This season’s selection of films from Japan proves as eclectic as ever with a fascinating diversity of styles and themes, by emerging and established creators. The festival is thrilled to present the World Premiere of Japan’s new anime film HAPPY-GO-LUCKY DAYS based on the manga series by Takako Shimura; and two indie films giving intimate looks into the lives of the sex workers and the homeless people: LIFE: UNTITLED, adapted from her own stage play, Kana Yamada’s directorial debut is a multi-faceted portrayal of women’s lives intersecting with a Tokyo escort service; and the North American Premiere of A DOBUGAWA DREAM, director Asato Watanabe’s tale of a young man in what could be described as a substitute family in this strange, surreal world of suburban Japan.

Lastly, the off-beat LIFE FINDS A WAY by director Hirobumi Watanabe will resonant with all the filmmakers having writer’s block and the tension between everyday life and being a filmmaker.

World Premiere of much anticipated Anime
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY DAYS (60 minutes)
Streaming Sept 15-19 @ festivalscope.com (In Japanese w/English subtitles)

Directed by Takuya Sato

Featuring:  Kana Hanazawa, Mikako Komatsu, Takahiro Sakurai, Kaori Ishihara  

An anime film adaptation from a popular manga series created by
Takako Shimura featuring three short stories about love & relationships.  

Tickets are $5 per rental including exclusive post-film talks by the Cast
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKET/WATCH THE FILM

N. American Premiere
A DOBUGAWA DREAM (82 minutes)
Streaming Sept 15-19 @ festivalscope.com
(In Japanese w/English subtitles)
Directed by Asato Watanabe
Starring: Yuwa Kitagaki, Takahiro Fujita, Tatsuo Kasano, Kinami Mizuki

An impressive directorial debut by Watanabe who "approaches its subject from a completely different angle...w/displays of realism and surrealism, scattered spasmodically with absurdist comedy."  

Tickets are $5 per rental including director's in-depth talk after the film
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKET/WATCH THE FILM

Chicago Premiere
LIFE: UNTITLED (97 Minutes)
Streaming Sept 15-19 @ festivalscope.com
(In Japanese w/English subtitles)
Directed by Kana Yamada
Starring:  Sairi Ito (Love & Other Cults, Asako I & II), Yuri Tsunematsu (Before we Vanish),  Reiko Kataoka (Hush), Aimi Satsukawa (Himeanole)

Adapting her own stage play, "Yamada shows sex workers' dignity and desires amidst the misogyny and violence pervading society, updating the humanistic impulse of Kenji Mizoguchi to address the contemporary alienation of labor with humor and drama." Excerpt from Japan Cuts 2020.  

Tickets are $5 per rental including director's in-depth talk after the film
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKET/WATCH THE FILM

N. American Premiere
LIFE FINDS A WAY (110 Minutes)
Streaming Sept 15-19 @ festivalscope.com
(In Japanese w/English subtitles) Written/Directed/Acted by: Hirobumi Watanabe

Another interesting film by Watanabe (Poolsideman, Party 'Round the globe')  that stages himself as he idles away his days, delivering endless monologues during car rides, sleeping on the floor at his grandma's house, and philosophizing over video games and the FIFA World Cup -- a self-sarcastic film about a filmmaker
having its longest writer's block!!!!

Tickets are $5 per rental including director's in-depth talk after the film
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKET/WATCH THE FILM

Location:

More Info (External Link)
Posted 
September 23, 2020
 in 
Arts/Entertainment

More from 

Arts/Entertainment

View All

Join Our Newsletter and Get the Latest
and Greatest on Asian American Communities

Stay in the loop. No spam ever. Read our Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.