Lineup includes SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, A GHOST OF A CHANCE, ARRIETTY, OBA: THE LAST SAMURAI and GANTZ 1 & 2 Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press releases Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson Not long now until the 15th Japanese Film Festival hits Sydney and Melbourne with their biggest line-up to date. Featuring 30 films – all Australian premieres – festival organizers are thrilled to reveal the full program for 2011:

OPENING FILM Koki Mitani’s A GHOST OF A CHANCE (???????, Suteki na Kanashibari, 2011) the festival with a hilarious courtroom drama where the only witness is a 421 year-old ghost. A mini retrospective of Mitani’s work, who is often referred to as Japan’s ‘King of Comedy’, will be featured in the festival with A GHOST OF A CHANCE as one of the screenings, along with SUITE DREAMS (?????? / ??? ??????, Uchoten hoteru, 2006) and THE MAGIC HOUR (?????????, Za Majikku Awa, 2008). CLOSING FILM Winner of the Innovation Award at the 35th Montreal Film Festival, Takahisa Zeze’s latest release LIFE BACK THEN (????????, Antoki no Inochi, 2011) closes the festival with a sombre drama about disposing the belongings left behind by people who have died alone. In a similar vein to the award-winning DEPARTURES, this moving film charts the rediscovery of life and love through the lens of death. SPECIAL GUESTS The Japanese Film Festival are honoured to have Hideyuki Hirayama (Director, SHINSAN- A SERENADE IN A COALMINE TOWN) and Yutaka Takenouchi (Actor, A HONEYMOON IN HELL: MR & MRS OKI’S FABULOUS TRIP) in Sydney to promote their latest film OBA: THE LAST SAMURAI (???????????????????, Taiheiyo no Kiseki - Fox to Yobareta Otoko, 2011). Based on a story documented by U.S. marine Don Jones, this film is set in the midst of the Battle of Saipan in 1944-45, revealing awe-inspiring courage and dignity across enemy lines. Additional guests include documentary filmmakers Hirotaka Matsune (Cinematographer, YAMAKOSHI- THE RECOVERY OF A TINY JAPANESE VILLAGE) and Tsuyoshi Inoue (Director- THE TOWN`S CHILDREN). NOT YOUR TYPICAL SAMURAI ABACUS AND SWORD (??????, Bushi no Kakeibo, 2011) is about a samurai with a difference. Naoyuki is an accounting geek who defends his lord and family faithfully by using an unlikely weapon: the abacus. Continuing on with the non-stereotypical storyline is A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI (????????, Chonmage Purin, 2010) – Yasube, a samurai from the Edo period, finds himself in the present day and discovers he has a gifted talent for making sweets. In THE LADY SHOGUN AND HER MEN (??, Ohoku, 2010), the tables are turned in gender roles when the feudal power shifts to a female. For those who prefer the traditional samurai narrative, THE LAST RONIN (??????, Saigo no Chushingura, 2010) is inspired by the legendary story of the 47 Ronin (Chushingura) and the untold heroism of the one man charged to live.

FOR FAMILIES Families will love Takashi Miike’s NINJA KIDS!!! (??????, Nintama Rantaro, 2011), a ninja academy for children with The New York Times describing it as “a raucous comedy with a talented cast of child actors that’s part Naruto, part Harry Potter”. Children are strongly encouraged to come dressed as ninjas to this screening. From Studio Ghibli comes ARRIETTY (????????????, 2010), a family of 10cm tall ‘borrowers’ create their homes from borrowed human household items. They manage to conceal their existence well until one day little Arrietty is discovered by a human. SCI-FI/ ANIMATION Sci-fi fans will be happy to hear that the popular sci-fi action manga GANTZ (??, Gantsu, 2011) is now a live-action film which will be screened at the festival, along with its sequel GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011). Gantz is an enigmatic black orb that enlists the semi-dead on missions. Another legendary sci-fi animation turned live-action is the intergalactic SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (???????, Supeesu Batorushippu Yamato, 2010)– ex-pilot Kodai is on an assignment to save the battle-scarred Earth from destruction. The festival will also screen Osama Tezuka’s BUDDHA: THE GREAT DEPARTURE (???????? ?????????, Tezuka Osamu no budda: Akai sabaku yo! Utsukushiku, 2011), a biography of Buddha, told through the eyes of Siddhartha, who later becomes Buddha.

OTHER MUST-SEES Eri Fukatsu won Best Actress at the 34th Montreal World Film Festival for her leading role in VILLAIN (??, Akunin, 2010), a dramatic thriller in the world of online dating. REBIRTH (?????, Youkame no Semi, 2011) explores the sensitive issue of a woman on trial for abducting and raising a 6-month-old baby girl. Mystery and drama with a touch of comedy can be found in PRINCESS TOYOTOMI (????? ????, Purinsesu Toyotomi, 2011), Japan’s comedic version of the Da Vinci Code; and finally the Japanese Film Festival is not complete without a bit of bizarre and wacky in the mix – MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY (??????, Mirokuroze, 2011) is a blend of surreal storylines with all lead roles played by rising star Takayuki Yamada. The New York Times has described it as “a wacked-out fantasy that recalls early Tim Burton one moment, late Quentin Tarantino the next.” The complete screening schedule, as well as the latest news and updates, are available from the Japanese Film Festival’s official website, Facebook page and Twitter.

JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 NATIONAL DATES

SYDNEY 17 – 27 November 2011 Event Cinemas, George Street MELBOURNE 29 November – 6 December 2011 ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image + Hoyts Melbourne Central CANBERRA 9 – 20 November National Film & Sound Archive

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About The Japan Foundation

The Japan Foundation aims to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through a diverse range of programs and events. It was established in 1972 with a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries. The Australian office was founded in 1977. The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs a gallery space, library and Japanese language courses for all levels catering from beginner to advanced.