There are increasingly few Japanese films seeing decent releases here in Ireland, with only a select few receiving DVD or VOD releases, let alone theatrical ones. Even then it's only a handful of directors whose films typically enjoy proper distribution - and even some recent films from cult favourites like Takashi Miike and Sion Sono have gone without a UK / Ireland release.
Thankfully every year Access Cinema and the Embassy of Japan organise the Japanese Film Festival - a selection of recent films from the country. Not only that, but its a nationwide affair, meaning film fans across the country can enjoy the films being shown.
There were screenings in Sligo and Limerick earlier this week, and starting tomorrow the festival is expanding to Cork, Galway, Dublin, Dundalk and Waterford. You can check out a full schedule of screenings here.
So, what's worth checking out? As ever, the films range from Japanese blockbusters like Rurouni Kenshin 2 and 3 to arthouse successes like Forma, which has received plenty of buzz on the festival circuit (increasingly rare for a Japanese film).
Fans of the weirder, wackier side of Japanese film would be best served by checking out Tokyo Tribe, the latest effort from prolific enfant terrible Sion Sono. Sono is a divisive character for sure - certainly since his widely acclaimed magnum opus Love Exposure - but word is Tokyo Tribe is one of his wildest, most entertaining efforts yet. It's a yakuza rap musical, so yeah not something you get to see every day...
Pale Moon is Daihachi Yoshida's latest film, following up from The Kirishima Thing which screened at last year's festival. That was an intelligent, stylish surprise, and hopefully Pale Moon follows up on that promise. The amusingly titled Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats, a well received slacker comedy, is also receiving its Irish premiere. It was co-produced by Third Window Films, one of the few independent distributors still dedicated to releasing Asian cinema here.
Anime fans are, of course, well served by this year's festival. A Letter To Momo and Time of Eve are both screening - each promising to be a nice change of pace from your typical televised anime fare.
For those more interested in classic Japanese cinema, there's a treat with exceedingly rare 35mm screenings of Masaki Kobayashi's stunning, mysterious Kwaidan: a beautiful yet creepy and atmospheric anthology film based on Japanese folk stories. And Studio Ghibli fans will be happy with the opportunity to see Only Yesterday on the big screen - one of legendary director Isao Takahata's most poignant films.
It's a line-up that really should have something for everyone, and very much worth the trip if you're near any of the screening venues over the next week or two.
