Japan Film Festival Los Angeles will include the following events:
Saturday,real sex in the family videos Sept. 14: Free screenings at Hang on the Dream Theatre, 1625 Las Palmas, Hollywood.
11:30 a.m.: “Who’s Dancing Now?”Baba Koichi is the head of the design department at a construction company. He constantly quarrels with his wife and daughter. At work, he acts selfishly and is viewed with contempt by those around him. One day, Koichi is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. On the recommendation of his doctor, Koichi starts attending PD SMILE, a rehabilitation facility for Parkinson’s disease. Gradually, he begins to come out of his shell through his first dance experience. (In person: Director Shun Cony)
1:40 p.m.: “Whale Restaurant.”This documentary presents the story of a whale restaurant that has attracted the interest of many people around the world. The film also touches on the issue of “protein sources” on the planet and various related environmental issues from a scientific perspective by a top international scientist. (In person: Director Keiko Yagi)
3:15 p.m.: “MADO.”A socially conscious drama based on a true story of the actual court case known as “Yokohama Secondhand Smoke Trial” in Japan. (In person: Director Mao, actor Masahiko Nishimura)
Sunday, Sept. 15: Free short film screenings at Hang on the Dream Theatre.
11:30 a.m.: Six short films and Q&A with directors and cast members: “Nezumikozo Jirokichi,” “Follow the Sun,” “The Left Hand Dreams,” “Ms. Destiny,” “I Wish I Had a Supernatural Power,” “Himukaiser.”
3 p.m.: “18 Blossom.”In Japan, the age of adulthood has been lowered to 18. While young people are granted the right to vote, they still face risks, such as becoming responsible for their own contracts and experiencing an increase in consumer-related issues, which remain social problems. This movie portrays young people who are caught between the worlds of adults and children and are dealing with personal issues. Through filmmaking, they build friendships, and delinquent boys reflect on their relationships with their parents.
Sunday, Sept. 15: Washoku and Movies, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Japan House Los Angeles, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
3 p.m.: Free director/cast talk show. “Who’s Dancing Now?”: Shun Shioya, Nozomi Kojima, director Shun Cony; “Good Morning L.A.”: Emika Kamieda; “Follow the Sun”: director Sybil Wendler; “Whale Restaurant”: director Keiko Yagi;? “MADO”:?Masahiko Nishimura, director MAO; “Ms. Destiny”:?directors Jumpei & Morita; “Dragonfly”: director Julie Morizawa; “The Left Hand Dreams”: director Fumie Nishikawa; “Wabi-Sabi”: director Josephine Green Zhang; “Unreachable Star”: director Sharon Park, writer Kelsey Kawana
3:30 p.m.: Free screening of 10 short films and Q&A with directors and cast: “Dragonfly,” “Places We Knew,” “Red Ark,” “Shizuka,” “Synapse,” “The Unreachable Star,” “Uyafaafuji” (Ancestors), “Good Morning L.A.” and more.
6:30 p.m.: Awards and closing ceremony (guests only but will be available online)
For information on in-person and online screenings: https://jffla.org/