Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Japanese film festival inaugurated in city

Staff Reporter

The fete to focus on `Jidaigeki' or historical drama

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER: Consul-General of Japan Yoshiaki Kodaki (right), with actor Swarnamalya and secretary, Madras Film Society, S. Mahadevan, at the inauguration of Japanese film festival in Chennai on Monday. — PHOTO: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI : The Consul General of Japan, Yoshiaki Kodaki, inaugurated a Japanese film festival here on Monday. The festival is organised by the Consulate, the Madras Film Society and the Indo-Cine Appreciation Foundation in association with the Japan Foundation.

Mr. Kodaki said cultural and film festivals would strengthen the bond between the two countries. "It is my firm belief that these regular cultural exchanges will provide opportunities for greater mutual understanding between our countries and create an ideal environment of trust and co-operation. I hope this festival will bring our two people closer than before."

"This year's festival focuses on `Jidaigeki' or historical drama in English. Throughout its history of Japan, `Jidaigeki' has remained our country's most enduring and defining style of film. From the earliest days of the silent era, the `Jidaigeki' has existed as a way of retelling old legends, recreating epic historical events and keeping the spirit of Samurai alive. The `Jidaigeki' films have evolved over the years to be many things, a platform for social and political criticism and an entry point for foreigners to experience an exotic view of Japan and also as a popular venue for heroic action."

Congratulating the Madras Film Society, the Consul General said "over the past 50 years, the society has contributed tremendously to the promotion of international understanding by introducing foreign films, including from Japan." Actor Swarnamalya, S. Mahadevan, secretary, Madras Film Society, E. Thangaraj, secretary, Indo Cine Appreciation foundation and Ms. Sakura Ozaki, Vice-Consul, Japansese Consulate, spoke. The inaugural film "The Twilight Samurai" was screened after the inauguration.

Other films to be screened in the festival include "Gate of Hell", "Sarasvati Young Priest", "Dixieland Daimyo" and "The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka".

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Music in the time of distraction
November 14, a twin-featured day in school
Reinvent, offer courses that will produce scholars, Chidambaram urges universities
Court asks CMDA for fee details
Camps, lectures and walks mark Diabetes Day
Japanese film festival inaugurated in city
Italian roadshow in the city from today
Save A Child's Heart programme launched
Health education from Standard VI mooted
Special cover on C.R. Pattabhi Raman
Second phase of talent search test
Jayalalithaa, Vaiko flay poll violence
Court orders protection to inquiry officer
A doctor after retirement
Pooling in money for a good cause
German Consulate to open more visa centres
Special trains
Call to strengthen coop movement
Lieutenant's portrait unveiled at school
Ramadoss writes to Manmohan
One held on cheating charge
Film on Thevar
Tenders soon for developing IT parks
Global design architects visit Chennai airport
Schoolchildren meet Barnala
Crossing the corridor
A leader and his granddaughter in town
IT quiz for students
Around the City
In Chennai Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu