Katayama and Uchida does not merely offer a glance at the relational drama that hides behind the neon-lit night-life and pleasure district, but also delivers a narrative that hits all the right emo…
Oct 9, 2023 • Subscribe
More like this
Ripples (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival]
With her quirky sense of humor, she delivers one of the most illuminating explorations of the effect the gap between the imaginary equilibrium of the ego and the…
Tea Friends (2023) review [Camera Japan festival]
Sotoyama investigates, in a very touching way, the radical discordance between the societal field and the elderly subject.
Natchan’s little Secret (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival 2023]
Introduction More and more directors take the opportunity to explore the complex dimensions of sexuality within the Japanese societal field within their films. In recent years, more films…
Is This Heaven? (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival]
An experimental narrative that gives the idea of wandering spirits a fresh and whimsical spin
Remain in Twilight (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“Matsui delivers another masterpiece that will long linger in the spectator’s mind.”
Alivehoon (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival]
Shimoyama hits all the common beats of the sports-genre, but succeeds in elevating his exploration of the art of drifting by framing the battling cars in an exciting…
Closet (2020) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A filmic piece that will not only induce a forlorn feeling in its spectators but also invite them to deeply question their own interpersonal functioning.”
Love Will Tear Us Apart (2023) review [Camera Japan Festival]
A narrative that blows a refreshing wind in both the slasher and the romance genre.
Shrieking In The Rain (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A narrative that does everything well, but lacks the emotional punch to make the experience unforgettable.”
Nagi’s Island (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival]
The power of Nagasawa’s narrative does not simply lie in the engaging emotional rhythm, as dictated by the musical decorations, but in the genuineness that oozes from every…
Riverside Mukolitta (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival]
A highly touching narrative about re-finding social life.
Between Us (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A great narrative that celebrates the energetic art of Japanese drumming in pleasing way.”
Prior Convictions (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A very relevant exploration of the fact that the criminal act is, in many cases, born from an antagonistic relation between the subject and the Other.”
Bad City (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival]
Sonamura delivers everything one expects from an action-thriller.
Ninja Vs Shark (2023) review [Camera Japan 2023]
A pleasant B-film action experience.
I Never Shot Anyone (2020) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“Sakamoto creates a nice, pleasant ride, but one that will be easily forgotten.”
It’s a summer film (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A highly entertaining film that offers a nostalgic and touching dive into youthful passion and romantic feelings and lighthearted celebration of indie-filmmaking and often-forgotten beauty o…
Tamano Visual Poetry: Nagisa’s Bicycle (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival]
Despite delivering three engaging and visually beautiful narratives, the short nature of overall narrative undercuts the impact the movie could have had.
It’s All My Fault (2022) review [Camera Japan Festival 2022]
A touching narrative that explores how difficult it is for subject to assume a place for himself, a place from where he/she can desire, without the structuring influence…
Eternally Younger Than Those Idiots (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
A narrative that, due to its elegant engendering of genuine emotions, offers a touching exploration of the subjective obstacles that complicate the subject’s coming-into-being and his inter-persona…
Korea Independent Animation Festival 2023 in Japan
A look at the films and talks that will be screened online at the Korea Independent Animation Festival 2023 – available to viewers in Japan
Camera Japan Announces Complete Programme for 2023
In Rotterdam 21st to 24th September and Amsterdam 28th September to 1st October
The Fable: The Killer who Doesn’t Kill (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A satisfying sequel that fans of Fable’s first outing should not pass this up.”
461 Days of Bento: A Promise Between Father and Son (2020) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A heartwarming narrative that does not only affirm that food is what brings people together, but also that the very act of preparing food, in many cases, functions…
Straying (2022) review [Camera Japan 2022]
A pleasant and charming exploration of the fact that, within the game of love and romance and beyond, subjects often rely on acting-out to reveal to the other…
Before Anyone Else (2023) Director: Tetsuya Mariko [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
Before Anyone Else (2023), by director Tetsuya Mariko, is a very atmospheric and well-acted short film set in Chicago. A gritty and believable ride done with restraint and…
An Interview with Tetsuya Mariko, Director of Before Anyone Else (2023) [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
An Interview with “Before Anyone Else” (2023) director Tetsuya Mariko, where he goes into the making of his atmospheric film. [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
My Broken Mariko (2022) [Fantasia Film Festival]
Tanada offers a compelling exploration of the emotional turmoil a female subject caused by the sudden death of someone important.
