18 Films you shouldn’t miss at the 22nd Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival (Part 1)

By Asian Film Festival on May 10, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

These are eighteen films you shouldn’t miss at the 22nd Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival which will take place from May 24 – 29, 2022 in Frankfurt, and On Demand from May 30 until June 6, 2022.

– Selected Films –

**Angry Son** by Kasho Iizuka – Japan | 2022 – 112 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Visions | International Premiere

Jungo is the embodiment of an angsty teenager: as a gay “Jappino” – half Filipino, half Japanese – he experiences discrimination on a daily basis. He also has a strained relationship with his mother, who immigrated from the Philippines. When she introduces him to her shady fiancé, Jungo sets out to find his biological father. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

**Any crybabies around?** by Takuma Sato – Japan | 2020 – 108 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Cinema | German Premiere

After embarrassing himself on television, young father Tasuku leaves his provincial home for Tokyo. Two years later, he attempts a comeback. Taiga NAKANO is unforgettable in the leading role of this dramedy about the conflict between tradition and modernity. The film won a jury prize at the San Sebastian International Film Festival for its cinematography. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

**I Go Gaga: Welcome Home, Mom** by Naoko Nobutomo – Japan | 2022 – 101 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Docs | International Premiere

“I want to die. I don’t want to be a burden!” Naoko NOBUTOMO’s documentary I GO GAGA, MY DEAR ended with these words. In the sequel to the hugely successful film, she continues the story of her mother, who suffers from dementia. The director once again provides a deeply touching yet cheerful insight into her family history. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Screening Dates:
May 25, 2022 | Wednesday | NAXOS Cinema | 17:00 pm (Buy tickets here)

Trailer:

**Intolerance** by Keisuke Yoshida – Japan | 2020 – 107 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Cinema | European Premiere

A young girl dies in a small Japanese town. The people are shocked, while the media pounce on the circumstances of her death and look for someone to blame. The bereaved no longer find peace from the reporters covering the story. Director Keisuke YOSHIDA relentlessly analyzes the existential effects of scandalizing journalism on people’s lives. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

**Just The Two of Us** by Keita Fujimoto – Japan | 2020 – 104 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Visions | German Premiere

Since a severe motorcycle accident, Shunsaku has been paralyzed from the neck down and has lost the desire to live. However, the blind caregiver Hanae helps him look at his situation differently. A touching love story develops that explores questions of freedom and hope. Keita FUJIMOTO’s debut film features NIPPON HONOR AWARD winner Masatoshi NAGASE. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

**Melting Sounds** by Kahori Higashi – Japan | 2021 – 80 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Visions | European Premiere

In her late grandmother’s garden, Koto meets an old man who lives there in a cardboard house and records everyday sounds on tape. He then buries the tapes in the ground. The two share an unusually sonorous winter. Kahori HIGASHI’s directorial debut impresses with musician xiangyu in the leading role, its relaxed narrative style and a meditative soundtrack. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

**Mr. Suzuki – A Man in god’s country** by Omoi Sasaki – Japan | 2020 – 90 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Visions

In a future Japanese city, unmarried people are drafted to solve the declining birthrate. When 44-year-old unmarried Yoshiko meets mysterious Suzuki, she hopes to escape this fate. But not all is as it seems. Omoi SASAKI’s feature film debut is an impressive science fiction dystopia that combines fresh ideas, drama and deadpan humor to deliver a unique film experience. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Screening Dates:
May 29, 2022 | Sunday | NAXOS Cinemas | 20:45 pm (Buy tickets here)

Trailer:

**Ninja Girl** by Yu Irie – Japan | 2021 – 88 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Visions | European Premiere

Miu’s family is targeted by the authorities due to her grandfather’s fight against a xenophobic law. He reveals a secret to her, so that she can continue his struggle: Miu is the last in a long line of ninjas! With that knowledge in hand, she starts battling corrupt politicians. Director Yu IRIE playfully combines satire with drama and stylized action. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

**Origami** by Tadasuke Kotani – Japan | 2022 – 50 minutes
**Section**: Nippon Docs

Atsushi SUWA, a painter, is offered a contract to paint a portrait of a couple’s deceased son. In order to learn about him, he studies photos of him and draws the faces of his family and a friend, who talk about their memories. Filmmaker Tadasuke KOTANI follows this approach of the artist to create a deep, moving documentary about the power of memory. (Nippon Connection 2022)

Trailer:

For more information, please visit: https://nipponconnection.com/en/start/

Image source:
Angry Son – © 2022 LesPros entertainment
I Go Gaga: © 2022 FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC / NETZGEN / KANSAI TELEVISION CO. LTD. / THE NOBUTOMO FAMILY INCORPORATED All rights reserved.
Ninja Girl: © Yu Irie & cogitoworks Ltd.