The 14th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival is starting next week and runs from June 12 to June 26 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. This year, the festival holds special significance as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. TJFF has announced more titles in addition to the titles announced in March.
This latest announcement includes an international premiere, several North American premieres, and a Canadian premiere, showcasing the incredible diversity of Japanese cinema. Notably, directors Cindy Mochizuki, Hideki Takeuchi, Akiko Ohku, Masakazu Kaneko, and Yuji Kakizaki will be in attendance to introduce their films, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the creative minds behind these cinematic works.
James Heron, the Director and Programmer of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival, remarked, “The latest additions to our lineup represent some of the most compelling and diverse stories in contemporary
Japanese cinema. We are honored to showcase a range of premieres that highlight the creativity and
innovation of our filmmakers. These films are not just entertainment; they provide powerful reflections
on human experiences that can resonate with audiences worldwide.”
Among the newly announced titles are the following:
The international premiere of Renpei Tsukamoto’s THE 35-YEAR PROMISE (35 年目のラブレター), a
heartwarming true story about literacy and the husband and wife who taught him the meaning of
happiness.
The North American premieres include Tetsu Maeda’s PETALS AND MEMORIES (花まんま), a powerful
and mysterious tale that explores the themes of memory and the unbreakable bond between siblings,
inspired by Minato Shukawa’s Naoki Prize-winning novel.
Additionally, festival-goers can look forward to Masaya Fujimori’s latest anime adventure, NINTAMA RANTARŌ: INVINCIBLE MASTER OF THE DOKUTAKE NINJA (劇場版 忍たま乱太郎 ドクタケ忍者隊最強の軍師), which promises an entertaining experience filled with humor and action as it follows the exploits of the beloved “ninja kids.”
Making its Canadian premiere is Ayuko Tsukahara’s GRAND MAISON PARIS (グランメゾン・パリ), a mega-hit spin-off of the popular series about a Japanese master chef in Paris struggling to regain three-
star Michelin status, mixing gripping drama, gorgeous food, and international glamour.
The festival also features the Toronto premiere of Cindy Mochizuki’s BETWEEN PICTURES: THE LENS OF TAMIO WAKAYAMA, a documentary that combines live action and animation to tell the epic journey of the late Japanese Canadian photographer Tamio Wakayama, who joined the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the 1960s American civil rights movement. Additionally, there
will be an encore screening of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s CLOUD (クラウド), an unpredictable, shocking, and
often humorous psychological thriller selected as the Japanese entry for Best International Film at the
97th Academy Awards.
As mentioned earlier, The Toronto Japanese Film Festival is particularly significant this year as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a screening of the director’s cut of THE VOW FROM HIROSHIMA (ヒロシマへの誓い サーロー節子とともに), an intimate portrayal of Setsuko Thurlow, a courageous survivor of the bombing whose decades-long activism culminates in her presence on the Nobel Prize stage. Following the screening, Ms. Thurlow will participate in a panel discussion, offering invaluable insights into her life and the profound impact of her experiences.
Here’s what else you can look forward to:
- Opening Film: The festival kicks off with the Canadian debut of CELLS AT WORK by Hideki Takeuchi, who will be there on opening night.
- Director’s Cut: Attend the special screening of THE VOW FROM HIROSHIMA, featuring Setsuko Thurlow, followed by a panel discussion.
- Diverse Lineup: Discover films like HAKKENDEN: FICTION AND REALITY and SAMURAI FURY: MUROMACHI OUTSIDERS.
- Cultural Engagement: Enjoy music and dance performances, art exhibitions, and authentic Japanese cuisine.
TJFF features 24 films in total
With a total of 24 films, the festival offers a rich tapestry of heartfelt dramas, captivating comedies, and
thought-provoking documentaries. In addition to film screenings, attendees can immerse themselves in
Japanese culture through music and dance performances, art exhibitions, martial arts classes, and a
variety of authentic Japanese food and sake.
Multi-film passes and individual tickets for all TorontoJFF screenings are on sale now. For
more information and to stay updated on the festival lineup, please visit www.torontojff.com.
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