An exhibition dedicated to Japanese cinematography organized by the Japan Abruzzo association, in collaboration with the Flaiano association, is currently being held (25-28 June). The four evenings are taking place at Massimo.
The theme of the event is “From text to anime, from manga to live action”. Particular attention is therefore paid to the world of animation, referring to the tendency found in many works and authors to break down the boundaries between cultured and pop, creating a positive contamination between literature, comics and animated cinema.
The 5 films chosen are works of clear artistic value, exemplifying this trend, but in the selection the social themes underlying the plots of the films were also taken into account, which although they are highlighted in Japanese reality (not only contemporary) offer ideas for reflection also for our current context.
The first film screened on June 25th was Sakuran by Mika Ninagawa (2006), based on the manga of the same name by Moyoco Anno, it is the colorful portrait of the life of a courtesan in the pleasure district of ancient Edo, the Yoshiwara, and her stubborn path to free oneself from the shackles of an existence never truly accepted, in which the sense of empowerment that the Japanese director wants to convey to the younger generations resonates strongly.
On June 26, in the evening tribute to a cult director of animation, Satoshi Kon, two of his famous works will be presented: Tokyp Godfathers (2003) is inspired by the literary work of Peter B. Kyne, “The Three Godfathers” ( 1913) – in particular to one of its film adaptations, the film “In the Name of God” (1948) by John Ford -, in which those who are considered the least of society reveal their internal conflicts with great humanity and slapstick comedy; and PAPRIKA, based on the novel of the same name by Yasutaka Tsutsui, presented as a world premiere at the 63rd Venice Film Festival in 2006, a science fiction film and psychological thriller about the manipulation of the subconscious.
On June 27th, Our Little Sister by Hirokazu Koreeda (2015) is scheduled, perhaps a lesser-known work by the great Japanese author (“Family Affairs”, “The Truths”, the Netflix series “Makanai”), taken from the manga “Our Little Sister – Kamakura Diary” by Akimi Yoshida and presented in competition at the 68th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. An all-female film focused as always on family bonds, it is the story of four ‘little women’ who make their way in the world despite difficulties thanks to their alliance.
The grand finale on June 28 is entrusted to the beautiful Inu-Oh by Masaaki Yuasa (“Mind Game”, “Ride your wave”, “Devilman Crybaby”), a 2021 animated film based on Hideo Furukawa’s novel “The Tale of the Heike: the Inu-ō Chapters” and presented at the 78th Venice Film Festival, which offers a bold interpretation of the figure of Inu-ō (lit. Dog King), an enigmatic theatrical performer who really existed between the 14th and 15th centuries: “A captivating rock opera that becomes a hymn to transformation to interpret the personal and gender identity of the world”. (Sentieri Selvaggi)
Also on the 28th, before the film, the special issue of the magazine Leggendaria dedicated to Japan will be presented with the presence of Gianluca Di Fratta, one of Italy’s leading anime and manga experts, Barbara Waschimps, artistic director of the event and Claudio Caniglia, president of the association, who are among the authors of the special.
The festival, which includes all the films in the original language with Italian subtitles, has free admission: “The Japan Abruzzo association, founded by a great Pescara native, Professor Marisa Di Russo, a bridge between Japan and Italy and a pioneer of studies on the relations between the two nations, works to spread knowledge of the language and Japanese culture, beyond stereotypes and generalizations. This event, which closes the association’s “school” year, is intended as a tribute to Japanese students and to the city that has hosted its Japanese courses for ten years.” – Claudio Caniglia, president of the Japan Abruzzo association.
