New York Japan CineFest: Program 2

Highlighting some of the most exciting new voices in cinema, New York Japan CineFest presents two nights of short films by emerging Japanese and Japanese-American filmmakers. 

Click here to check out Program 1 on Thursday, June 6, 2018.

Program 2: 

Dolphin Dreams
Dir. Chisa Hidaka and Benjamin Harley. 2017. USA. 12 mins.

Dolphin Dreams introduces wild dolphins as we have never met them before. The gorgeous underwater cinematography of Howard Hall brings the heartwarming relationship between a unique pod of wild Atlantic spotted dolphins and two New York City dancers to life, as they collaborate to create underwater dances and discover a profound mutual understanding. This groundbreaking experimental documentary builds on the communicative power of dance to give audiences the visceral experience of participating in an unprecedented interspecies dialog.

Siren
Dir. Nobuyuki Miyake. 2017. Japan. 17 mins.

Amid the sudden wailing of sirens, Arab immigrant Abbas pushes into the room of elderly Japanese man Toyoshige and carries him piggyback out to safety. As they go down the stairs, the film reveals what each of their days looked like up until this moment, including prejudices and misunderstandings they have experienced or perpetrated.

A Girl Untouchable
Dir. Hidetaka Komukai. 2016. Japan. 16 mins.

In preparation for their college entrance exams, Shun and Tatsuya look for a place where they can concentrate on their studies. They arrive at a peaceful mountain inn, but when Shun falls in love with Nagi — a shrine maiden who works at the inn — his concentration is broken.

Wind Chime 
Dir. Mayu Ryokucha. 2017. Japan. 18 mins.

Yoko and Michiko are sisters, living together in an apartment. One afternoon, struggling actress Yoko gets help from Michiko in reading over a script. But as they practice, tensions rise and Yoko suggests an improvisation, leaving the two sisters lost between reality and acting.

All Alone in Kamiyama 
Dir. Mile Nagaoka. 2017. Japan. 30 mins.

Young urban creatives are drawn to Japan's rural town of Kamiyama, known for its unspoiled natural beauty and welcoming locals, but not everyone is wrapped up in this rural renaissance. This documentary records six years in the lonely life of the local hairdresser, the elderly Satchan.

Kyo-netsu
Dir. Yuji Mitsuhashi. 2017. Japan. 17 mins.

A struggling writer and his wife have unaffectionate sex every night. Though he toils over his writing every night, his novel is rejected by his publisher. One day, out of frustration, he strangles and kills his wife — only to discover she is alive and carrying on as usual the next morning. After this strange event, his fortunes begin to turn...

Co-presented with Mar Creation