At work, it was so breezy I almost thought of just staying at home because I feel that I am just being paid to just laze around and do nothing. I am not that type, really. I'd rather work than idle! Most of the time, I had no live file and I just busied myself with reading style sheets and line corrections, plus occasional feedback sessions with my trainor.
But thank God for this year's EIGA SAI! I was able to catch four films this year (as compared to two last year). I went there with my colleague Mara who was so grateful I introduced her to the festival. Now we're already anticipating next year's line up. ;)
Below are the films' synopsis (taken from the festival's website), plus some personal observations.
Juvenile Jungle (July 9, 9:00 PM)
This film is about a bunch of young men who live the good life (none have jobs, but have money) in post-war Japan. The film focuses on two brothers and their mutual affection for a young lady named Eri. First it's the younger brother Haruji who is able to woo her. Then the older brother Natsuhisa goes for her, out of both desire and jealousy. Eri turns out to be married to an American who spends very little time with her, so she is able to be involved in these affairs.
***Because of the film's black and white setting, I found myself sleepy at some point (especially because we hurriedly went to the cinema after office hours, hehe!). But despite the film's tragic ending, I must say that it is still something worth watching.
A Stranger of Mine (July 10, 8:30 PM)
The film begins with unmistakable sense of dull drama between two strangers who had their share of misfortunes. Maki (Kirishima Reika), an introverted woman who just decided to leave her fiancee when she found out about his infidelity and Miyata (Nakamura Yasuhi), a timid office worker, is finding it hard to get his life back on track after being dumped by his fiancée. These two characters' destinies become entwined when Kanda (Yamanaka So) - an unlucky detective and
childhood friend of Miyata - makes them share a table in a restaurant.
***Love, love, love this! The unique presentation, the character's vulnerability, and it's overall impact to the audience are just some of the reasons why even after the film, I found myself smiling just thinking how most scenes made me laugh until I literally dropped from my seat.
Linda Linda, Linda (July 11, 6:30 PM)
This film about youth is set in modern-day high school just outside of Tokyo. In the days just before the school’s culture festival, a girl’s music group is facing a dilemma. They planned on playing an original piece of music but, three days before the festival, the guitarist appears to have broken her finger (actually she doesn’t want to break her nails) and an argument breaks out between the vocalist and Kyoko. They need to find a new guitarist and a new vocalist. While the remaining three girls are pondering who to ask to be the new vocalist, they hear the song, “Linda Linda Linda” by the famous Japanese rock band Blue Hearts and decide they want to sing it instead of an original song. A Korean exchange student, Song, is sitting in the next room and they take the chance to ask her to be their vocalist. Her Japanese is not perfect, and she’s never sung in front of an audience, but she just happens to be listening to the Blue Hearts song. They practice and practice but they don’t seem to be improving. They spend a lot of time at Kei’s ex-boyfriend’s studio and at the school practicing late into the night. They are really tired, but a deep friendship develops among the four girls. The night before the festival, they practice late into the night and exhaust themselves. They suddenly wake up the next morning and realize that they are late for the festival. They arrive at the school just as the festival is finishing and perform as the last act. The audience loves them and the four girls play their hearts out.
***We almost didn't make it to this one. Thank God not all seats were taken so we were able to get inside, though we were in different seats. The Korean exchange student was so funny without her trying to be. For those who loved high school (I don't!), this is a film for you. Linda, Linda might me even be your LSS (last song syndrome), right Mara? Toinkz!
We Shall Overcome Someday (July 11, 8:30 PM)
This film takes place in 1968 in Kyoto, Japan. The background of the film is the turmoil of the 1960s and the relationship between Japanese and Koreans in Japan. The story begins when members of the karate group of a Kyoto high school insult two girls from a Korean high school. A war breaks out when the Korean girls get the boys from their school, led by a boy named Lee Ang-son, to seek revenge. The Japanese boys are reprimanded by their teacher, and two boys, Kosuke and Norio, are told to go to the Korean high school and make a peace offering: to have the two schools play a friendly match of soccer. While they are at the school, Kosuke hears the sound of a beautiful song of Ang-son’s little sister, Kyung-ja, a non-violent, peaceful, 2nd year high-school student who is part of a band. He finds himself drawn to the young girl and the sound of the Korean folk song, “Imjing River.” He steps over the ethnic divide and becomes friendly with Ang-son and his rough-neck gang. Ang-son has plans to go back to Korea and has unknowingly gotten his girlfriend pregnant. Kosuke then find’s himself part of the group until an accident kills one of the Korean boys and Kosuke bears the brunt of the family’s anger. Kosuke begins to understand the anger felt by the Korean community toward the Japanese community through the music and words of the folk song. Ang-son finds out he is going to be a father and realizes he has to grow up.
***The entire film reeks of violence. But it shows one great period in Japan's history. I really like the innocent love story angle between Kosuke and Kyung-ja. This is really worthy to be one of Japan's best films.
By Saturday, I found myself sleeping the entire day because of this EIGA SAI marathon which had me home past midnight for three days last week. *wink*
Next week is the Anime presentation, still at the Shangri-La mall. I'll be watching "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time".
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