Toronto Japanese Film Festival at the JCCC
6 Garamond Ct. M3C 1Z5 Toronto, ON, Canada

JCCC VIRTUAL FILM SERIES: JANUARY FEATURE OH LUCY! https://jccc.on.ca/film/oh-lucy-0... Oh Lucy! is an inventive story that's remarkably relatable. What makes the sympathetic Setsuko so wonderfully charming is a combination of Atsuko Hirayanagi's story and direction and Shinobu Terajima's endearing performance. - Kristy Strouse, Film Inquiry Hirayanagi locates both a sharp vein of absurdist comedy and a bitter, melancholy undertow. - Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times Setsuko is a single, emotionally unfulfilled woman, stuck in a drab life in Tokyo. At least until she's convinced by her niece, Mika to enroll in an unorthodox English class that requires her to wear a blonde wig and take on an American alter ego named "Lucy." This awakens something dormant in Setsuko, and she quickly develops romantic feelings for her American instructor, John (Josh Hartnett). When John suddenly disappears and Setsuko learns that he and her niece were secretly dating, she flies across the world to the outskirts of Southern California in search of the runaway couple. Director Atsuko Hirayanagi deftly mixes humour, great performances and poignant character study. In Japanese and English with English Subtitles Starring Shinobu Terajima, Josh Hartnet, Shioli Kutsuna, Haho Minami and Koji Yakusho Friday January 29 @ 9:00am to Sunday January 31 @ 9:00pm Admission: $5.99 https://jccc.on.ca/film/oh-lucy-0

On behalf of everyone here at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and the Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we wish you all the best for a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season! Stay safe, be well and see you in 2021!

A huge thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket to our KEEP THE LANTERN LIT HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER event on Saturday, December 12th. We are pleased to announc...e that we have sold out of all our tickets. The JCCC is extremely grateful for the community's continued to support. Please be on the lookout for announcements about upcoming and future JCCC events! See more

Nobel Prize recipient Setsuko Thurlow delivered her powerful message of peace at our film festival screening Hideo Sekigawa's HIROSHIMA. You'll have another opportunity to hear the incredible Ms. Thurlow's message again this month!

KEEP THE LANTERN LIT HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER JCCC Foundation Presents Join us Saturday, December 12, 2020 as the JCCC presents an entertaining evening of music, film, food and sake in the comfort of your own home. A special gift from Shiseido Canada for the Holiday Season is also included!... Your Holiday package includes: Delivery to your Door by JCCC on December 12: Bento prepared by the Japanese Restaurant Association featuring many of Toronto’s beloved Japanese restaurants. Shiseido package valued at over $140 (option of Men’s Gift or Women’s Gift) Sake - Hakutsuru draft 300ml * Delivery available to GTA. ** Delivery will be made between 1pm-5pm. *** Unfortunately, dietary alternatives are not available. Please note bento may contain nuts, egg, soy, seafood and other common food allergen. **** In the event of inclement weather, JCCC will notify all purchasers by Friday, December 11, 2020, and event will be postponed to Sunday, December 13. Virtual Entertainment Presented Exclusively to Purchasers to begin at 6pm on December 12: Greetings by JCCC President, Gary Kawaguchi and Executive Director, James Heron. 30 minutes of entertainment featuring Kyowa Taiko and a special musical segment by Japanese Canadian folk singer/songwriter Annie Sumi. Online access to 2 feature films from the Toronto Japanese Film Festival for you to enjoy at your convenience: the winner of the TJFF 2020 Audience Choice Award, Renpei Tsukamoto’s heartwarming foodie-friendly comedy-drama BENTO HARASSMENT and Yukinori Makabe’s quietly poignant I AM A MONK. * Films are available for access within 48-hours from 6:30pm on December 12. ** Films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Ticket Purchase Tickets are $150 each and may be purchased online here: https://www.ticketweb.ca//keep-the-lantern-lit-h/10749665, or by phone at 416-771-1340 or 416-441-2345. * Please note $6 Ticketweb fee will be applied to each transaction. ** Please note that all purchases are final. *** Delivery address must be provided at checkout. Please complete a separate transaction for each delivery address. Chance to Win Just Add Shoyu Cookbook All purchasers are automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win a copy of the Just Add Shoyu Cookbook. Names of winners will be announced after December 12.

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya wrapped up with a screening of director Isshin Inudo's THE BUCKET LIST. Thank you for being there Inudo-san and thanks to everyone who joined in the Tokyo component of the festival!

