Korean Film Festival 2013

Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines once again brings Korean cinema to the Filipino public. The Korean Film Festival 2013 features six movies namely A Werewolf Boy, Masquerade, Sunny, Green Days, Deranged, and Dancing Queen. It will be held in SM Megamall on Sept 18-22, SM Iloilo on Sept 26-29, SM Cebu on Oct 3-6 and SM Lanang in Davao on Oct 10-13.

SM MEGAMALL

Sept 18

19:00 A Werewolf Boy

Sept 19

16:30 Masquerade

19:35 Dancing Queen

Sept 20

16:30 Green Days

19:10 Deranged

Sept 21

13:00 Green Day

15:30 Dancing Queen

18:25 Sunny

Sept 22

13:00 A Werewolf Boy

15:55 Sunny

18:50 Masquerade

SM ILOILO

Sept 26

19:00 Sunny

Sept 27

17:10 Dancing Queen

20:00 Green Days

Sept 28

14:20 Green Days

17:10 Dancing Queen

20:00 Deranged

Sept 29

14:20 A Werewolf Boy

17:10 Sunny

20:00 Masquerade

SM CEBU

Oct 03

19:00 A Werewolf Boy

Oct 04

18:30 Deranged

21:00 Sunny

Oct 05

16:00 Green Days

18:30 Masquerade

21:00 A Werewolf Boy

Oct 06

16:00 Green Days

18:30 Dancing Queen

21:00 Deranged

SM LANANG PREMIER

Oct 10

19:00 Masquerade

Oct 11

18:00 Deranged

20:30 Green Days 

Oct 12

15.25 Green Days

17:45 Dancing Queen

20:30 A Werewolf Boy

Oct 13

15:00 Deranged

17:45 Sunny

20:30 Masquerade

I highly recommend Sunny because it's one of my all-time favorite movies! Masquerade, A Werewolf Boy, and Dancing Queen are good, too. I plan to watch Deranged this friday so hopefully that'll push through. :)

2013 Eiga Sai (A Japanese Film Festival)

Eiga Sai 2013

EIGA SAI 2013 

In celebration of the Philippines–Japan Friendship Month in July and the 40th Year of ASEAN – Japan Friendship and Cooperation anchored on the theme “ASEAN-Japan Partnership: Thoughts Connected- Future Connected”, a series of culturally-inspiring and artistically-stimulating month–long activities are to be expected from The Japan Foundation, Manila in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, UP Film Institute, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines with the support of WAO Corporation, SPOT.PH, ClickTheCity.Com, Cravings, C2 Classic Cuisine, Lombardi’s, Wicked, and the Coffee Beanery. The staging of the much-anticipated “Eiga-Sai” (Japanese Film Festival) kicks-off the festivity and commences with an invitational screening to the film “About Her Brother” (“Otouto”) on July 3 at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. 

“Otouto” is Master filmmaker Yoji Yamada’s first contemporary feature in ten years. He has always been known for his humanistic films. Paying homage to Ichikawa Kon's film of the same title, the film’s story revolves on a widow's unconditional love for her prodigal brother, as well as that of other people who have been touched by her kindness. Itisa heartwarming depiction of the bond between a hard-working older sister Ginko (Yoshinaga Sayuri) and her younger brother Tetsuro (Shofukutei Tsurube), an unsuccessful performer and drunkard. Widowed young, Ginko runs a pharmacy in Tokyo and lives with her daughter, Koharu (Aoi Yu). Koharu is to marry a distinguished doctor; but, out of the blue, Ginko's long lost brother, Tetsuro shows up at the wedding—wasted and not in his best elements, he ruins the occasion. Having to put up with him all her life, Ginko is ready to disown her burdensome younger brother; but, some things are easier said than done. 

The film has enjoyed successful runs at various international film festivals abroad and emerged as one of the most acclaimed films from Japan in 2010, earningthe closing night attraction at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival. 

This year’s festival will also feature the complete edition of Always Sunset on Third Street (ALWAYS - Zoku Sancho-me no Yuhi) Part 1 to 3, Confessions (Kokuhaku), Kamui (Kamui Gaiden), Rinco’s Restaurant (Shokudo Katatsumuri), Mai Mai Miracle (Mai Mai Shinko to sennen no maho), Castle Under Fiery Skies (Katen no Shiro), Japan, Our Homeland, Parade and Dear Doctor. 

