shoot as they grapple with their roles, the tense atmosphere of the film, and Kawase’s unique directorial style.
SHARA will be screened on 28 Aug at 7.30pm and 30 Aug at 2.15pm.

Distribution: Matsue Tetsuaki


SCREENING · 31 Aug Sun 11.00am (Part of a DOUBLE-BILL screening)