We’re excited to partner with @reelasian for LABYRINTH OF CINEMA by the late Nobuhiko Obayashi for #reelasian24, online across Canada, Nov 12-19. In the port town of Onomichi, Japan, the only movie theatre is bidding goodbye to its local audiences. The owners organize a nightlong screening devoted to historical Japanese war films. Noriko, a teenager who regularly helps in the theatre along with film buff Mario, film-history nerd Hosuke, and aspiring yakuza Shigeru are mystica...lly projected into the cinema screen in sequences that represent the second Sino-Japanese War, Boshin War and Hiroshima bombing. The four embark on an immersive, surreal and vicious cycle of damnation and salvation in the face of war's savagery. Join us for #reelasian24 online, across Canada for the first time, from Nov 12 19. Visit reelasian.com to register for your FREE tickets. Apply our promo code FourEggNest to receive a 15% discount for all other screenings.

ONE CUT OF THE DEAD [!] and director Shinichiro Ueda were part of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya this weekend! Hilarity ensued :)

If you’re looking for a movie to enjoy with the family this weekend, check out the two animated films featured on the TJFF lineup! Detective Conan: Fist of Blue Sapphire The 23rd instalment of the Case Closed animated film series tells the story of a gem lost at sea when a pirate ship sunk off the coasts of Singapore. A local millionaire plans to retrieve the gem, but once it’s exhibited a murder occurs. Sumikkogurashi: Good to be in the Corner Sumikko Gurashi are th...e popular San-X characters who prefer to live quiet and solitary lives in the corner. These unique characters stumble upon an old, mysterious, flying picture book that takes them on magical adventures. Tickets available in the following link: https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ 1022 https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/

Director Naofumi Higuchi invites you to enjoy the North American premiere of his film THE MASTER OF FUNERALS at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLGcvYYB8m4

We are pleased to announce director Renpei Tsukamoto’s BENTO HARASSMENT is the winner of the Kobayashi Audience Choices Award. A favourite with foodies and families it moved audiences to laughter and tears. Congratulations.

Director, Producer, Writer, Editor Alice Il Shin (TJFF Jury 2019) and Co-producer Eiko Brown (TJFF Jury 2020) have a superb new film coming to both the Reelworld Film Festival and Forest City Film Festival. It is called SIGNAL FIRE and here is the trailer. https://vimeo.com/357966488

Don’t forget to complete your KOBAYASHI AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD BALLOT and let us know what was the festival favourite! They can be accessed through either the SHIFT72 site or the FILM LINE-UP page of the JCCC site (marked Rate the Film). https://jccc.on.ca//toronto-japanese-film-festiv/film-line

TJFF is supported by many wonderful sponsors! Today we’d like to give a big thank-you to our sponsor Subaru Canada. Subaru Canada is an automobile manufacturer and a division of Subaru Corporation which is based in Japan. Thank you for your support this year! #SubaruCanada https://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282 ... 1953360SUBARU40SUBARUSUBARU https://www.subaru.co.jp/

We are pleased to announce the winner and runners-up of our 2020 GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST FILM. # 1 VOICES IN THE WIND #2 THE JOURNALIST #3 ONE NIGHT The festival closes on October 22 so there is still time to catch up with these and the other 19 titles in our 2020 edition at https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/... We would like to thank jurors Jason Anderson, Eiko K Brown, Goro Koyama, Steve Morris and Takumi Saitoh for lending us their time, experience and expertise in making these selections.

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival has been nominated for NOW's BEST VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL. We are up against some big competition but are very proud to be considered. https://nowtoronto.com/rc#/gallery?group=358979

A message from the director of The 47 Ronin In Debt. Thank you, Director Nakamura! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6SMNl-ZlGk&t=9s

There’s 1 week left of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival! Get your tickets using the link below: https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ Let us know which films you’ve watched or plan on watching in the comments ... 1 https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/

One Night explores complex issues and emotions, and in doing so manages with grace to refrain from easy conclusions. It is a multi-faced moral conundrum, on both a personal and a social level. Shiraishi’s effort in the classic family drama territory with his multilayered One Night affirms once again the director’s versatility and consistency. https://asianmoviepulse.com//film-review-one-night-2019-b/

"Hit Me One More Time is intelligent, amusing and occasionally hilarious; one could not ask for much more from a comedy."

