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The Japan Foundation, Bangkok, Cinemag Magazine, United Artist Theatres (The Emporium) and Songkla Rajabhat Institute proudly present the Japanese Film Festival in January - February 2002. The Japanese Film Festival of this year features a series of samurai films. From late 90s until now, there is a trend of revivals of samurai films ranging from films based on the scripts (co-) written by Kurosawa Akira, one of the best film directors in the world, to films directed by younger promising directors. All of these films have received awards in the international scene or were smash hits in Japan. Apart from such new films, masterpieces of samurai films from 50s-80s will also be on screen in hope that the audience can witness the cool styles of samurai in each film at the time. The rise of the provincial warrior class begins with the Kamakura period (1185-1333) when the new government established a military government. In later periods the term "Samurai" came to donate any and all warriors, but in the Kamakura period it referred to a definite rank in the society. Kamakura society exalted loyalty, honor, and frugality----ideals that were later to inspire the cult of the warrior, or Bushi-do (literally, "the Way of the Warrior"). With the beginning of Japan's modern period in 1868 by the Meiji Restoration, however, deprived of its reason for being, the Samurai class was phased out. Here in Thailand, the word "Samurai" can be seen in several places including in an American franchise, Macdonalds as "Samurai Burger". Although the word itself is famous enough for Thai people, we think, but the lives of samurai at that time in Japan might not be so familiar to Thai people, except those who have seen the samurai TV dramas before. The organizers hope that you can grasp more vivid images of samurai by seeing these films on this rare occasion. There are samurai who do not want to fight against anyone. There are samurai who are blind. There are samurai who have naturally short-tempered characters. There are samurai who are very much interested in playing jazz all these attractive samurai have been loved by many Japanese filmgoers. People in Japan used to see samurai films to understand life styles and morals which people are losing in the process of urbanization and industrialization. Mr. Tsutsui Kiyotaka, a professor of Kyoto University, names such features of samurai films as "the equipment for nostalgia". The decline of samurai films through the 70s-90s might have coincided with the economic oriented boom in Japan. The professor points out that we might find what has been lost in these 60-70 years by seeing samurai films respectfully. It is also curious coincidence that new samurai films are again being made in the early 21 century after the big economic recession in early 90s. Organizers of the festival have made it possible, with great support of kind sponsors, for all screenings to be free of charge. The schedule of each screening is as mentioned in the attached sheet. The schedule might be changed without any advance notice. Please check the latest schedule on the home page of the Japan Foundation at www.jfbkk.or.th Apart from film screenings, there will be a symposium and a talk on the films inviting a famous film critic from Japan as a special guest for the festival. It will be also free of charge. The organizers will announce later as soon as the schedule has been confirmed. For more information, please contact Mr. Yoshioka, Ms. Kayano, Ms. Duangchai or Ms. Ampushinee at Japan Cultural Center, Bangkok at 0-2260-8560~4. Remarks: Japanese names in this press release are presented in the traditional fashion, with the family name first, followed by the given name.
The reservation information for free seats in Bangkok Schedule in Bangkok The Address of the venue in Songkla Schedule in Songkla Symposium & Critic Talk