In case you haven’t heard, Japenese Film Festival is back in Malaysia with an impressive array of award-winning Japanese films to be shown at Golden Screen Cinemas!
Together with 2014 Japanese Film Festival organizers – Japan Foundation, the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia launched the 11th edition of the Festival on 9th of September at GSC Pavilion KL with a private screening of the movie, “Mourning Recipe” by Tanada Yuki.
(L-R): Mio Yachita (Japan Foundation), Kugai Kyoko (Japan Foundation), Linora Low
The event was hosted by Mr. Yoshinori Kodama, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, along with Mr. Shoichi Toyoda (Director of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur). Also present was Ms. Mio Yachita (Head of Cultural Affairs/ Assistant Director of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur) and Ms. Kyoko Kugai (Senior Program Officer of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur).
Among the honoured guests who graced the event with their presence include:
- Ms Koh Mei Lee (CEO, Golden Screen Cinemas)
- Alvin Malasig (Vice Consul, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines)
- Ms. Paula Gallego (Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Mexico)
- Gavin Anderson (Director, British Council)
- Kenji Ohta (General Manager, Misubishi Corporation)
- Katsunori Imuta (CEO, Itochu Corporation)
- Tomoko Takahashi (Honorary Consul General to Malaysia, Consulate General of Malaysia KL Office)
- Y. Bhg. Dato’ Motohiro Otsuka (Honorary Consul General to Malaysia, International Youth Centre Foundation)
(L-R): Gavin Anderson (British Council), Grey Yeoh, Sharyn Shu Fiyan, Harumi Anderson
Present for the event were also local film makers, Tan Chui Mui and Patrick Lim, Hassan Muthalib (Animator/Film Specialist) as well as Janet Tee Siew Mooi (Director, Museum of Natural Science).
During the launch of the event, Ms Koh Mei Lee said that GSC anticipates the occupancy rate will maintain and improve as they’ve slotted 13 award-winning films for this year’s Japanese Film Festival. She said in her welcome speech that the improved occupancy rate will drive the admission to Film Festivals in the cinemas. She added:
This year, GSC, through GSC Movies Sdn Bhd is proud to be able to value add by providing four titles for the 2014 Japanese Film Festival, namely anime movies “Initial D Legend 1: Awakening”, “Saint Seiya Movie: Legend Of Sanctuary”, “The Wind Rises” and drama movie “Like Father, Like Son”.
Mr. Yoshinori Kodama, the Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan also said:
The main objective of this festival is to introduce contemporary Japanese films to the audience in Malaysia and in turn open a window of understanding to Japanese culture and ideas. This year’s Film Festival presents a good selection of heart-warming dramas and rib-tickling comedies including five new releases making their Malaysian premiere.
All films will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles. The films will be released from 11th September – 21st September.
(L-R) Mr. Toyoda Shoichi (Japan Foundation), Mr. Kodama Yoshinori (Embassy of Japan), Ms. Koh Mei Lee (Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn Bhd), Mr. Ohta Kenji (Mitsubishi Corporation), Mr. Imuta (The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur), Mr Chin Vin Sen (Cinema Online), Ms. Kung Suan Ai (Pavilion KL Mall), Mr. Ho Hock Doong (ASTRO)
The list of cinemas participating in the Japanese Film Festival 2014 are as follows:
KLANG VALLEY
Dates: 11 – 16 September
Venues: GSC Pavilion KL, GSC Mid Valley, GSC One Utama
GEORGE TOWN
Dates: 18 – 21 September
Venues: GSC Gurney Plaza
KUCHING
Dates: 11 – 16 September
Venues: GSC CityOne Megamall
KOTA KINABALU
Dates: 11 – 16 September
Venues: GSC Suria Sabah Mall
For movie details and more information on Japanese Film Festival 2014, kindly log on to Japan Foundation KL’s and GSC’s official website.