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| I did not have any art that covered both NYAFF & Japan Cuts so here is a still from BOTTLE GEORGE form 2024 which is the only film I know of to ever play both fests when they weren't co-presenting films. It is not playing this year. |
Both Japan Cuts and the New York Asian Film Festival start this week in New York City. Because they are running concurrently this year and not just over lapping, I’m doing a joint curtain raiser. Besides any lover of all things Asian cinema in New York kind of considers them one festival anyway because they have been dancing around and with each other for decades. (Apologies to the people behind both festivals). I’m just going to say that if you love Asian Cinema New York City is going to be full of films to get delighted about.
As long-time readers of Unseen Films know I have been going to NYAFF for a few years longer than I have been writing Unseen. It was always the best way to see cinema from across Asia. Because of NYAFF I ended up with a large number of the Unseen Films family because everyone goes to NYAFF. It is the place to go to see and be seen by true lovers of all types of cinema (more so than the big fancy festivals who tend to cater to the snobby/mainstream crowds). You also know that I have been very down on the festival of late-- actually I wasn't going to cover it this year but I got talked into it (thank you Stevie Wong). As a result, trust me when I say I am glad I got talked into covering the fest since based on the titles I’ve seen so far this looks to be the best NYAFF in a decade.
Through NYAFF I discovered Japan Cuts and my cinematic mind exploded. Japan Cuts is simply one of the best film festivals you can go to anywhere in the world. It has been that way since the first one and it continues to this day. It is one of maybe three festivals where the ratio of great to poor is such that if you find more than one film you don’t like in a year something has gone terribly wrong. Seriously the fest is so perfectly programmed that there is perhaps, maybe one, at most two films I don’t like per year (if that). That is unheard of, and having seen most of the films that have run over the years either at the festival or by tracking down titles I have missed, I assure you that is absolutely true. Japan Cuts does not program bad films – Every year when it comes you must see everything-or as much as your wallet will allow.
As I write this a couple of days before it posts I’m not certain how everything is going to play out. I’m trying to arrange something with Mondocurry so we can get to some of the Japan Cuts screenings in person, but this being summer and suddenly everyone wants to be out and about, there are scheduling issues. Films will be seen and reports will be filed. I have tickets for the two big genre films at NYAFF- COLONY and HOPE. I am going to both special screenings with my brother so expect lots of pictures and full reports. I have made arrangements with both festivals to see an insane amount of titles for both festivals so expect lots of reviews. I am looking to do four or five interviews. The people on tap are wickedly cool and I think you will be impressed. I would say who but the still haven’t given me a time so I don’t consider them locked in. There will be a number of reposts since I’ve seen most revival films and reviewed them. Beyond that anything can happen.
I will add that my reviews of two films have gone missing- if I ever reviewed them here. I’ve got too many other titles to write up so I just want to say that MY SASSY GIRL is playing NYAFF is glorious restoration. It’s a wickedly funny rom com that helped me fall in love with Korean Cinema. Additionally, THE STORM RIDERS is a Hong Kong classic that has great action sequences but never clicked with me beyond that. I will add that I have friends who love the film so you may love it too.
Since I am writing this before I have had a chance to truly wade into the titles of either festival, I am going to keep the recommended list for both fests very short.
I will say that for both festivals see any of the revival titles you haven't seen because they are pretty much all that good. Besides when are you going to get a chance to see them on the big screen again?
FOR JAPAN CUTS I RECOMMEND:
TOKYO TAXI – a remake of a French film called DRIVING MADELINE which I loved. Refashioned for Japan, the film stands wholly on its own feet. So much so that I think the the characters from both films would love to hang out with each other.
JUNK WORLD is the sequel to the mind blowing JUNK HEAD and while it may not be as far out there, it still is not like most things you are seing coming out of Hollywood. If you want animation that looks like nothing else, and an action film set in a unique world, this is it.
I have not seen Koreeda’s SHEEP IN A BOX but considering he has never made a bad film, I would say go if you can if only because the master will be at the screening.
SATO AND SATO is the course of a relationship over 15 years. A perfectly told film that moves backward and forward through time it's a haunting film that kicked my ass because I saw myself in the characters. Absolute one of the best films at Japan Cuts you must see it when it plays next weekend.
SUZUKI=BAKUDAN is one of the best thrillers you'll see all year. The film has a seemingly drunk homeless man getting arrested and then saying that his psychic ability says that a bomb that is going to go off- it does. Then he says there are more. To be certain this film isn't perfect but 85% of it is a taught cat and mouse game that will keep you riveted. (and if you live in Canada this film is going to be playing at Fantasia)
FOR NYAFF I RECOMMEND:
ALL GREENS -is a bleak black comedy crime film about three teenage girls wanting to get the hell out of their dead end town. Its funny at times, but has moments that are some of the darkest explorations of life and of family dysfunction. Trust me- just go with its very deliberate pacing.
I’m going to recommend LOVELY DEATH because the screening is free if you RSVP but with reservations. Shot in a vertical style – like the way you hold a cellphone- the film has issues that make me crazy. At the same time the story of the film of three women who kill themselves only to have death refuse to let them die is haunting. Its funny and touching exploration of life and death that is going to have limited audience because of how it was shot. Be part of that audience and get a ticket for free. (https://www.nyaff.org/nyaff26/films/lovely-death)
STREET KINGDOM continues NYAFF’s decades long record of picking the best music films from Asia. Here we have the true story of a photographer who was on the ground as the Japanese punk scene exploded in the wake of the Sex Pistols. This is just a great film and one of my absolute favorites of the festival.
FUJIKO is one of the great surprises of the fest. The story of a woman in Japan in 1977 who decides to divorce and raise her child on her own (it was an age when where woman were to kowtow to men) is like finding out your regular mom is actually a kick ass punk rock star.
And with that I return to the dark to watch more movies. Reviews will start dropping soon and run into August, so keep reading.
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