The 13th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival, organized by the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, will run from June 6th to 20th at the JCCC’s Kobayashi Hall. This festival has become one of the premier events of its kind globally, recognized by the Japanese film industry as a crucial platform for showcasing Japanese cinema to an international audience.
The 2024 TorontoJFF will highlight the diverse offerings of the world’s fourth-largest film industry, featuring 23 films. Among these are the International Premieres of Kosai Sekine’s mystery drama “STAY MUM” (「かくしごと」) starring Anne Watanabe and Eiji Okuda, and Toshiyuki Teruya’s heartwarming Okinawa-based comedy “KANASANDO” (「かなさんどー」).
The festival is also excited to present the World Premiere of Alice Il Shin’s “LANDSCAPES OF HOME” (「故郷の風景」), produced by Eiko Kawabe Brown. This film explores the Japanese Canadian experience, redefining the concept of home amid war and loss.
Opening night will feature the North American Premiere of Hayato Kawai’s comic retelling of the 47 Ronin story, “DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD!” (「身代わり忠臣蔵」). Other North American Premieres include Isao Yukisada’s anti-war action film “REVOLVER LILY” (「リボルバー・リリー」), featuring Haruka Ayase as an assassin, Sho Miyake’s touching story of friendship and mental health, “ALL THE LONG NIGHTS” (「夜明けのすべて」), and Yoshiyuki Kishi’s award-winning “(AB)NORMAL DESIRE” (「正欲」).
Toshiro Saiga’s musical comedy “THE DANCING OKAMI” (「レディ加賀」), set in the Kaga Onsen region, and Izuru Narushima’s “52-HERTZ WHALES” (「52 ヘルツのクジラたち」), a tale of loneliness and identity, will also have their North American premieres.
Other premieres include Keisuke Yoshida’s kidnapping drama “MISSING” (「ミッシング」) starring Satomi Ishihara, Hiroaki Matsuyama’s detective thriller “DON’T CALL IT MYSTERY” (「ミステリと言う勿れ」), Takehisa Zeze’s boxing drama “ONE LAST BLOOM” (「春に散る」), and Eiji Uchida’s stalker thriller “MATCHED” (「マッチング」), with director Uchida attending the festival.
The festival will close with the Canadian Premiere of Mitsuhiro Mihara’s “TAKANO TOFU” (「高野豆腐店の春」), a film about the generational succession of a traditional tofu maker. Additional Canadian premieres include Yoji Yamada’s 90th film “MOM, IS THAT YOU?!” (「こんにちは、母さん」), Nobuhiro Yamashita’s romantic comedy “ONE SECOND AHEAD, ONE SECOND BEHIND” (「1秒先の彼」), and Takayuki Hamana’s family anime “THE KLUTZY WITCH” (「らくだい魔女 フウカと闇の魔女」).
Keiko Tsuruoka’s “TSUGARU LACQUER GIRL” (「バカ塗りの娘」), exploring traditional arts and gender roles, will make its Toronto debut with the director in attendance.
Special events include a presentation of Hayao Miyazaki’s “THE BOY AND THE HERON” (「君たちはどう生きるか」) with an introduction by composer Joe Hisaishi and a drawing session by animation director Takeshi Honda. Additionally, Sokichi Nakara’s documentary “LIFE IS CLIMBING” (「ライフ・イズ・クライミング！」) will be shown, with director Nakara and world champions Koichi Kobayashi and Naoya Suzuki in attendance.
Daishi Matsunaga’s 2SLGBTQ+ romance “EGOIST” (「エゴイスト」) and Ryo Takebayashi’s comedy “MONDAYS: SEE YOU ‘THIS’ WEEK MONDAY” (「このタイムループ、上司に気づかせないと終わらない」) will also be screened. Returning after its TIFF 2023 premiere is Kei Chika-ura’s “GREAT ABSENCE” (「大いなる不在」).
The festival will be held entirely at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, where attendees can also enjoy Japanese food, art exhibits, martial arts demonstrations, and musical performances before screenings.
For more information about the screenings and tickets, please visit www.torontojff.com.