I don’t think that the Chicago Japan Film Collective needs too much introduction on my blog. I’ve covered the two in person screening for Sayuri, and Qualia with more information about …
Dec 6, 2024 • Subscribe
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Chicago Japan Film Collective – Qualia
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…
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,…
Chicago Japan Film Collective 2024 (November 14th-24th)
A look at the 11 films at the Chicago Japan Film Collective 2024 (Nov. 14 – 24) – two in cinemas and nine to stream online via SAKKA
Stream Contemporary Japanese Film with the Chicago Japan Film Collective (May 25th to 31st)
Information on the Nine Japanese Films Playing at the Chicago Japan Film Collective (May 25th to 31st)
Stream Contemporary Japanese Film with the Chicago Japan Film Collective (May 21st to 30th 2022)
Information on the Japanese Films Playing as part of the Chicago Japan Film Collective (May 21st to 30th)
![Featured image for Sayuri サユリ (2024) Director: Koji Shiraishi [Chicago Japanese Film Collective 2024]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20241114/1731618224.93304.134732.jpg)
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…
Chicago International Film Festival – Cloud
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 – 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…
Japanese Films at the Chicago Film Festival 2023
A Preview of the Chicago International Film Festival 2023 – October 11 to 22 – Monster, Evil Does Not Exist, The Boy and the Heron, Before Anyone Else,…
#StayHome Master List of Online Conventions, Concerts, Film Screenings, and Other Events
We scoured the interwebs and compiled a list of upcoming online events, such as conventions, concerts, films being screened on-demand, and more!
Toshiaki Toyoda’s Uprising 2021 in Chicago and A New Toyoda Film
Details on Toshiaki Toyoda’s Uprising 2021 in Chicago and crowdfunding for his new film.
![Featured image for Raging Grace (2023) Director: Paris Zarcilla [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231211/1702274770.74610.111301.jpg)
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…
![Featured image for Before Anyone Else (2023) Director: Tetsuya Mariko [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231204/1701665770.74209.110805.jpg)
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…
‘Making Japan’ & ‘The Japanese House’ – A Review of Virtual Exhibitions
For this weeks assignment we were asked to visit and review an exhibition related to Japanese art or textiles. However, due to money and time limitations I was…
Japan Foundation Film Tour 2021
By Jasper Sharp. The ongoing Coronavirus crisis may have disrupted many aspects of the cultural calendar, but it is heartening to report that one the Japan Foundation UK…
Their collective masterpiece: Urusei Yatsura
How did Yoshinori Kanada go from being “merely” a very talented animator to one of the most influential members of the anime industry? That’s a fascinating question, and…
Urusei Yatsura, Magical Princess Minky Momo, OZ, Tetsujin 28
![Featured image for Monster 怪物 (2023) Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231225/1703501170.75486.112359.jpg)
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…
![Featured image for Concrete Utopia 콘크리트 유토피아 (2023) Director: Um Tae-hwa [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20231218/1702916770.75043.111808.jpg)
Concrete Utopia 콘크리트 유토피아 (2023) Director: Um Tae-hwa [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]
Concrete Utopia 콘크리트 유토피아 (2023), directed by Um Tae-hwa, is a disaster movie that marries together an apocalyptic earthquake and the dog-eat-dog world of home ownership in Korea. [Chicago…
The Future of Japan On Film
In this short episode, Perry updates everyone on the status of the upcoming eighth season, as well as an important announcement about the future of Japan On Film.
