Japanese Film Festival 2017

Overview

From the heartfelt animation of Studio Ghibli to the sword-swinging excess of Takashi Miike, if there's one thing that Japanese cinema is known for, it's variety. And while neither feature on this year's Japanese Film Festival program, there's plenty more where they came from— including true tales of dentists who became pop stars, watercolour explorations of the impact of war and Tokyo murder mysteries.

Screening at Event Cinemas Myer Centre from October 25 to 29, JFF 2017 continues the annual festival's fondness for diversity as it showcases the latest and greatest movies that Japan has to offer. Take its opening and closing films — kicking things off is historical ninja flick Mumon: The Land of Stealth, while acclaimed drama Radiance heads from Cannes to the fest's last night.

Other highlights include Japan's next Oscar submission, Her Love Boils Bathwater; a moving account of a real-life chess prodigy's struggle in Satoshi - A Movie for Tomorrow; and perhaps the movie with the best moniker in the lineup, Hamon: Yakuza Boogie. Throw in the adorable animation of Ancien and the Magic Tablet and the crime thrills of Rage, and the scene is set for a delightful dip into Japan's movie magic.