Festival launches with Malaysian Yasu Tanaka film, Nota + Feature film lineup
Festival launches with Malaysian Yasu Tanaka film, Nota
A special red carpet evening will serve as the festival’s opener on November 10 where a screening of Malaysian award-winning film, Nota will kick-start the festival with some local cinematic flair. Directed by Yasu Tanaka who will be giving an introductory speech, Nota follows a couple trying to reignite their bond of love and marriage until Erin (starring Maya Karin) finds her husband’s suicide note. At the red carpet event, both director and well-known actress, Maya Karin will graze the stage alongside other filmmakers and stars attending the festival.
Setting the stage for Nusantara films
Putting a spotlight on ASEAN films, there are 5 films in the Nusantara block this year including Nota:
Jalanan - Indonesia, directed by Daniel Ziv. Jalanan is Indonesia’s first feature-length documentary which follows 3 buskers who eke out a living on the streets of Jakarta in a debut film shot over 5 years. Attending the festival are two of the lead singers.
My Magic - Singapore, directed by Eric Khoo. This first Cannes-nominated Singapore film is about a magician who takes on a job to provide for his son, only to be pressured into doing dangerous acts. Attending the festival is the lead star.
Yasmine - Brunei, directed by Siti Kamaludin. Yasmine brings the story of a girl who becomes a silat fighter in order to win back her boyfriend’s affections. A debut film by Brunei’s first female director. Attending the festival are the director and the lead star.
Nuwebe - Philippines. Directed by Joseph Laban. Inspired by an actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history at age 9, the character is believed to be impregnated by the supernatural but the real story proves to be more complicated. Attending the festival is the director.
South Asian films spice up the festival
The JB Film Festival goes beyond Nusantara borders with 4 international films from South Asian nations.
Akash Koto Dure (The Distant Sky) - Bangladesh, directed by Samia Zaman. Orphan Bichchu has been trained in a criminal gang but was saved by an elderly gentleman. Is it too late for change, has he already become a hard-hearted criminal? Attending the festival are the lead star and the associate producer.
Adomya…And Life Goes On) - India, directed by Bobby Sarma Baruah. A debut film shot in Assam, about a single mother who has to contend with the stigma of being afflicted by AIDS. Attending the festival are the film director & lead star
Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka (With You, Without You) - Sri Lanka, directed by Prasanna Vithanage. The film is set in post-war Sri Lanka and follows a couple from two ends of the bloody civil war as they discover love through conflict.
Dukhtar (Daughter) - Pakistan, directed by Afia Nathaniel. This feature film follows a dramatic mountain dash of a mother with her daughter who is to be a child bride. A first feature by a computer-scientist-turned-filmmaker who teaches screenwriting in the USA.
Narratives from Japan and China add an oriental flair
Profound and poignant stories of the human-to-human connection are embodied in these 2 films from Japan and China.
Voices of A Distant Star - Japan, directed by Makato Shinkai. Set in 2047, Mikako is recruited to fight a war against the Tarsan aliens and this leaves her and best friend, Noboru to communicate via email as Mikako drifts in space.
A Mongolian Tale - China, directed by Xie Fei who is also the Deputy Director of the Beijing Film Academy. Shot on the Mongolian steppes, it is a beautiful but sad tale of 2 childhood sweethearts. Attending the festival & to talk about the film are its cinematographer & sound designer.
A little stroll through European cinema
In search of the meaning of life, these films embody the essence of ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” through its incredible characters.
Stopped On Track - Germany, directed by Andreas Dressen. This film follows a family devastated by the news that the father has terminal cancer. Dialogue is improvised after extensive research among people who have lost loved ones after a serious illness. International awards for Best Film, Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Best Direction, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor & Best Production.
The 400 Blows - France, directed by Francois Truffaut. One of the defining films of the French New Wave, This Cannes award-winning film follows a misunderstood adolescent in Paris who is thought by everyone around him to be a troublemaker. International awards for Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Film, Best European Film & an Oscar Nomination for Best Writing.
Loreak (Flowers) - Spain, directed by Jon Garano & Jose Mari Goenaga. This film is of a married woman who receives flowers once a week. When the anonymous sender has a car accident, things become even more complicated. International awards for Best Supporting Actress, Best Spanish Film & a Special Mention.
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