Philippines-Japan Friendship Month Opens on July 5 with Eiga Sai—The Japanese Film Festival

Enjoy free screenings of much-awaited contemporary Japanese films in July and August at the 2012 Eiga Sai. Presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila, in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, UP Film Institute and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. An invitational screening of the film ‘Villain’ on July 5 at Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, EDSA, Mandaluyong City is the kick-off event for the festivity.

Villain is a gritty social critique drama directed by Lee Sang-il, director of the multi-award film—Hula Girls. Eri Fukatsu who won the Best Actress Award at the Montreal World Film Festival 2010 and Japan Academy Prize 2011 for her role (Mitsuyo), takes on challenging and heated love scenes, playing a woman on the run with a murderer. Satoshi Tsumabuki (Yuichi) runs away after killing a woman (Yoshino) he met on a dating website. While the families of the victim and the assailant are left in agony, Mitsuyo becomes increasingly entangled in her relationship with Yuichi. The film was based on the novel "Akunin" by Shuichi Yoshida published in April 2007.

The film has also enjoyed successful runs at various international film festivals and emerged as one of the most acclaimed films from Japan in 2010, earning 15 nominations from the Japan Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture, Director and a variety of acting affirmations.

Completing this year’s roster of exciting films to be featured are the PEAK –The Rescuers, Railways, Happy Flight; Tomorrow’s Joe, In His Chart; Colorful, Abacus And Sword, Permanent Nobara, and Ninja Kids.

All films will be shown in 35mm format with English subtitles. Screening venues are at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 4 (July 5 to 15), Gaisano South Citimall, Davao City (July 20 to 22), Ayala Center Cinema 4, Cebu City (August 7 to 12) and UP Film Institute, Quezon City (August 15 to 21). For detailed screening schedules and inquiries, please access the Japan Foundation, Manila website: www.jfmo.org.ph or call the JFM telephone numbers (+632) 811-6155 to 58. (PRESS RELEASE)