Japanese Film Festival 2019

The Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with the Japan Foundation, is very pleased to announce the return of the Japanese Film Festival to Wellington.

Additionally, this year for the first time ever, New Plymouth will also host the Japanese Film Festival, which will take place on 2-3 November at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

The Japanese Film Festival is an annual event held to encourage the growth of Japanese culture and understanding in New Zealand. Each year, we try to give the people of New Zealand some insight into the culture, customs, and traditions of Japan, alongside what is popular with Japanese society today, through film.

All films will be in Japanese with English subtitles.

This year, Japanese Film Festival will feature six films from a variety of genres including drama, comedy, mystery and animation. The opening film “Born Bone Born” (Japanese title Senkotsu, “Bone-washing”) revolves around an almost-extinct funerary tradition in Okinawa, Japan. This award-winning drama weaves a heart-warming tale of a dysfunctional family brought back together through the funeral customs and rites of their late mother. Also of interest is the stunning visual rainbow of bold imagery and animation in the family-friendly feature film “Lu Over the Wall”, which took the Annecy International Animated Film Festival by storm.

Admission is free to all sessions, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking is required for the Wellington screenings via the Roxy Cinema, open from 17 October (booking fee of $1.51 applies). No booking is required for New Plymouth screenings. Session seating at both locations is open and unassigned.

Film screening schedule in Wellington:
Friday 8 November 6:30 pm: Born Bone Born (2019, Drama, 111 min, PG)
Saturday 9 November 12:00 pm: Room Laundering (2018, Comedy, Drama, 109 min, M)
Saturday 9 November 2:30 pm: Recall (2018, Drama, 120 min, M)
Saturday 9 November 5:00 pm: The Crimes That Bind (2018, Mystery, drama, 119 min, M)
Sunday 10 November 12:00 pm: Lu over the wall (2017, Animation, Children / Family, 112 min, PG)
Sunday 10 November 2:30 pm: The 8-Year Engagement (2017, Drama, Romance, 119 min, PG)