Shades of Japan on the screen

THE CONSULATE- GENERAL of Japan, Chennai, The Indo-Japan Centre and the International Cine Appreciation Forum, Chennai, jointly organised the Japanese Film Festival 2001 in Chennai, at the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce Auditorium.

The festival was inaugurated by Mr. Ryuichii Ishii, Consul- General in Chennai, who said, ``I am happy that films are also serving as bridges between our two countries. Japan certainly has close contact with India and we are happy to see the cultural bond between our two countries strengthened with the likes of these festivals.'' Mr. Rajagopal, Secretary General, International Cine Appreciation Forum, welcomed the gathering and Mr. Thangaraj proposed a vote of thanks.

Of the four films screened ``Haunted School'' was the best. If revolved round the strange experiences that some persons connected with a school go through.

The accent was on special effects. Music by Fuji-yama was noteworthy. Directed by Hirayama Hideyuki, the film was a success at the box office when it was released in 1995.

``Kids Return'' was about two school going children, Shinji and Masaru, their relationship with the students and their private lives.

The story has some good flash cuts. The cycle journey of the children from home to school captured the beauty of rural Japan. Kitano Takeshi directed the film after he was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident.

``Good Bye For Tomorrow'' is one of the good films directed by Obayashi Nobuhiko.

A small boat with nine passengers sinks off the coast of Onomichi. None seems to have survived. But after nearly three months each one of the relatives gets a message to come on a particular day to the sea coast to see their beloved. Beautifully picturised by Sakamolo Noritaka, this film was a thorough entertainer.

In ``Tora San's Island Encounter'', the protagonist Tora goes in search of his friend's wife. Tora finds her at Shimoda, a port city from where he takes a ferry to Shikine Island.

There he meets Machiko, a pretty woman, and falls in love with her. But at the end Machiko tells him that she is going to marry someone else. This is the 36th film of the Tora-san series which began in 1969 and is the longest in the Japanese film history.

Music is by Yamamoto Naozumi and photography is handled by Takaba Tetsuo.

S. R. ASHOK KUMAR

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment
Previous : An artist's dream
Next     : Delicate and eloquently silent