SAND LAND

“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

  Japan Information & Culture Centre, Embassy of Japan in Kenya

AKIRA

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

  Japan Information & Culture Centre, Embassy of Japan in Kenya

カラオケ行こ！

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

  Japan Information & Culture Centre, Embassy of Japan in Kenya

銀河鉄道の父

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

  Japan Information & Culture Centre, Embassy of Japan in Kenya

映画えんとつ町のプペル

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

  Japan Information & Culture Centre, Embassy of Japan in Kenya

屋根裏のラジャー

“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

  Japan Information & Culture Centre, Embassy of Japan in Kenya