If you’re in the mood for a laugh, check out some of the hilarious comedies featured at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival! Tickets available in the link below until October 22, 2020. https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ Samurai Shifters - A lavish and hilarious period comedy that pokes gentle fun at the famous Japanese work ethic. Hit Me Anyone One More Time A hilarious and timely political farce directed by Master of Comedy, Koki Mitani. ... Tora-San, Wish You Were Here - Japan’s most beloved comedy film series celebrates its 50th anniversary with its 50th film. Featuring lovingly blending nostalgic scenes from the original series with new footage featuring original cast members. Bento Harassment - A film about the love between a mother and daughter told with much laughter and many tears. Project Dreams How to Build Mazinger Z’s Hangar A feelgood comedy that was a box-office smash and blends office intrigue, romance and sci-fi fantasy, and is based on a true story! The 47 Ronin in Debt - Director Yoshihiro Nakamura reveals the financial realities of the loyal samurai story in a hilarious all-star comedy! For more details about these films, and the many others on our lineup, click the link below! https://jccc.on.ca//toronto-japanese-film-festiv/film-line 1022 https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ 50 2020 https://jccc.on.ca//toronto-japanese-film-festiv/film-line

Greetings from ONE NIGHT director Kazuya Shiraishi. Don't miss this powerful film playing until October 22 at: https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival officially kicks off today! Tickets can be purchased throughout the entire festival until October 22 using the following link: https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ Let us know which film you're most excited to watch in the comments! 2020... 1022 https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/

We hope everyone is able to relax and spend time with their loved ones this Thanksgiving long weekend. If you’re looking to unwind with a movie, consider watching one of the many wonderful films from the Toronto Japanese Film Festival! Tickets are available in the link below: https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ 3 https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/... 3Have a wonderful long weekend! See more

Writer/Producer Hiroyuki Ono introduces his film THE MASTER OF FUNERALS enjoying its North American premiere at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival. https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival is also in Tokyo to present 10 nights of programming at the magnificent Tokyo Midtown Hibiya cultural and commercial complex. It is our second year presenting the TORONTO JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL IN HIBIYA https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/hibiya-cinema-festi// and each screening is preceded by a video introduction to the JCCC and the history of the Japanese Canadians. This year’s festival, running from Oct 16 -30, will be visited by 8 directors taking the stage to introduce their films.

10322... Toronto Japanese Film Festival https://jccc.on.ca/films/tjff FUZJKO: A PIANIST OF SILENCE AND SOLITUDE Director Soichiro Komatsu Starring Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming Premiere Canadian Premiere Saturday, October 3, 2020 @ 12:00am

"The creativity he (Takumi Saitoh) shows in this effort is probably the best trait of the narrative in a film that works on a number of levels and is intensely rich contextually, particularly for those who are willing to see beyond its experimental nature."

Japan’s most beloved comedy film series celebrates its 50th anniversary with its 50th film. At the 7th annual memorial service for his wife, novelist and father Mitsuo struggles with the next steps in his life. Conversation turns to lively reminiscences of the past, especially about their incorrigible uncle, Tora-san and his many unrequited loves (as documented in the first 49 films). Two women enter Mitsuo’s life: one a thoughtful coworker, the other his long-lost first love Izumi. Can Tora-san’s experiences guide Mitsuo to the right decision? Lovingly blending nostalgic scenes for the original series with new footage featuring original cast members master director Yamada creates a moving and wistful tale of family, love and memory. https://asianmoviepulse.com//film-review-tora-san-wish-yo/

Our friends at Asian Movie Pulse have watch BENTO HARASSMENT. Here's what they thought.

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival is back in Tokyo for its second year starting October 16 as part of the HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL at the magnificent HIBIYA MIDTOWN TOKYO. Here's the line-up: https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/hibiya-cinema-festival/

JCCC COVID-19 UPDATE as at October 5, 2020 In the October Newsletter we announced our plan for a selective reopening of the JCCC in mid-October. However, ...with the rise in COVID cases and tightening of restrictions over the past week we feel the most responsible action is to put the reopening on pause until circumstances begin again to improve. We feel we cannot put our enthusiasm to welcome you back ahead of the health and safety of the community and our many friends. When the time is right, the JCCC is ready. We have made modifications to our facility to enhance ventilation and minimize contact. We will have a broad spectrum of cultural offerings ready to welcome you back: classes, seminars, film screenings and heritage events. At the same time we continue to expand our online presence through online classes, heritage content and the Virtual Toronto Japanese Film Festival. We are most excited about the completion of the new permanent exhibition in the Moriyama Nikkei Heritage Centre. With the generous support of Raymond Moriyama, our new exhibit, titled MARU: IMMIGRATION STORIES, examines the experiences of the Nikkei diaspora in the Americas from the late 1800s to today, with future plans to explore more stories internationally. In partnership with Nikkei organizations across the North America, South America, and Japan, the exhibition will not only be diverse in its content, it also invites visitors to be individually engaged through their own experiences. The exhibit opens in late November and we look forward to offering tours as one of our first reopening activities. Please keep an eye on our social media, our monthly online newsletters https://jccc.on.ca/about/newsletter/months-newsletter , our website and your in-box for reopening announcements. Stay well, be safe and see you very soon. JCCC COVID-19 NOTICE as at October 5, 2020 1010COVID-19 JCCC MARU: IMMIGRATION STORIES180011 SNShttps://jccc.on.ca/about/newsletter/months-newsletter

