Film List
International Competition
This year the International Competition, which is restricted to directors with three or fewer feature film credits, is once again comprised of 10 films from various genres. Psychological thriller Pelican Blood which has been conquering film festivals around the world; the amusingly heartrending Swedish comedy about the struggles of underdogs, The Comeback ; and the thoughtful depiction of a middle-aged couple’s life crisis, Hope , are but a few of the richly nuanced dramas in the program. Furthermore, there are two documentaries: one deals with the life of a young dancer, the other with that of a combat photographer. Their powerful imagery is sure to touch the heart. Which film will receive the festival’s laurels!
Japanese Film Competition (Feature Length)
Year after year, a growing number of films are taking advantage of their screening in this festival’s Japanese Film Competition to launch domestic theatrical releases. The competition has assembled 5 feature films and 9 short films by brilliant young talents who have dedicated themselves wholly to create their films. There is a mature human portrayal which does not seem like a graduation thesis film; a film of powerfully monochromatic imagery; a thriller with an ingenious plot the outcome of which cannot be read; and a film with characters bursting with so much charm they could actually be real. The voices of the directors can be heard in each and every one of these films. Please experience this diversity of cinema.
