Embassy of Japan in South Africa
在南アフリカ共和国日本国大使館
在南アフリカ共和国日本国大使館
The 15th Annual Japanese Film Festival opening reception
The opening reception of the 15th annual Japan Film Festival took place on Thursday the 12th of March at Cinema Nouveau in Pretoria’s Brooklyn Mall.
This year’s festival brings the total number of Japanese films shown in South Africa since its inception in 1994 to 138.
The event was well supported, with over 140 guests representing government departments, foreign missions, members of the press and members of the public interested in Japanese culture attending.
A Stranger of Mine was chosen as the first film to be screened and was met with enthusiastic reviews from the audience.
His Excellency Ambassador Toshiro Ozawa addressed attendees and noted that 2010 will mark one hundred years of official Japanese presence in South Africa.
Ambassador Ozawa hoped for the continued strengthening of the relationship between South Africa and Japan in terms of art and culture and stated that he is looking forward to promoting both cultures in both countries.
Ms. Louise Graham, Chief Director of International Relations at the Department of Arts and Culture, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Department for Japan’s partnership with South Africa in areas of trade, culture, science and technology.
Ms. Graham stated that the Japanese Film Festival signified yet another important milestone in the cultural interaction between the two countries.
After its successful run in both Cape Town and Pretoria, the film festival will move to Johannesburg this weekend. From Friday the 20th to Sunday the 22nd of March, four films will be showcased at Cinema Nouveau in Rosebank Mall.
This year’s films include Madadayo, directed by renowned Akira Kurosawa, the comedy Kamikaze Girls, the youth drama Breathe In, Breathe Out and the acclaimed A Stranger of Mine
Please note that entrance is free and one simply has to arrive about one hour before each screening to collect tickets from the box office.
This year, DSTV’s ANIMAX channel will take part in the festival. The feature films during the festival will be preceded by a short episode of the popular anime series The Last Exile which is about 20 minutes long.
Please refer to the The 15th Annual Japanese Film Festival programme and film desciptions