This happened to be the closing night feature film for the fourth annual Chicago Japan Film Collective (CJFC). I had managed to snag a ticket, but couldn’t drag anyone with me this time around for …
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Chicago Japan Film Collective – House of Sayuri
I actually stumbled upon knowledge about the Chicago Japan Film Collective (CJFC) back in 2023. Due to moving and timing though I wasn’t able to attend the screenings,…
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Sayuri サユリ (2024) Director: Koji Shiraishi [Chicago Japanese Film Collective 2024]
Director Koji Shiraishi subverts J-Horror tropes he helped create with his comedy-horror Sayuri サユリ (2024) where a grandmother/grandson duo fight the titular ghost for control of a house. [Chicago…
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When I was getting in line for this film, I was genuinely surprised at how long the line was. This particular film probably had the biggest turn out…
Chicago International Film Festival – My Sunshine
Another beautiful day in Chicago, and it was another film in theaters due to the Chicago International Film Festival. I was really lucky that I snagged a ticket,…
Chicago International Film Festival – Super Happy Forever
I headed out once again to Chicago, for the Chicago International Film Festival. With the Kore-eda retrospective finished, there were still three other Japanese films in the lineup…
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Qualia the Purple
By Hisamitsu Ueo and Shirou Tsunashima. Released in Japan as “Murasakiiro no Qualia” by Dengeki Bunko. Released in North America by Airship. Translated by Daniel Komen. Adapted by…
Qualia the Purple
In this life I built the greatest scientific utopia the world had ever seen. In my next life, I raised ducks. It was also nice. 2:08 - Qualia the…
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Qualia the Purple is one of those stories where much of the enjoyment comes from having as little idea as to where it's going when you first experience…
Director Spotlight #10: “Qualia”
Born in 1980, he first gained recognition as a finalist in the 1996 Junon Super Boy Contest, leading to work primarily as a model in advertising. In 2001,…
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Raging Grace (2023) Director: Paris Zarcilla [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
Raging Grace (2023), by director Paris Zarcilla, cleverly offers a balance of social commentary and historical horror that emerges in the experiences of a carer living in present-day…
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Qualia (クオリア, Ryo Ushimaru, 2023)
A timid poultry farmer’s wife begins to feel her coop’s a little cramped after unwittingly inviting her husband’s mistress to live with them in Ryo Ushimaru’s quirky family…
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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…
Japan Foundation Film Tour 2021
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Monster 怪物 (2023) Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
Monster 怪物 (2023), by director Hirokazu Kore-eda, is a Rashomon-like story about how misapprehension can cause problems and hide people’s suffering. [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]…
Japan Cuts 2018 Film Festival at the Japan Society
This past few weeks I volunteered for the Japan Society Film Department’s annual Japan Cuts film festival, which screens a host of new Japanese blockbusters, avant-garde films, and…
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In many ways, Qualia the Purple feels comparable to the likes of Steins;Gate or In Search of the Lost Future.
Qualia the Purple: The Novel Review
With an understandable story and characters, alongside a interesting plot point involving quantum physics, Qualia the Purple is worth a read.
Special - Japan Cuts Film Festival 2024
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The Apothecary Diaries #12 — Collective Punishment
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Concrete Utopia 콘크리트 유토피아 (2023) Director: Um Tae-hwa [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
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A full list of Kpop concerts in Chicago, IL in 2024. This also includes Milwaukee, WI and Madison, WI which is within a 90 min drive of Chicago.…
Kpop Concerts in Chicago 2023
A full list of Kpop concerts in Chicago in 2023. The most updated list will be in Wisconsin Kpop Facebook group. ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Nobody Knows with post-screening Question and Answer Commentary at the Chicago International Film Festival
Having just watched After the Storm, I had a bit of time to kill before attempting to rush for Nobody Knows. I got real food for dinner, puttered…
After the Storm Movie and Question and Answer Synopsis at the Chicago International Film Festival
I’m not someone who pays too much attention to big movie festivals, despite be relatively local to many. My twin was nice enough to tip me off that…
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The good folks from The Japan Foundation, London have sent us details of the The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme. The UK's largest J...
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It's that time of year again The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is back for 2022. They've got 20 Japanese films and 25 UK cities wi...
Qualia ~The Path of Promise~ now on the Switch
After some waiting, we're finally getting a Switch port!
Qualia ~The Path of Promise~ now on the Switch
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Japan Academy Film Prize Announces Nominees for 47th Edition
The Japan Academy Film Prize, Japan’s equivalent of the Oscars awarded by the Nippon Academy-Sho Association of industry professionals, has announced the candidate list for its 47th edition which h…
Japan Academy Film Prize Announces Winners for 47th Edition
Godzilla Minus One takes Best Picture while Sakura Ando picks up both leading and supporting actress.
Japan Academy Film Prize Announces Winners for 46th Edition
The Japan Academy Film Prize, Japan’s equivalent of the Oscars awarded by the Nippon Academy-Sho Association of industry professionals, has announced the winners for its 46th edition which honours …