Ahead of the Japanese Film Festival Ireland, Gemma Creagh talks to Adam Torel, Head of Third Window Films. Two of his releases, Shadow of Fire and Typhoon Club are screening at this year’s festival.
To introduce the festival, Gemma first talks to Maeve Cooke, director at access CINEMA, co-organisers of the festival with The Embassy of Japan.
The Japanese Film Festival Ireland returns for its 15th edition this April, with a line-up of films that will bring the best of Japanese cinema to towns & cities across Ireland.
Ireland’s only truly national film festival will showcase 19 films across 49 screenings this year, featuring everything from the latest anime hits to exciting indie discoveries. The festival will run from April 9 – 27, with screenings in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk, Wexford and – for the first time – Bray.
This year’s line-up will bring Irish audiences everything from acclaimed dramas to crowd pleasing anime hits. This year’s programme includes the Irish premieres of exceptional new dramas such as Egoist, Great Absence, Ichiko, Remembering Every Night and Shadow of Fire. Those searching for more light-hearted fare should seek out time-loop office satire Mondays: See You ‘This’ Week! and the playful horror-comedy Love Will Tear Us Apart. Anime fans won’t want to miss the first Irish screenings of new titles Lonely Castle in the Mirror and Komada: A Whisky Family. Audiences will also be able to enjoy a special insight into Japanese culture and traditions with films such as Tsugaru Lacquer Girl and Yudo: The Way of the Bath.
The festival is proud to pay tribute to the late, great Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto with a special double bill in Dublin of his beautiful final concert film Opus and Hirokazu Koreeda’s award-winning Monster (which features Sakamoto’s final film score). Opus will also play in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford during the festival.
Audiences in Dublin and Galway will also be able to catch this year’s classic screening – Shinji Somai’s coming-of-age drama Typhoon Club, which has been widely celebrated as one of the greatest Japanese films of the 1980s.
Ticketing links and full listings are now available at www.jff.ie. Ticket sales information for screenings are available from each participating venue.
The Embassy of Japan and access>CINEMA are the co-organisers of the Festival.
Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, said: “Having started with just 4 films in 3 cities in 2008, this event is now in its 15th edition with 19 films in 9 locations around Ireland. Its continued success is thanks to the dedication of all the organisers, but above all to the enthusiasm of Irish audiences.
“I am delighted to see so much interest in Japanese cinema in Ireland, and hope that everyone will enjoy this year’s exciting selection of films from Japan.”
Maeve Cooke, director of access>CINEMA, said: “We’re always excited to bring the latest Japanese films to audiences across Ireland, and JFF 24 has added significance as it marks the 15th edition of the festival and our collaboration with the Embassy of Japan.
“We look forward to welcoming festival audiences – whether you’re a JFF regular or have never been before – to this year’s screenings. We’ve made sure to ensure this year’s line-up of films has something for everybody, including everything from the latest festival favourites to future cult classics.”
Check the JFF 2024 Screening Schedule here
Waterford
Garter Lane Arts Centre: April 9-12
Dublin
Light House Cinema: April 11-18
Galway
Pálás Cinema: April 11-14
Eye Cinema: April 15-19
Cork
Triskel Christchurch: April 11
ARC Cinema: April 12-18
Limerick
Belltable: April 13
Bray
Mermaid Arts Centre: April 22
Wexford
Wexford Arts Centre: April 23
Sligo
Sligo Film Society @ The Model Arts Centre: April 25
Dundalk
An Táin Arts Centre: April 27
Social
Facebook – facebook.com/
Twitter / X – @JFF_Ireland
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