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CAMBRIDGE JAPAN FEST 3 FEB – 24 MAR 2024
In collaboration with the Japan Foundation, Film@Jesus, and The Heong Gallery, we’re thrilled to present a series of Japanese events as part of both the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024, and the Cambridge Festival. Events will be held in the Frankopan Hall, Jesus College and Howard Theatre, Downing College. Tickets are available below as passes and individual sessions.
SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY
SABAKAN サバカン 2022, 96 min (PG)
Directed by: KANAZAWA Tomoki
Starring: BANKA Ichiro, HARADA Konosuke, ONO Machiko, KUSANAGI Tsuyoshi
Saturday 3 February @ 3pm
In the summer of 1986, HISADA (KUSANAGI Tsuyoshi) befriends TAKEMOTO Kenji (HARADA Konosuke), a classmate shunned by others. The two embark on a mini-adventure together, unaware that their childhood innocence is soon to be shattered.
THE LUMP IN MY HEART あつい胸さわぎ 2023, 92 mins (PG)
Directed by: MATSUMURA Shingo
Starring: YOSHIDA Mizuki, TOKIWA Takako, OKUDAIRA Daiken, MAEDA Atsuko
Saturday 3 February @ 5pm
Akiko (TOKIWA Takako) is a single mother. She lives with her daughter Chinatsu (YOSHIDA Mizuki), a university student. Adapted from YOKOYAMA Takuya’s stage play of the same title, The Lump in My Heart depicts a mother-daughter relationship in the face of early-onset cancer.
ICE CREAM FEVER アイスクリームフィーバー 2023, 104 mins (PG)
UK PREMIERE
Directed by: CHIHARA Tetsuya
Starring: YOSHIOKA Riho, Serena Motola, Utaha, MATSUMOTO Marika
Saturday 3 February @ 7pm
(with Q&A following the screening)
TOKITA Natsumi (YOSHIOKA Riho), an art school graduate, struggles to find a place in a design company and instead finds work at an ice cream shop. She becomes captivated by a regular customer, the writer HASHIMOTO Saho (Serena Motola).
THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who joined us on 3 Feb. We rounded the day with the Ice Cream Fever Film Director Tetsuya Chihara, Producer Kazuyuki Kitaki, and translator in conversation with students Rebekah Garrish, and Mabel van Zwanenberg Rouse, who run the Film@Jesus programme. A kabuki music performance will follow on 4 March before moving to Downing in late March. Here are some photos from the first day. A special thank you to Japan Foundation London Director Shini-ichi Tanaka for joining us and saying a few words, as well as Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College.
MONDAY 4 MARCH
KABUKI MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Monday 4 March @ 6pm
While kabuki theatre is renowned for its visual splendour, music and sound also play an essential role. For one night only, we’re delighted to be joined by seven hayashikata (kabuki musicians) visiting from Japan. Led by TANAKA Denzaemon Xlll, and TANAKA Denjirō VII, the ensemble will perform classic kabuki compositions—Matsuribayashi (祭囃子), Kanjincho (勧進帳), and Shishi (獅子)—before giving a brief talk about the world of kabuki music and their traditional musical instruments. The evening will conclude with a Q&A.
The kabuki performance is supported by D-T Ltd and IndigoRose Project.
FINDING THE VENUE
Screenings on the 3rd February and the kabuki music performance on the 4th March will take place in the Frankopan Hall, which is located in West Court, Jesus College. The pedestrian entrance can be accessed from Jesus Lane. Please see the detailed map below for further information.
SATURDAY 23 – SUNDAY 24 MARCH
TWILIGHT CINEMA BLUES 銀平町シネマブルース 2022, 99 mins (12A)
Directed by: JOJO Hideo
Starring: KOIDE Keisuke, FUKIKOSHI Mitsuru, UNO Shohei, FUJIWARA Sakura
Saturday 23 March @ 6pm
KONDO (KOIDE Keisuke), a penniless young man, returns to his hometown of Ginpei-cho where he encounters SATO (UNO Shohei), a movie enthusiast living on the streets. This chance meeting leads KONDO to take up a part-time job at the Ginpei Scala Theatre, a small independent cinema.
RIPPLES 波紋 2022, 120 mins (12A)
Directed by: OGIGAMI Naoko
Starring: TSUTSUI Mariko, MITSUISHI Ken, ISOMURA Hayato, ANDO Tamae
Saturday 23 March @ 8pm
Yoriko (TSUTSUI Mariko) leads a mundane but peaceful life caring for her husband Osamu (MITSUISHI Ken), her son Takuya (ISOMURA Hayato), and her bedridden father-in-law. That is, until her husband suddenly disappears.
LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR かがみの孤城 2022, 116 mins (PG)
Directed by: HARA Keiichi
Starring: TOMA Ami, KITAMURA Takumi, KIRYU Sakura, ITAGAKI Rihito
Sunday 24 March @ 5.30pm
Kokoro—a student who had lost her place at school and shuts herself in her room due to school bullying—experiences a sudden change when her room’s mirror starts glowing and pulls her inside. There, she encounters a mysterious castle and six other middle school students.
VOICES IN THE WIND 風の電話 2020, 139 mins (PG)
Directed by: SUWA Nobuhiro
Starring: Serena Motola, NISHIJIMA Hidetoshi, NISHIDA Toshiyuki, MIURA Tomokazu, WATANABE Makiko
Sunday 24 March @ 8 pm
Seventeen-year-old Haru (Serena Motola), orphaned by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, now resides with her aunt Hiroko (WATANABE Makiko) in Hiroshima. Despite her emotional scars, Haru manages to live a relatively normal life with Hiroko’s support.
FINDING THE VENUE
Screenings on the 23rd and 24th March will take place at the Howard Theatre, Downing College. Entry to Downing College is via the main gates on Regent Street. The Howard Theatre is a 6 to 10-minute walk from the main gates down the main path into the grounds. Please see the detailed map below for further information.
COLLECTORS
In celebration of hosting the UK Premiere of Ice Cream Fever, set in Shibuya, Tokyo, we are making an image of the famous Shibuya crossing, available to purchase. Printed on museum archival paper, this print will only be available for purchase during the Cambridge Japan Fest.
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JAPAN FOUNDATION
SUPPORTED BY
PHOTO CREDITS
The Lump in My Heart: ©2023 at suimunasawagi production committee
Ripples: ©2022 “RIPPLES” Film Partners
Lonely Castle in the Mirror: ©2022 “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” Film Partners
Voices in the Wind: ©2020 The Phone of the Wind Film Partners