Feel nostalgic at this year's Japanese Film Festival

Days before the internet and streaming services, Filipinos loved watching television shows especially those that came from Japan. Arguably, none is more influential than Voltes V, which captured the imagination of kids who grew up in the 90s.

The show about a giant robot that consisted of five individual vehicles made so much impact that to this day, Filipinos love to sing along with the Voltes V theme song “Voltes V No Uta” the moment someone shouts “let’s volt in!” Even the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performs it during its outreach concerts in the provinces and the reaction it receives is just as thunderous.

Perhaps as a way of recognizing this and honoring the decades-long bond between Filipinos and Japanese pop culture, the Japanese Film Festival is showing films that at the same time will remind people of relatively simpler times.

“For this year’s selection, we decided on the theme ‘Nostalgia,’” says festival director Yojiro Tanaka. “We chose films that will make our audience feel nostalgic and remember their own fond memories and feelings.”

The festival will showcase a range of Japanese films from various genres catering to different tastes whether drama, comedy, or action. This year’s opening film comes from the hit anime franchise, Slam Dunk, a 1990s favorite among Filipino fans of both anime and basketball. The First Slam Dunk (2022) is an animated sports film written and directed by Takehiko Inoue that boasts of amazing animation and heart-pounding basketball action while also resonating with heartfelt emotions.

The JFF lineup also includes the classic masterpiece, Tokyo Story (1953), by Japanese auteur, Yasujiro Ozu, as well as recently released movies such as And Yet, You Are So Sweet (2023) and Angry Son (2022), which also features Scottish-Filipina actress Maria Theresa Gow. 

Audiences can also look forward to nostalgic titles with movie versions of Voltes V (1999 and 2023) and Detective Conan (1997 and 2006).

The JFF, which is presented by the Japan Foundation Manila, was launched in 1997 and has become one of the film festivals in the country that cinephiles look forward to the most. Every year it attracts over 25,000 audiences, treating them to a variety of cinematic delights from drama, anime, romance, mystery, and everything in between. This year, the JFF films will be shown in theaters in Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao starting February 2024.

“We hope that the wide range of films will entertain long-time festival goers and those who are already fans of Japanese films,” Tanaka san adds. “We also welcome newcomers to enjoy (the films).”

Admission is free for all screenings. Guests can simply visit their preferred participating theaters and queue before each screening of their chosen movie. Seats will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.

JFF kicks-off in Manila at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema from February 1 to 11 and continues into the regions in SM Cinemas in Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo, and Davao. JFF screens in SM Seaside City Cebu from February 16 to 25, and in SM City Baguio, Iloilo, and Davao from February 23 to March 3. The festival will also have a special run at the UPFI Film Center in University of the Philippines Diliman from February 22 to March 2.

JFF is also supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JT International (Philippines) Inc., and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

For more information on the festival’s full film lineup, comprehensive movie synopses, and complete screening schedules, please visit www.JapaneseFilmFestPH.jfmo.org.ph or follow the Japan Foundation, Manila and JFF on social media. By Dexter R. Matilla

Email the author dxmatillawrites@gmail.com