Taking inspiration from Charlie Chaplin’s famous quote “Life is a desire, not a meaning”, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2017 features an all-encompassing introduction to Japanese cinema through the prism of “desires, hopes and impulses”. Presenting films by established and up-and-coming directors, this year’s programme promises to not only entertain but also provide a vivid insight into what drives human action.

THE MOHICAN COMES HOME

Deadbeat rocker Eikichi (Ryuhei Matsuda) returns to his home on a remote island with news that his girlfriend Yuka (Atsuko Maeda) is pregnant. After a wild welcome party, Eikichi’s old-school father collapses and is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. With a nod to Keisuke Kinoshita’s Carmen Comes Home, this heart-warming and hilarious story follows helpless Eikichi’s attempts to make his bedridden father happy.

Followed by a Q&A with director Shûichi Okita.

Recommended PG

Also screening:

PALE MOON

TSUKIJI WONDERLAND

A SPARKLE OF LIFE

With more to come in March.