The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is a film festival held in Singapore and dedicated to Japanese cinema.
History Japanese Film Festival was first held in 1983 and then held annually from 1999 to 2016, and curated with Singapore audiences in mind, led by local programmers with a wide-ranging programme of film classics, Japanese independents and commercial releases.
The JFF was established in Singapore in 1983. The festival was organised by the Singapore Film Society and the Japanese Embassy and the films were shown at the Cultural Theatre and Victoria Theatre.
The next JFF was shown in 1986. In 1987, Japanese ambassador to Singapore, Wasuke Miyake, brought JFF to Singapore which was held in October.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, the festival turned to hybrid screenings for 2020 and 2021. Since then they have continued to deliver the hybrid model each year using a platform provided by Shift72.
There was no festival in 2017. Under new direction from 2018 from the Japan Foundation in Tokyo, it has shifted its focus to screening mainly commercial releases from Japan.
2014 (26 June to 12 July) The Japanese Film Festival was held from 26 June to 12 July at the National Museum of Singapore.
Film programme Currents Leaving on the 15th Spring / 旅立ちの島唄～十五の春～ (2012) by Yoshida Yasuhiro / 吉田康弘 (PG) Homeland / 家路 (2014) by Kubota Nao / 久保田直 (M18) Homesick / ホームシック (2012) by Hirohara Satoru / 廣原暁 (PG) Maruyama, The Middle Schooler / 中学生円山 (2012) by Kudo Kankuro / 宮藤官九郎 (NC16) Survive Style 5+ (2004) by Sekiguchi Gen / 関口現 (NC16) The Tale of Iya / 祖谷(いや)物語 おくのひと (2013) by Tsuta Tetsuichiro / 蔦哲一朗 (PG) The Mole Song / 土竜の唄 (2013) by Miike Takashi / 三池 崇史 (M18)
Retrospective (Ichikawa Kon) Alone Across the Pacific / 太平洋ひとりぼっち (1963) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) An Actor's Revenge / 雪之丞変化 (1963) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Bonchi / ぼんち (1960) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Crammed Streetcar / 満員電車 (1957) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Hakai / 破戒 (1962) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Harp of Burma / ビルマの竪琴 (1956) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) I Am Two / 私は二歳 (1962) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Kokoro / こころ (1955) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Nihonbashi / 日本橋 (1956) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Nobi / 野火 (1959) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Odd Obsession / 鍵 (1959) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Punishment Room / 処刑の部屋 (1956) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) Ten Dark Women / 黒い十人の女 (1961) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG) The Wanderers / 股旅 (1973) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG13) The Makioka Sisters / 細雪 (1983) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川 崑 (PG)
2013 (26 June to 8 July) The Japanese Film Festival was held from 26 June to 8 July at the Alliance Francaise and the National Museum of Singapore. There will be a focus on films from the 80s as well as a retrospective on Shindo Kaneto and Yoshimura Kozaburo, in addition to a showcase of the best in Japanese current films.