Life of Mariko in Kabukicho (探偵マリコの生涯で一番悲惨な日, Eiji Uchida & Shinzo Katayama, 2022)
A kabukicho detective has her work cut out for her when hired to track down a missing alien in Eiji Uchida & Shinzo Katayama’s zany comedy.
Life in Japan: Random Acts of Kindness
Unfairly or not, Japanese people seem to have a reputation for being shy, especially when it comes to new social situations and meeting foreigners. I can’t tell you…
Life in Japan: Random Acts of Kindness
Unfairly or not, Japanese people seem to have a reputation for being shy, especially when it comes to new social situations and meeting foreigners. I can’t tell you…
Yomu in Japan: Cultural Festival Edition
All right, I’ve been dragging my feet a bit in regards to writing this post. It’s actually been a little over a month now, as the cultural festival…
Interview with Ilya Kuvshinov [Japan Tours Festival 2023]
The post Interview with Ilya Kuvshinov [Japan Tours Festival 2023] appeared first on Full Frontal.
Korea Independent Animation Festival 2022 in Japan
A look at the films and talks that will be screened online at the Korea Independent Animation Festival 2022 – available to viewers in Japan
Camera Japan Announces Complete Programme for 2021
Runs in Rotterdam 23rd to 26th September & in Amsterdam 30th September to 3rd October
Camera Japan Announces Complete Programme for 2022
In Rotterdam Sept. 22 to 25 and Amsterdam Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
A Weekend in my Life (in Japan)
While the vast majority of my uploads these days are my diary entries instead of travel posts, I recently realised that I could make things even more personal.…
Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Konaka offers the spectator a heartwarming invitation to re-find, within oneself, one’s (nearly extinguished) passion for creation.
Winny (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Matsumoto offers a serene insight in how the Other of the law curtails a subject and, indirectly, sabotages the prospects of a new industry.
Plastic (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Miyazaki creates a moody narrative that highlights the equivocal functionality of music for the subject as well as the destructive impact of not being able to create an…
Holiday Review: MY BROKEN MARIKO
There was another notable josei one-shot that came out late this year. It's all about grief and loss. In that sense, it feels like the per...
Manga Review: My Broken Mariko
My Broken Mariko is an intense, single volume manga about Tomoyo Shiino after the death of her friend Mariko. This manga covers topics of abuse, depression, rape, and…
My Broken Mariko Manga Review
Some topics can be very hard to discuss through normal means of conversation or even writing. It can be difficult to really capture the full meaning behind these…
Life in Japan Episode 1: Christmas in Kyoto
The start of a new KFC holiday tradition - Kyoto For Christmas. Read more
In China, Behind the Camera
An ink-wash animation pioneer, plus animation news.
Japan Nature Caught On Camera! A Chat w Japan Trail Cam | Japan Station 102
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we talk to Wombat, one of the creators of Japan Trail Cam. About Wuon-Gean Ho Wombat spends his day in…
Father of The Milky Way Railroad (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
By being able to rely on such talent, Narushima is able to deliver a narrative that gracefully moves the spectator and elegantly provokes spectator’s emotions and tears.
Life as a Ski Instructor in Japan
Have you ever wanted to be a ski instructor in Japan? Here's what it's like to work on some of the best slopes in the world.
Episode 144 – It’s Always Sunny In Kabukicho
After some delay, we are able to finally bring you our last episode of 2018 and it is a special one. With the Gintama series moving to a…
Hyper Japan Festival, London 2022
For three days in late July, Battersea Park in London England was taken over by Japan. I’m talking about the Hyper Japan Festival, of course! Going strong since…