Japanese Film Festival 2014

Overview

The best of recent Japanese cinema is making the long trip south. With more than 45 films across a bunch of cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and now, for the first time, Auckland, the Japanese Film Festival is the single largest event of its kind outside of Japan itself. This year's program is as diverse as ever, showcasing comedies, dramas, horror films, anime, and a rap-battle Yakuza musical showdown.

Unfortunately for film buffs in Brisbane and Auckland, that last title, Sion Sono's utterly bonkers Tokyo Tribe, will only screen in Sydney and Melbourne. But there's plenty on the program for everyone to enjoy, including last year's smash hit time travel comedy Thermae Romae, along with its recently released sequel, Thermae Romae II.  J-horror fans can check out Ju-On: The Beginning of the End, the seventh entry in the hair-raising franchise better known in English as The Grudge. A live-action adaptation of Kiki's Delivery Service, meanwhile, is the hot tip for lovers of Studio Ghibli's animated original.

For the full JFF program, visit their website.