Special - Japan Cuts Film Festival 2024
Table of Contents Hello everyone, Once again this year, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the Japan Cuts 2024 film…
The Apothecary Diaries #12 — Collective Punishment
You could just skip over the horrific violence instead of explicitly bringing it up, you know. This show's off for at least a week for the holidays.…
First Book—The Short Story Collective
The Short Story Collective is a thirteen-part journey through contemporary Japan taking in themes as disparate as mental illness, Buddhism, the human drive for validation, workplace harassment, cults,…
First Book—The Short Story Collective
The Short Story Collective is a thirteen-part journey through contemporary Japan taking in themes as disparate as mental illness, Buddhism, the human drive for validation, workplace harassment, cults,…
Virtual Tourism With Anime
By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting At some point later this year I will likely be presenting on this topic at a local convention, and–as such– I’ve decided…
G-FEST IN CHICAGO TODAY
G-Fest was a blast today. My son Christian who is now 8 years old, was a maniac. It's funny how he's not really a Godzilla fan, but his…
Kpop Concerts in Chicago 2024
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. ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Kpop Concerts in Chicago 2025
A full list of Kpop concerts in Chicago, IL in 2025. This also includes Milwaukee, WI (90 min from Chicago) and Madison, WI (2 hr from Chicago). The…
Do you go to anime screenings at theaters?
How often are screenings of anime films/episodes available in your area? Do you prefer seeing new films or classic/rereleased titles? What things can an organizer do to make…
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…
Japan and the Foreign Language Film Oscar
Japan’s choice of Wim Wenders’ PERFECT DAYS (2023) as its submission for Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards and its subsequent nomination got me to thinking…
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016...
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016 IKIRU: The Highs ...
Japan On Film is (likely) coming back!
Last year, I told you that Japan On Film was ending for the time being, but that I hoped to find a way to bring it back. It…
Behind the Games – Interview with Aikasa Collective
Hey Hey Blerdy Tribe, I’m back with another Behind the Games post! For those of you just joining the party, Behind the Games is a segment where I interview the folks ‘behind…
JFTFP18: Sixteen films; Eighteen venues; 131 screenings – done!...
JFTFP18: Sixteen films; Eighteen venues; 131 screenings – done! ...
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]
Episode 91 - Dr. Susan Burns (Chicago)
In this episode, Dr. Susan Burns positions the history of leprosy in Japan amidst changing conceptions of disease and medical practice in the Tokugawa and Meiji periods. We…
Episode 72 - Dr. Ayako Yoshimura (Chicago)
In this episode, Dr. Yoshimura weaves kimono into the study of Japanese material culture and folklore from the Meiji Period, noting how kimono fashion and cultural practices changed…
(Virtual) Fanime 2021 – Hosting Panels
Hi Everyone! I just wanted to announce that I will be hosting two panels at this year’s anime convention, Fanime, which is being hosted virtually. This is the…
The Japan Foundation UK Touring Film Programme 2023
The good folks from the UK branch of the Japan Foundation have sent us details of their much loved Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2...
The Japan Foundation UK Touring Film Programme 2024
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...
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2022 Details
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...
Female Voices of Japan: Contemporary Film Directors & Screenwriters
Female-led films help challenge conventional portrayals of women on screen. These female film directors are taking the lead in Japan.
My Unsolicited Thoughts: Netflix Original ‘Gundam’ Live Action Film
In case you’ve forgotten, Sunrise and Legendary announced a live action Gundam film in 2018 as part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary. We haven’t heard anything since and…
Make Believe Mailer #137: Virtual Possibilities
Hoshimachi Suisei, VOLTCATION, Tsukino Mito And More From VTuber Music World
The Perfect Storm of Virtual Youtubers
As the days go by, I increasingly find myself looking into the world of Virtual Youtubers. I watch the clips and highlights that go around, and I sometimes…
What’s your favorite Virtual Reality anime?
Do you prefer fantasy or sci-fi themed VR stories? What’s your favorite title? What upsides/downsides of the genre stick out to you? The post What’s your favorite Virtual Reality…
This Week in Games - EVO Japan 2024: You Ain't From Chicago If You Ain't Broken exA Before!
Find out about the young star who set the internet aflame and walked away with two medals. Plus: Thousand-Year Door updates, a new HunterxHunter game, and Miku!