20th Anniversary of the Japan-Georgia Diplomatic Relations

Japanese Film Festival

Date: August 3 (Fri.) 19:00

Venue: Rustaveli Cinema

(5, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi)

* Admission free.

** ** Film Festival continues until August 5.

● Haru's Journey (2010; 134 min)

Director: Masahiro Kobayashi

Original language: Japanese

Subtitles: English, Georgian

Plot:

Tadao is a man who spent his life fishing the Pacific herring. He retired after injuring his leg, and lives alone with his granddaughter Haru after his only daughter killed herself. Haru was working as an elementary school nutritionist while taking care of her grandfather, but she lost her job when the school closed down.

One day, Haru tells Tadao that she wants to move to the city to find a new job and that one of his siblings should look after him. Tadao is angry but has no choice. So, they set off on a journey to visit his estranged siblings.

"Haru's Journey" is made in Miyagi Prefecture directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Although the film was made before the 11.03.2011 disaster, the problems of the elderly depicted in the film give us hints to think over the elderly in the affected area.

● Quartet! (2012; 118 min)

Director: Junichi Mimura

Original language: Japanese

Subtitles: English, Georgian

Plot:

Celebrating 30 years for city of Urayasu.

Kai Nagae hopes to become a professional violinist. He lives in Urayasu with his parents and older sister. The family used to perform classical music together, however nowadays they care less for music and for each other. Wishing to be back together, Kai decides to form a family quartet.

Shot during the Great East Japan Earthquake, over 700 civilian volunteers supported the completion of the film in hopes for a quick recovery.

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Show schedule

Fri., August 3	19:00 Haru's Journey
Sat., August 4	16:00 Quartet! 18:00 Haru's Journey
Sun., August 5	16:00 Quartet! 18:00 Haru's Journey