Concrete Playground

What was the last Japanese film you saw? Perhaps the Oscar nominated Departures? Maybe some old school Ozu? Precious few Japanese films actually make it to Australian cinemas, which is why the Japanese Film Festival is such an important addition to any cinephile's schedule.

Selling out screenings around the country, the festival looks set to do the same in Sydney. Tickets to the box office hit Hanamizuki (Flowering Dogwood) are almost gone, and no doubt the opening and closing night fare About Her Brother and A Lone Scalpel can't be far behind. Tetsuya Nakashima’s (Kamikaze Girls, Memories of Matsuko) disquieting revenge tale Confessions was Japan's entry in this year’s Academy Awards, while Dear Doctor has taken out a host of national film awards. Iron Chef fans may want to check out Flavor of Happiness; definitely not a film to watch with an empty stomach!

November 27th is the day for anime fans to flock to the festival, with a two-part line up including: Time of Eve, animated music video Precious, Tokyo Marble Chocolate and Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror, including a Q&A discussion with animator Naoyoshi Shiotani.

Another exciting panel discussion will take place on November 23rd, after the double bill of Kyoto Story and short Wish You Were Here. Running with the topic "Fostering new filmmakers in Japan", Kyoto Story co-director Tsutomu Abe will be joined by film critic Tadao Sato and industry pioneer Shigeki Chiba. Here's hoping Australian cinemagoers do their bit to foster Japanese filmmakers as well.