The newest Godzilla film –ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER – Best Visual Effects.

GODZILLA MINUS ONE, an ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER – Best Visual Effects, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Godzilla series, stars KAMIKI Ryunosuke, HAMABE Minami, YAMADA Yuki, AOKI Munetaka, YOSHIOKA Hidetaka, ANDO Sakura and SASAKI Kuranosuke. A guilt-ridden pilot, SHIKIJIMA Koichi, finds new strength and courage to stand up against Godzilla that suddenly appeared, in helping a young woman, OISHI Noriko and the little orphan girl in her care. Hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all, this is a must-see film.

• Director

  YAMAZAKI Takashi

• Cast

  KAMIKI Ryunosuke, HAMABE Minami

• Screening Venue

  Cinema Amir

“No one gets to be more evil than a fiend!”

Sand Land is a mysterious world where demons and humans eke out an existence in a barren desert wasteland. In hopes of replenishing their water supply, Fiend Prince Beelzebub,a demon named Thief, and a human named Sheriff Rao team up and embark on a journey in search of the Legendary Spring.

• Director

  YOKOSHIMA Toshihisa

• Cast

  TAMURA Mutsumi, YAMAJI Kazuhiro, Cho

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

A historic masterpiece of Japanese animation!

July, 1988— World War III breaks loose. Then, in 2019, in megalopolis Tokyo...
As the leader of a group of young robust delinquents, Kaneda spent his nights tearing through the urban wastes, racing his motorbike against rival groups. One night while riding with his gang, his friend Tetsuo suddenly encounters a strange boy― the product of human experimentation— and is injured in the ensuing crash. Shortly thereafter, a military squadron appears to take the boy and Tetsuo away to an army research facility. Determined to free Tetsuo from capture, Kaneda sneaks into the army research lab. However, a regimen of extreme experimental procedures has awakened a new power in his friend, and now he is consumed by madness.　

• Director

  OTOMO Katsuhiro

• Cast

  IWATA Mitsuo, SASAKI Nozomu, KOYAMA Mami

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

A family drama depicting the life of nationally-renowned Japanese author MIYAZAWA Kenji, told from the perspective of his father.

A family drama depicting the short life of one of Japan’s most beloved writers, MIYAZAWA Kenji, who left behind many children’s stories and poems. The film is told from the perspective of Miyazawa’s father who loved his son dearly and continued to believe in his son’s talents. World-renowned actor YAKUSHO Koji plays Miyazawa’s father who is both serious and comical. SUDA Masaki, one of the best young actors in working today, brilliantly expresses Miyazawa’s emotional instability as well as his gentle side that writes stories for his sick younger sister. The performance by the two actors, who together represent contemporary Japanese cinema, is not to be missed.

• Director

  NARUSHIMA Izuru

• Cast

  YAKUSHO Koji, SUDA Masaki, MORI Nana, TOYODA Yudai, SAKAI Maki, TANAKA Min

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

There’s another world outside the smoke of Chimney Town.

The townsfolk of Chimney Town are getting ready for Halloween when all of a sudden, a Garbage Man made of old scrap metal and a broken umbrella turns up unannounced, causing everyone to wonder where on earth he came from. The mechanical figure made of garbage bumps into the lonely boy Lubicchi who renames him “Poupelle” and the two become instant friends, spending more and more time together, before gradually uncovering the secrets of Chimney Town.

• Director

  HIROTA Yusuke

• Cast

  KUBOTA Masataka, ASHIDA Mana, TATEKAWA Shinosuke

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

“Never disappear, protect each other and never cry”

Studio Ponoc’s new animated feature film The Imaginary is a wondrous adventure that portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger, a boy no one can see imagined by Amanda to share her thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger, suddenly alone, arrives at The Town of Imaginaries, where forgotten Imaginaries live and find work, he faces a mysterious threat. Directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose (Spirited Away and other Studio Ghibli films), The Imaginary is an unforgettable adventure of love, loss and the healing power of imagination.

• Director

  MOMOSE Yoshiyuki

• Cast

  TERADA Kokoro, SUZUKI Rio, ANDO Sakura

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

The yakuza and youth join forces in this pitch perfect comedy!

As his school’s choir club leader, 14-year-old Satomi (SAITO Jun) has only one thing on his mind – the upcoming final competition before he graduates middle school. However, his routine is disrupted when he’s approached by Kyoji (AYANO Go), a menacing yakuza with an unusual request: “Let’s go karaoke!” Baffled and cautious, Satomi soon discovers the off-key gangster needs singing lessons to avoid losing his gang’s karaoke contest and a harrowing punishment... a bad tattoo selected by the boss himself! Reluctantly, Satomi agrees to help Kyoji through a series of karaoke sessions, and the duo forge an unexpected friendship. Featuring comedic twists, heartwarming moments and of course, a stellar soundtrack, this adaptation brings WAYAMA Yama's beloved manga series to life!　

• Director

  YAMASHITA Nobuhiro

• Cast

  AYANO Go, SAITO Jun

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

Manic Monday takes on a whole new meaning!

Working over night with colleagues, a head injury from a traffic accident, constant sleepiness on the job and a bird slamming itself into the office window... on top of a pressing deadline at her advertising job, YOSHIKAWA is having the worst week ever. As if her headache wasn’t bad enough, her coworkers ENDO and MURATA are going mad and claim the entire office is stuck in a time loop... but after a few rounds of reliving the same mundane Monday, YOSHIKAWA soon realises they're telling the truth. Now the teammates must work together, enlighten their oblivious colleagues and find a way to end this endless Monday!

• Director

  TAKEBAYASHI Ryo

• Cast

  MARUI Wan, MAKITA Sports, OSAMURA Koki, MIKAWA Yugo, TAKANO Haruki

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria

Delightful story about people pouring their passion into anime production

Hitomi works at an anime production company and finally gets to make her directorial debut. But she struggles endlessly with the demanding producer and gaining the cooperation she needs from the production staff. Moreover, Hitomi's anime occupies the same timeslot as the hotly anticipated new anime from genius director Chiharu. Sparks fly as they head for a showdown!
This exciting drama is a live-action movie, and yet it amply captures the fascination of anime through the unique anime story worlds. Don't miss this duel between popular stars Yoshioka Riho and Nakamura Tomoya!

• Director

  Kohei Yoshino

• Cast

  YOSHIOKA Riho, NAKAMURA Tomoya, EMOTO Tasuku, ONO Machiko

• Screening Venue

  Cinema Amir

A story of a young man who finds his wounded soul restored through the world of Sumi-e, a traditional style of black ink painting.

Sosuke, who is suddenly invited to apprentice for a famous Sumi-e painter, immediately becomes engrossed in the art. At the same time, Sosuke is carrying a deep emotional burden that he has not been able to overcome. He begins to slowly change when he meets the master painter’s granddaughter. A story of a young man’s recovery through the deep allure of Sumi-e ink painting, which renders the natural world and life itself in shades of black and white. Featuring popular young stars, YOHOHAMA Ryusei and KIYOHARA Kaya and directed by KOIZUMI Nori, known for his hit film Chihayafuru.

• Director

  KOIZUMI Nori

• Cast

  YOKOHAMA Ryusei, KIYOHARA Kaya, HOSODA Kanata, KAWAI Yuumi

• Screening Venue

  Jesuit Culture Center in Alexandria