Festival highlights (Inspire)
Film programme Around the 80s Muddy River / 泥の河 (1981) by Oguri Kohei / 小栗康平 (PG13) Mahjong Horoki / 麻雀放浪記 (1984) by Wada Makoto / 和田誠 (NC16) I Are You, You Am Me / 転校生 (1982) by Obayashi Nobuhiko / 大林宣彦 (NC16) Farewell to the Land / さらば、愛しき大地 (1982) by Yanagimachi Mitsuo / 柳町光男 (R21) Violent Cop / その男、凶暴につき (1989) by Kitano Takeshi / 北野武 (M18) Rikyu / 利休 (1989) by Teshigahara Hiroshi / 勅使河原宏 (PG) Fall Guy / 蒲田行進曲 (1982) by Fukasaku Kinji / 深作欣二 (R21) The Catch / 魚影の群れ (1983) by Somai Shinji / 相米慎二 (R21) No More Easy Going / もう頬づえはつかない (1979) by Higashi Yoichi / 東陽一 (M18) Preparation for the Festival / 祭りの準備 (1975) by Kuroki Kazuo / 黒木和雄 (R21) The Man Who Stole the Sun / 太陽を盗んだ男 (1979) by Hasegawa Kazuhiko / 長谷川和彦 (PG) The Family Game / 家族ゲーム (1983) by Morita Yoshimitsu / 森田芳光 (NC16)
Retrospective (Shindo Kaneto and Yoshimura Kozaburo) A Ball at the Anjo House / 安城家の舞踏会 (1947) by Yoshimura Kozaburo / 吉村公三郎 (PG) The Disguise / 偽れる盛装 (1951) by Yoshimura Kozaburo / 吉村公三郎 (PG) Sisters of Nishijin / 西陣の姉妹 (1952) by Yoshimura Kozaburo / 吉村公三郎 (PG) Undercurrent / 夜の河 (1956) by Yoshimura Kozaburo / 吉村公三郎 (PG) Children of Hiroshima / 原爆の子 (1952) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (PG) Epitome / 縮図 (1953) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (PG) The Ditch / どぶ (1954) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (PG) Lucky Dragon No. 5 / 第五福竜丸 (1959) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (PG) The Island / 裸の島 (1960) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (PG) Mother / 母 (1963) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (PG) A Last Note / 午後の遺言状 (1995) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤兼人 (M18)
Currents GFP Bunny / タリウム少女のプログラム (2012) by Tsuchiya Yutaka / 土屋豊 (R21) Japan Lies / ニッポンの嘘 報道写真家福島菊次郎90歳 (2012) by Hasegawa Saburo / 長谷川三郎 (M18) Japan's Tragedy / 日本の悲劇 (2012) by Masahiro Kobayashi / 小林政広 (PG13) Rent a Cat / レンタネコ (2012) by Ogigami Naoko / 荻上直子 (PG) Shady / かしこい狗は、吠えずに笑う (2012) by Watanabe Ryohei / 渡部亮平 (NC16) See You Tomorrow Everyone / みなさん、さようなら (2013) by Nakamura Yoshihiro / 中村義洋 (NC16) Our Homeland / かぞくのくに (2012) by Yang Yong-hi / ヤン・ヨンヒ (NC16)
Undercurrents Canary / カナリア (2005) by Shiota Akihiko / 塩田明彦 (M18) Villain / 悪人 (2010) by Lee Sang-il / 이상일 (R21)
2012 (1 to 8 July) The Japanese Film Festival was held from 2 to 8 July at the National Museum of Singapore. Besides showcasing the best of current Japanese films, one segment of the festival focused on documentaries examining the undercurrents and post-trauma effects of the tsunami in Japan in March 2011, while another segment focused on the celebration of the Nikkatsu Centennial.
Festival highlights (Action)
Film programme Tsunami Documentaries Fukushima Memories of a Landscape / 相馬看花 第一部 奪われた土地の記憶 (2011) by Matsubayashi Yojyu / 松林 要樹 (PG) No Man's Zone / 無人地帯 (2012) by Fujiwara Toshi / 藤原 敏史 (PG)
Nikkatsu Centennial - Celebrating 100 Years of Nikkatsu Studio Stolen Desire / 盗まれた欲情 (1958) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) Endless Desire / 果てしなき欲望 (1958) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) Unholy Desire / 赤い殺意 (1964) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) The Pornographers / エロ事師たちより 人類学入門 (1966) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (M18) Nishi Ginza Station / 西銀座駅前 (1958) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) The Insect Woman / にっぽん昆虫記 by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) Juvenile Jungle / 狂った果実 (1956) by Nakahira Kō / 中平 康 (PG) Gate of Flesh / 肉体の門 (1964) by Suzuki Seijun / 鈴木 清順 (M18) Red Handkerchief / 赤いハンカチ (1964) by Toshio MasudaMasuda Toshio / 舛田 利雄 (PG) The Woman with Red Hair / 赫い髪の女 (1979) by Kumashiro Tatsumi / 神代 辰巳 (R21) Bakumatsu Taiyoden / 幕末太陽傳 (1957) by Kawashima Yuzo / 川島 雄三 (PG)
Japanese Currents Life Back Then / アントキノイノチ (2011) by Zeze Takahisa / 瀬々 敬久 (PG13) About the Pink Sky / ももいろそらを (2011) by Kobayashi Keiichi / 小林 啓一 (NC16) Death of a Japanese Salesman / エンディングノート (2011) by Sunada Mami / 砂田 麻美 (PG) I Wish / 奇跡 (2011) by Koreeda Hirokazu / 是枝 裕和 (PG) Tokyo Oasis / 東京オアシス (2011) by Matsumoto Kana / 松本 佳奈 and Nakamura Kayo / 中村 佳代 (PG) Chronicle of My Mother / わが母の記 (2011) by Harada Masato / 原田 眞人 (PG)
2011 (2 to 10 July) The Japanese Film Festival was held from 2 to 10 July at the National Museum of Singapore. The festival theme was Journey.
