Nippon Cinema

In 2013 the Japanese film market saw 591 domestic entries, more than ever before. Two years after the triple disaster, the film industry in Japan has recovered. The share of Japanese films in Japanese cinemas is still around 60%, with most of the imports coming from Hollywood. Digitalization has changed film production as well as distribution. The market of independent cinema is also increasing, even if reaching the audience is not easy, since the market is still dominated by big budget productions.

Once more, we have chosen some of the most exciting new productions from Japan for you. We see both well known and new names among the directors. The NIPPON CINEMA section will present a very heterogenous but fascinating image of Japanese film, trying to find out what trends are currently moving the country. Often the focus is on identity, be it in the context of one’s own life, of family or friends. Sometimes we take a look into the past, as in NUMBER 10 BLUES / GOODBYE SAIGON, which was shot in 1974/75 during the Vietnam War, but was only rediscovered in 2012. Of course, you will also find comedies, love and coming of age stories or satires dealing with problems of everyday life, set on the brink between fantasy and reality.

At the festival, you will again have the opportunity to choose the NIPPON CINEMA AWARD winner from 16 films in the competition. We are very glad and honored that Bankhaus Metzler will donate this award of 2,000€ for the tenth time.