Japanese Film Festival 2024

Japanese Film Festival 2024 features Samurai (Japanese warriors) films.

In special collaboration with MuviKali, a cultural event organised by Alliance Française de Dar and Goethe-Institut Tansania, we welcome you to the deep and authentic world of Japanese period drama (Jidaigeki).

<Synopsis>
After slaying his best friend and losing his beloved, the samurai puts evildoers to the sword of sorrow. Iwane Sakazaki (Tori Matsuzaka) returns to his homeland located in present-day northeastern Kyushu, Japan and becomes caught in the middle of an incident that results in the tragic death of two of his best friends from childhood. He is forced to leave his domain, parting with his fiancée Nao (Kyoko Yoshine) who he was going to marry shortly after his return and becomes a vagrant masterless samurai with nothing more to lose. Iwane begins living in a row house in Edo (present-day Tokyo), making a living filleting eel during the day and working as a bodyguard at night for Imazuya, a reputable money exchanger. He gradually wins the trust of the people around him ―including his landlord Kinbe (Baijaku Nakamura), who helped Iwane find work, and his daughter Okon (Fumino Kimura), who becomes drawn to him― because of his mellow nature like a spring breeze, the chivalrous way he treats everyone with courtesy, and the fact that he is a master swordsman as well. One day, he learns that his employer, Imazuya, is being targeted in a conspiracy to sabotage a new monetary system implemented by the government. Though still trying to recover from the anguish he suffered back home, Iwane decides to do what he can to protect the kind people of Edo who has given him support.
Director: MOTOKI Katsuhide, 2019, 121 min, G: Appropriate for people of all ages.

<Synopsis>
After about 250 years of peace in Japan, samurai warriors in the mid-19th century were impoverished. Consequently, many left their masters to become wandering ronin. Mokunoshin Tsuzuki (played by Sosuke Ikematsu) is one such samurai. He survives by helping farmers in a village out of Edo. To maintain his swordsmanship skills, Mokunoshin spars daily with Ichisuke (Ryusei Maeda), a farmer 's son. Ichisuke's sister Yu (Yu Aoi) watches them train with a hint of disapproval although there' s an unspoken attraction between her and Mokunoshin. While farm life is peaceful, there is monumental turmoil in Japan. The US Navy has sent Commodore Perry to Japan to insist that it trades with them. This in turn causes civil unrest. Yuis concerned as she senses that Mokunoshin will soon leave to join the impending civil war, and consequently die. One day the three of them come across two dueling samurai. The winner is Jirozaemon Sawamura (Shinya Tsukamoto), a mild mannered yet skilful ronin. Sawamura invites Mokunoshin and Ichisuke to go with him to Edo where a group of samurai is waiting. The group will eventually go to Kyoto to fight in the civil war. Mokunoshin and Ichisuke agree to join although Ichisuke feels inadequate as he is a farmer' s son and not a samurai. Sawamura assures him that his swordsmanship is all that matters. Sawamura observes the two spar with each other and is particularly impressed by Mokunoshin. Sawamura stays in the village to look for other potential warriors when a group of outlaw ronin arrives. The villagers have heard terrifying rumors about the outlaw's leader, Sezaemon Genda (Tatsuya Nakamura). Mokunoshin is in awe of a sword's formidable power. While he contemplates what it means to wield a sword, Ichisuke is eager to leave farm life behind to fight in a war. Yu is worried to death about her brother and heartbroken that Mokunoshin is leaving. At the same time, she also grows fascinated with Sawamura 's valor. When the hot blooded Ichisuke takes on the outlaws, the direction of their lives drastically changes.
Director: TSUKAMOTO Shinya, 2019, 80 min, PG-12
*This film contains violent and sexual content that may not be appropriate for some viewers. We do not recommend this film for children and people who may have flashbacks from the violent scene.