Festival highlights (Journey) Opening Film: Mother Water / マザーウォーター (2010) by Matsumoto Kana / 松本 佳奈 (PG) Closing Film: Sketches of Kaitan City / 海炭市叙景 (2010) by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi / 熊切 和嘉 (PG) Director in attendance: Kumakiri Kazuyoshi / 熊切 和嘉
Film programme Tribute to Takamine Hideko / 高峰 秀子 Hideko the Bus Conductress / 秀子の車掌さん (1941) by Naruse Mikio / 成瀬 巳喜男 (PG) Lightning / 稲妻 (1952) by Naruse Mikio / 成瀬 巳喜男 (PG) Yearning / 乱れる (1964) by Naruse Mikio / 成瀬 巳喜男 (PG) When a Woman Ascends the Stairs / 女が階段を上る時 (1960) by Naruse Mikio / 成瀬 巳喜男 (PG) The Munekata Sisters / 宗方姉妹 (1950) by Ozu Yasujirō / 小津 安二郎 (PG) Immortal Love / 永遠の人 (1961) by Kinoshita Keisuke / 木下 恵介 (PG)
Focus on Gosho Heinosuke / 五所 平之助 The Young Women of Izu / 伊豆の娘たち (1945) by Gosho Heinosuke / 五所 平之助 (PG) Where Chimneys Are Seen / 煙突の見える場所 (1953) by Gosho Heinosuke / 五所 平之助 (PG) Woman of the Mist / 朧夜の女 (1936) by Gosho Heinosuke / 五所 平之助 (PG)
Focus on Kumakiri Kazuyoshi / 熊切 和嘉 Sketches of Kaitan City / 海炭市叙景 (2010) by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi / 熊切 和嘉 (PG) Antenna / アンテナ (2004) by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi / 熊切 和嘉 (R21) Green Mind, Metal Bats / 青春☆金属バット (2006) by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi / 熊切 和嘉 (M18)
Japanese Currents Mother Water / マザーウォーター (2010) by Matsumoto Kana / 松本 佳奈 (PG) Strawberry Shortcakes / ストロベリーショートケイクス (2006) by Yazaki Hitoshi / 矢崎 仁司 (R21) Birthright / 臍帯 (2010) by Hashimoto Naoki / 橋本 直樹 (PG) Megane / めがね (2007) by Ogigami Naoko / 荻上 直子 (PG) Kamome Diner / かもめ食堂 (2005) by Ogigami Naoko / 荻上直子 (PG) The Days After / 後の日 (2010) by Koreeda Hirokazu / 是枝 裕和 (PG) Pool / プール (2009) by Omori Mika / 大森 美香 (PG)
Others Till We Meet Again / また逢う日まで (1950) by Imai Tadashi / 今井 正 (PG) The Straits of Hunger / 飢餓海峡 (1964) by Uchida Tomu / 内田 吐夢 (PG)
2010 (19 to 29 August) In 2010, the Japanese Film Festival was held from 19 to 29 August at the National Museum of Singapore. The festival theme was Youth.
