15 Films you shouldn’t miss at the 17th Camera Japan Festival

By Asian Film Festival on September 24, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

These are fifteen films you shouldn’t miss at the Camera Japan Festival (Netherlands) which is taking place in Rotterdam until September 25, and in Amsterdam from September 29 – October 2, 2022.

**Awake** by Yamada Atsuhiro – Japan | 2020 – 119 minutes

Eiichi once dreamed of becoming a professional shogi (Japanese chess) player. He abandoned his dream after losing repeatedly to powerhouse player Riku. Now in university, Eiichi devotes himself to creating a new, stronger shogi computer programme. Which leads him to once again challenge Riku, but now in a man versus machine match. Chess has never been as thrilling as in this sports film that defies the conventions of the genre.

Screening:
September 30, 2022 | Friday | LAB III (Amsterdam) | 16:30 pm

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**Dozens of Norths** by Yamamura Koji – Japan | 2021 – 64 minutes

An overworked writer gets his quill hijacked by two miniature figures who use it as some kind of relic on their expedition to dozens of northern places. They resist the hard weather conditions, and meet all kinds of people in their journeys. Fragmentary, dreamlike (sometimes even nightmarish) hand-drawn exploration of self-doubt, writer’s block and societal ills, with a magical atmosphere. Featuring the music of Willem BREUKER.

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**Eternally Younger Than Those Idiots** by Yoshino Ryohei – Japan | 2021 – 118 minutes

Horigai is about to graduate and get a job as a social worker. She meets Inogi, a girl with a tragic childhood. They get along in their own weird way, adrift and bored as they are. When Horigai’s friend Homine dies, she gets to know him in a way she couldn’t when he was alive. A powerful yet delicate coming-of-age drama, which shines with compelling characters.

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**Intolerance** by Yoshida Keisuke – Japan | 2021 – 107 minutes

How do we come to terms with death? A teenager dies in an accident after running from a shopkeeper accusing her of shoplifting. This has a huge impact on all the people in her orbit. Especially her father, who wants to prove her innocence and turns his grief into rage at everyone. A well-balanced drama of death and mourning with strong performances and quiet moments of dignity.

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**Just Remembering** by Matsui Daigo – Japan | 2021 – 115 minutes

Drive My Car meets Jim JARMUSCH in this bittersweet love story, inspired by Night on Earth. Teruo was a dancer, but became a theatre lighting technician. His girlfriend Yo works as a taxi driver. Together, they remember their most intimate days as a couple with moments of humour and sadness. Director MATSUI Daigo returns to CAMERA JAPAN with his most mature work yet.

Screening:
October 1, 2022 | Saturday | LAB III (Amsterdam) | 19:15 pm

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**Nagi’s Island** by Nagasawa Masahiko – Japan | 2022 – 108 minutes

After her parents’ divorce, ten-year-old Nagi moves with her mother to a small island in Setouchi. Traumatic visions of her alcoholic father Shimao abusing her mother trigger panic attacks. She slowly regains her ability to smile, while trying to help the islanders with their own burdens. A funny, sweet, and tender coming-of-age drama with a rich range of memorable characters.

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**Popran** by Ueda Shinichiro – Japan | 2022 – 96 minutes

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird … It’s a plane … It’s flying penises! Tagami is an absolute prick of a businessman, who wakes up penisless. His member has left his body, sprouted wings and now flies around Japan. He has to go catch it with a butterfly net, and all the while his penis leads him to deal with all the people he left behind in the wake of his success. From the mind that created One Cut of the Dead.

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**Ribbon** by Non – Japan | 2022 – 115 minutes

Art student Itsuka spent a year working on her graduation project, but her exhibition is cancelled due to COVID-19. Lacking motivation to finish the project, she feels deprived of purpose. She spends her days during lockdown at home, struggling to figure out what to do with her life. This impactful, imaginative directorial debut by actress NON (who also stars) is full of anger and frustration, but also hope and good vibes.

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**Small, Slow but Steady** by Miyake Sho – Japan | 2021 – 99 minutes

Young pro boxer Keiko was born with a hearing impairment. Her boxing club is like a second home although boxing is a real challenge to her. Keiko wins two difficult fights, but fear starts to grow inside of her. Her biggest challenge isn’t the next bout, but understanding herself and what she fights for. A deeply moving, sensitive character study with an indelible performance by KISHII Yukino.

Screening:
September 29, 2022 | Thursday | LAB III (Amsterdam) | 19:30 pm

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**Straying** by Imaizumi Rikiya – Japan | 2021 – 109 minutes

Manga creator Ako and tabloid magazine reporter Hiro are a married couple on the brink of divorce. As they argue over who should get custody of their cat Kanta, he slips out of their home and doesn’t come back. A delightful new film from one of the finest romance directors in Japan, IMAIZUMI Rikiya, with a starring role for a very adorable feline.

Screening:
September 25, 2022 | Sunday | Lantarenvenster (Rotterdam) | 22:00 pm

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**Target** by Nishijima Shinji – Japan | 2021 – 99 minutes

In 1991, a reporter wrote an article on the testimony of a former comfort woman in Korea to the dismay and denial of the Japanese government. Twenty-three years later, the reporter is attacked as the fabricator of comfort women, and the battle to clear his name begins. An impactful documentary about free speech, freedom of the press, democracy itself, the truth and a campaign to cover it up.

Screening:
September 25, 2022 | Sunday | Lantarenvenster (Rotterdam) | 17:30 pm

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**The House of the Lost on the Cape** by Kawatsura Shinya – Japan | 2021 – 105 minutes

Teenage runaway Yui and 8-year-old orphan Hiyori have no place to go when they meet Kiwa, a strange old lady. She offers them a place to stay in an old, mysterious house. There they begin to heal a little from their trauma. But then strange beings start to appear. Gorgeously stylized animation, which makes you feel the warmth of human connection, smell the fragrant tea and taste the delicious food.

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**Tokyo Kurds** by Hyuga Fumiari – Japan | 2021 – 103 minutes

Ohzan and Ramazan are two young Kurdish refugees. They’ve lived in Japan for most of their lives, but live in limbo because they can’t get a visa. Despite their dreams for the future, they can’t work or study, and are always in danger of being detained. A beautiful, moving documentary showing the issues immigrants face in Japan, but also an intimate portrait of these young men.

Screening:
September 25, 2022 | Lantarenvenster (Rotterdam) | 15:15 pm

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**Unlock Your Heart** by Shuto Rin – Japan | 2021 – 120 minutes

Ai is a popular, cheerful girl in her last year of high school. She’s also in love with a boy in her class, who is not at all aware of her feelings. She’s drawn to his mysterious nature, but can’t get close to him until she makes a surprising discovery. Will she go too far to get what she wants? A visually polished drama with convincing, laconic performances and insightful social commentary.

Screening:
October 2, 2022 | Sunday | LAB III (Amsterdam) | 22:00 pm

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**Wandering** by Lee Sang-il – Japan | 2022 – 150 minutes

When 19-year-old university student Fumi offers 10-year-old Sarasa an umbrella, the girl ends up staying at Fumi’s place for two months. They seem to form a deep connection until Fumi is suspected of kidnapping. Based on a novel by NAGIRA Yuu, known for her BL (boys love) novels. Cinematography by HONG Kyung-pyo (Burning, Parasite)

Screening:
September 29, 2022 | Thursday | LAB III (Amsterdam) | 21:30 pm

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