I continue to be inspired by how film festivals (not just TIFF) have pivoted to digital. Original-Cin is a friend of Inside Out, and has contributed jurors to t...he Toronto Japanese Film Festival. It's worth the money to enjoy these festivals in the comfort of your home. https://www.original-cin.ca//inside-out-and-toronto-japane See more

Original-Cin's Liam Lacey identifies some of the festival highlights. https://www.original-cin.ca//inside-out-and-toronto-japane

Erika Yoshioka is a reporter for the Toto Newspaper. Obtaining an anonymous fax containing highly confidential information related to the building plan for a new university, she decides to investigate. Meanwhile, Takumi Sugihara is a bureaucrat in the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office whose job is to control the media and prevent unfavorable coverage of the government. In a shocking turn of event his esteemed former superior Kanzaki commits suicide. Plagued with doubts... over Kanzaki's death, Sugiyama agrees to work with Yoshioka to uncover the scandal that may derail their careers. Inspired by the controversial non-fiction book by Tokyo Newspaper journalist Mochizuki Isoko and starring two Japanese Acadamy Award winning actors is a story of conspiracy, integrity and investigation: Click the links below to learn more about this film and the many others on our lineup this year. The Journalist https://jccc.on.ca/film/journalist Get Tickets Now: http://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ The screening of this movie is thanks to our consecutive sponsor Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. Reel Asian is a not-for-profit charitable cultural organization that advocates for Asian representation through media arts and is Canada’s largest film festival. W 2 https://jccc.on.ca/ja/film/journalist : https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ 24

Hit Me Anyone One More Time is a political comedy directed by Koki Mitani, and stars Kiichi Nakai, Dean Fujioka, Yuriko Ishida, Koichi Sato, Eiko Koike, and Yo Yoshida. Keisuke wakes up in a hospital bed with a lump on his head, unable to remember who he is. Fleeing the ward, he spots himself on a TV and realizes he is the prime minister of Japan, but he is not very popular. His memory loss provides him with a new perspective, and he tries to change the country for the better.... Click the links below to get your tickets today! https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ A big thank you to our screening partner, The Japan Society. The Japan Society is a national organization that aims strengthen business, educational and cultural exchanges between Canada and Japan. Thank you for your support! https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ The Japan Society1980230The Japan Society The Japan Society http://www.japansocietycanada.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rouyCuTyCko&feature=youtu.be

At the End of the Matinee is a romance based on Keiichiro Hirano’s best-selling novel, directed by Hiroshi Nishitani and staring Masaharu Fukuyama, Yuriko Ishida, Yusuke Iseya, Yuki Sakurai, Haruka Kinami, Jun Fubuki, Yuka Itaya and Ikko Furuya. This story is about Satoshi Makino, a brilliant classical guitarist who performs at the world’s top concert theatres. While Satoshi is on tour, he meets Yoko, a journalist from Paris and their attraction is immediate and intense. The ...only problem is Yoko has a fiancé. Click the links below to learn more about this film and the many others on our lineup this year. After The Matinee: https://jccc.on.ca/film/end-matinee Get Tickets Now: http://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ Thank you to our screening sponsor Yamaha Canada. YAMAHA is the world's largest manufacturer of musical instruments from Japan. Thank you for your support this year! https://ca.yamaha.com/en/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCE2owGeIdw&feature=youtu.be

The Travelling Cat Chronicles is adapted from Hiro Arikawa’s best-selling 2012 novel. Satoru is forced by circumstance to get rid of his cat Nana and embarks on the "final journey" to find a new owner for Nana. Their travels are full in the incident and human interaction as Satoru reconnects with a childhood friend and his first love. Gradually his unknown past and secret are revealed. This heart-warming and heartbreaking movie is directed by Koichiro Miki and starring Sota ...Fukushi, Yuko Takeuchi, Alice Hirose and the cat Nana was played by Mitsuki Takahata. TJFF 2020 tickets are available in the link below! https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ https://torontojff.jccc.on.ca/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1th6I7u__lk

Life Vancouver wrote about TJFF! Thank you Life Vancouver!