Festival Highlights (Youth) Opening Film: Boy / 少年 (1969) by Ōshima Nagisa / 大島 渚 (PG) Closing Film: Sweet Little Lies / スイートリトルライズ (2010) by Yazaki Hitoshi / 矢崎仁司 (NC16) Director in focus: Ōshima Nagisa / 大島 渚 Director in attendance: Yoshida Kota / 吉田浩太
Film Programme Focus on Japanese New Wave and Oshima Nagisa Boy / 少年 (1969) by Ōshima Nagisa / 大島 渚 (PG) Diary of a Shinjuku Thief / 新宿泥棒日記 (1968) by Ōshima Nagisa / 大島 渚 (R21) Sinner in Paradise / 帰って来たヨッパライ (1968) by Ōshima Nagisa / 大島 渚 (NC16) Sing a Song of Sex / 日本春歌考 (1967) by Ōshima Nagisa / 大島 渚 (NC16) Good for Nothing / ろくでなし (1960) by Yoshida Yoshishige / 吉田喜重 (PG) Bloody Thirst / 血は乾いてる (1960) by Yoshida Yoshishige / 吉田喜重 (PG) Hogs and Warships / 豚と軍艦 (1961) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) A Man Vanishes / 人間蒸発 (1967) by Imamura Shohei / 今村 昌平 (PG) A Flame at the Pier / 涙を、獅子のたて髪に (1962) by Shinoda Masahiro / 篠田 正浩 (PG) Ototo / おとうと (1960) by Ichikawa Kon / 市川崑 (PG)
Focus on PIA Film Festival A Stranger of Mine / 運命じゃない人 (2004) by Uchida Kenji / 内田けんじ (PG) Water Flower / 水の花 (2005) by Kinoshita Yusuke / 木下雄介 (PG) Fourteen / 14歳 (2006) by Hirosue Hiromasa / 廣末哲万 (PG) ASYL - Park and Love Hotel / パーク アンド ラブホテル (2007) by Kumasaka Izuru / 熊坂出 (PG) MIME-MIME / マイム マイム (2008) by Sode Yukiko / 岨手由貴子 (M18)
Directions – Focus on NDJC 2007 The Bus to Heaven (2007) by Gunjigake Masayuki (PG) Good bye, George Adamski (2007) by Kodama Kazuto (PG) Seismic Girl (2007) by Tatenai Kenta (PG) Babin (2007) by Hirabayashi Isamu (PG) Restaurant UFO (2007) by Yamaguchi Satoshi (PG)
Directions – Focus on NDJC 2008 A Lying Woman's Daybreak (2008) by Kumagai Madoka (PG) Bloom (2008) by Tanaka Tomofumi (PG) The Sparkling Amber (2008) by Nakako Ryota (PG) Kudan (2008) by Yoshii Kazuyuki (PG) The Third Skin (2008) by Wajima Kotaro (PG)
Japanese Currents Air Doll / 空気人形 (2009) by Koreeda Hirokazu / 是枝裕和 (R21) Bare Essence of Life / ウルトラミラクルラブストーリー (2009) by Yokohama Satoko / 横浜聡子 (PG) Fish Story / フィッシュストーリー (2009) by Nakamura Yoshihiro / 中村義洋 (PG) LALAPIPO - A Lot of People / ララピポ (2009) by Miyano Masayuki / 宮野 雅之 (R21) Live Tape / ライブテープ (2009) by Matsue Tetsuaki / 松江哲明 (PG) Yuriko's Aroma / ユリ子のアロマ (2010) by Yoshida Kota / 吉田浩太 (M18)
2009 (25 to 30 August) The Japanese Film Festival 2009 was a showcase of some of the finest in Japanese horror, mystery and supernatural cinema that year. The festival was held from 25 to 30 August at the National Museum of Singapore.
Festival Highlights (Horror) Audience Award: Strange Circus / 奇妙なサーカス (2006) by Sono Shion / 園 子温 (R21)
Film Programme House / ハウス (1977) by Obayashi Nobuhiko / 大林 宣彦 (NC16) The Blind Beast / 盲獣 (1969) by Masumura Yasuzo / 増村 保造 (R21) Manji / 卍 (1964) by Masumura Yasuzo / 増村 保造 (R21) Onibaba / 鬼婆 (1964) by Shindo Kaneto / 新藤 兼人 (M18) The Ghost Story of Yotsuya / 東海道四谷怪談 (1959) by Nakagawa Nobuo / 中川 信夫 (PG) Kichiku: Banquet of the Beasts / 鬼畜大宴会 (1997) by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi (R21)