Penguin Highway
10 year old Aoyama (Kana Kita) is serious beyond his years. An enthusiastic scientist, he spends his childhood days absorbed in notebooks full of observations and theories, while dodging his bullies’ comments with sharp wit.
All the while he counts down the days until adulthood (just under four thousand to be more exact) when he’ll finally be able to marry his crush – a young dental hygienist referred to only as Onee-san, or ‘Miss’ (Yu Aoi). Aoyama’s world is abruptly changed when his sleepy little town experiences a puzzling influx of a colony of penguins – despite it being the middle of summer and nowhere close to the sea! Armed with his inquisitive mind, Aoyama enlists his friends in a mission to investigate this phenomenon, which serendipitously seems connected to the charming ‘Miss’.
This debut anime feature from Hiroyasu Ishida is a highly imaginative rendition of Tomihiko Morimi’s 2010 novel of the same title which has been recognised with a Nihon Science Fiction Taisho Award. Mysterious tale bound to capture the hearts of young and old!
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2019 features thoughtfully selected titles from Japan, all focusing on the theme of ‘Love’ and never before screened in the UK.
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Her Love Boils Bathwater
Futaba (Rie Miyazawa) is a single mother struggling to make ends meet after her husband suddenly left her and the family’s bathhouse business went under. While coming to terms with her situation, she is dealt another blow when she is diagnosed with cancer; it’s terminal.
Of Love & Law
We are delighted to welcome director Hikaru Toda to QFT for this screening.
Hikaru Toda’s involving documentary reveals the hidden side of Japanese society, highlighting the diverse human-rights work done by the country’s first LGBT law firm.