Chongqing - The 2023 Japanese Film Festival opened in Chongqing on April 13.

The festival, organized by CGV Cinema (China) in collaboration with Time-in-Portrait Entertainment and DDDream, and the Chongqing station is the second stop after Beijing in March. The festival will run until April 23, and ten classic Japanese films will be screened simultaneously at the CGV cinemas in Chongqing.

At the premiere ceremony, Mari Takada, Japanese Consul General in Chongqing,  said, "As we mark the 45th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, I am thrilled to witness this Japanese film festival taking place in Chongqing. This event holds great significance in fostering cultural exchanges between Japan and China. The ten films showcased in this exhibition are all award-winning works from Japan, Asia, and around the world, featuring renowned Japanese directors and actors."

‍‍Japanese Consul General in Chongqing Mari Takada gave a speech at the premiere. (Photo/Japanese Consulate General in Chongqing)

These films present various perspectives on contemporary Japan, reflecting the true essence of modern Japanese society. "I hope that through this Japanese film festival, more people in Chongqing can experience Japanese films and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese society and culture," said the Consul General.

The ceremony was followed by a screening of After the Storm and a cultural exchange event, where guests enjoyed Japanese sake, admired traditional crafts, and learned about ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

Japanese films, also known as Kaiseki art, showcase a wide range of themes, beautiful and intricate techniques, and the ability to reveal the depth of human nature through subtle details, inspiring a more profound understanding of life.

The exhibition features ten classic Japanese films, namely 100 Yen Love, Little Forest: Summer/Autumn, Little Forest: Winter/Spring, Memories of Matsuko, All Around Us, Chronicle of My Mother, After the Storm, Happy Hour (Part 1), Happy Hour (Part 2), and Happy Hour (Part 3). Each film is a carefully chosen masterpiece with high ratings.