All films will be shown with English subtitles. Screening venues are at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2 (July 4 to 14), Abreeza, Ayala and FDCP Cinematheque, Davao City (July 19 to 28), Ayala Center Cinema 4, Cebu City (August 7 to 11) and UP Film Institute, Quezon City (August 19 to 25). For detailed screening schedules and inquiries, please access the Japan Foundation, Manila website: www.jfmo.org.ph or call the JFM telephone numbers (+632) 811-6155 to 58.

Downloads: 2013 Eiga Sai flyer & Screening schedule

TRAILERS

Ototo (2010)

Always - Sunset on Third Street (2005)


Always - Sunset on Third Street (2007)


Always - Sunset on Third Street (2012)


Confessions (2010)


Castle Under Fiery Skies (2009)


Japan, Our Homeland (2006)


Light Up, Nippon (2012)
Not a trailer. I think this is the entire docu.


Dear Doctor (2009)


Kamui Gaiden (2009)


Parade (2010)


Mai Mai Miracle (2009)


Wanko - The Story of Me, My Family and My Dog (2011)


Fukushima Hula Girls (2011)


Rinco's Restaurant (2010)


Haru's Journey (2010)



Brave Story (2006)

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I realized that I'll be away on the last week of Eiga Sai but I hope that I'll have time the other days! I've never attended Eiga Sai in all my years in Manila but I plan to change that this year. Hohoho.

So, who wants to watch Eiga Sai with me? :)

F4(ever)

❤

I know the picture's dated 2008, but I cannot find a recent photo of F4. Their tour in Japan is known as their last concert together, but seems like it's not the last performance because they just confirmed to perform on stage together for Jiangsu TV's Spring Festival Gala! Who's excited? I know I am.

If you don't believe me, then check out the following articles:

• After 4 Years, an F4 Reunion is Confirmed
• F4 to Reunite After 4 Years

F4 doesn't even need an introduction because they're four of the most celebrated acts in Asia. Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou (my Zaizai hee :D), Vaness Wu and Ken Chu were the ones who started the Asianovela treand in my country. And I don't think any Japanese or Korean act has achieved their popularity here. Not Super Junior, not Lee MinHo, not even Big Bang has reached the level of poularity in the Philippines the way these four did. I'm not even sure what charm these four hold that their presence seems to be immortal. I mean, Meteor Garden was released on 2001 and more than a decade later, they're still quite popular. And when we say F4, we don't think of Hana Yori Dango or Boys Over Flowers.  We think of this F4.

They ruled my world when I was 13 years old, but I have moved on. That doesn't mean that I no longer care about them! I consider them my first Asian love since they introduced me to East Asian pop culture! (It was actually ZaiZai who was the guest VJ of J/K Non-Stop on MTV China when they first played the Hug MV of TVXQ! Talk about fandom clash coincidence!)

Anyway, let's travel back in time by looking at old photos that will make you swoon and cringe at the same time. Sometimes, I still ask myself why I ended up obsessing over them. Haha.

♡

♡

More photos under the cut because I don't want to scare you. Haha.

Oguri Shun and Okada Masaki Star on Space Brothers

Plot: 
When Mutta was 12-years-old and Hibito was 9-years-old the two brothers saw what they thought was an UFO flying towards the moon. They made a pact then to become astronauts and one day fly into space together.  

Fast forward to the year 2025. Older brother Mutta (Oguri Shun) works as for an automotive company and his younger brother Hibito (Okada Masaki) works as an astronaut. Although Mutta failed to follow through on his childhood promise, after losing his job, he receives a phone call from Hibito which reignites his childhood dream of flying into outer space. (Asianwiki)

I laughed so much when I saw the poster. How can that guy be Oguri Shun?! Haha. You know an actor is serious about his craft when he's willing to go through drastic changes just to play out a character. I've loved Oguri Shun since Gokusen, and I think I'll love him even more in this movie.

I have only seen two works of Okada Masaki (I Give My First Love to You and Confession) and loved him in both. So yes, I am pretty psyched to see this movie. I won't say no to some bromance and brotherly love.

The premise of the movie seems promising, too. It's based on a manga, Ucho Kyodai, and I happen to like movies based on mangas. I wonder how this one plays out. It was already released on Japan May of this year and was screened on the 2012 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.

See some stills and the trailer below:

Sources: Asianwiki + FTG