Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016

Set in early 19th century Japan during the Edo period, this animation brings to life the story of O-Ei, the daughter of the ukiyo-e master, Katsushika Hokusai.

A heart-wrenching portrayal of isolated people caught in downward spirals which also shows how simple acts of kindness can blossom and make a difference in someone’s life.

Set in the coastal town of Motobu-cho, Okinawa, this film depicts the incredible true story of Hikaru Nakasone, a man who devoted the last days of his life to helping youngsters who felt as if they had nowhere to go.

Adapted from Shunju Aono’s popular manga series, this comedy by Yuichi Fukuda follows the mid-life crisis of a loveable lazybones trying to find his calling.

Yuki Tanada, considered one of Japan’s most talented filmmakers, returns from a four year break with this emotionally-engaging and bold expression of the inner lives, hardships and cooped-up feelings of individuals in modern day Japan.

Directed by Japan’s most exciting playwright, author, actor and filmmaker Suzuki Matsuo, this hilarious comedy features an ensemble cast as the area’s eccentric characters and is based on the manga series Kamuroba mura e by Mikio Igarashi.

A heartfelt human drama about a woman’s journey to independence.

A completely original animated film which was a huge hit upon its domestic theatrical release in late 2015, touching many hearts across Japan.

This beautiful and tear-jerking social portrait of the offender’s family shows the toll the act of murder can have on the lives of those surrounding the perpetrator.

Having lost her husband in the war, Haruko (Yuko Mochizuki) struggles to bring up her ungrateful, materialistic son and daughter.

An award-wining film telling the admirable story of Seiichi, a ‘kirareyaku’ actor whose main job in samurai movies is simply to be killed off by the lead star.

Based on the popular magazine series by Hitomi Yamaguchi and falling within the framework of Toho’s popular genre of Salaryman Comedies, this classic film depicts the life of Eburi, showing his mixed feelings about Japan’s social and economic situation following the Second World War.

An award-winning documentary about the Kitades and their family-run butcher shop in Kaizuka City, where they have been raising and slaughtering cattle, and selling their meat in their small shop for over 100 years.

Drawing on social issues in Japan surrounding its ageing population, this sweet and heart-warming story focuses on the touching relationship between a son and his elderly mother.