KUCHING, Aug 20: Malaysian moviegoers nationwide will have a selection of 13 Japanese movies in conjunction with the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) this year.
The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL) director Shimada Seiya said that they were delighted to present moviegoers in Malaysia with a line-up of 13 movies.
“The films are ready to capture hearts and minds of Malaysians, both existing and new movie-goers,” he told a press conference to announce the details of the JFF 2019 held at Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) in Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur here today.
He said that ever since the festival started, JFF has been showcasing movies and titles from an array of genres, themes and perspective of Japan’s cinematic heritage.
Seiya added that 12 out of the 13 films selected to be screened this year are titles released in 2018 and 2019.
“One of them is our opening film ‘Little Nights, Little Love’ directed by Imaizumi Rikiya which will only be released in Japan on Sept 20,” he revealed.
“A special music feature on music movies titled ‘Music! Music! Music!’ will showcase ‘Little Love Song’. It is a story about a high school band in Okinawa which was made and inspired by some hit songs of MONGOL800, ‘Farewell Song’,” he added.
He emphasised that 2019 is also a very special year for JFKL as it is their 30th anniversary since its establishment in Malaysia back in 1989.
“As part of JFF 2019 and also to celebrate JFKL’s 30th anniversary, GSC has created such a special poster for this special year,” he shared.
“We are honoured to be able to be here today and we look forward to many more years of sharing and fostering the bond and love between Japan and Malaysia,” he said.
Seiya commended that for the past 16 years, JFF has been receiving endless support and love from Malaysians, making it one of the most anticipated events every year.
“It could not have been done without our partners, audiences and of course, all of you here, the members of the media,” he said.
He added that JFF now tours to Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching other than Klang Valley and Penang for longer duration to bring the finest selection of Japanese films to the big screen.
The festival will begin on Sept 5 at four venues in Klang Valley at GSC Mid Valley, GSC Pavilion KL, GSC 1Utama and GSC NU Sentral.
After that, it will tour to Penang at GSC Gurney Plaza from Sept 12 to 15, followed by Johor Bahru with GSC Paradigm from Sept 19 to 22.
JFF 2019 will then tour East Malaysia from Oct 3 to 6 at CityOne Megamall, Kuching and GSC Suria Sabah Mall respectively.
Tickets can be purchased from Aug 29 onwards via GSC Box Office, GSC Ticketing Kiosk, GSC e-payment at gsc.com.my or the GSC Mobile App.
All tickets will be sold at RM9.
More information can be found on our website at jfkl.org.my. — DayakDaily
