NHK World-Japan, the international service of Japan’s sole public media organisation, NHK, will participate in Japanese film festival Nippon Connection 2021 with two exclusive screenings.
The 21st edition of the German event featuring Japanese movies, animes, documentaries, concerts, performances, workshops and interviews will take place from June 1 to 6 as an online event.
The first screening, Fukushima Monologue, tells the story of a man who chose to stay behind in the no-go zone near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. Following the accident in March 2011, everyone within a 20km area was ordered to evacuate.
Matsumura Naoto (see image) alone stayed. For 10 years, he has taken care of animals abandoned by those who left. Only a few people have since returned, but the reconstruction is in full swing. Matsumura’s home is changing beyond recognition. The 49-minute documentary gives us a chance to reflect on resilience and what is truly important.
The second screening, Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san – Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House, invites viewers to get to know Kiyo and Sumire who came to Kyoto, dreaming of becoming maikos. But after an unexpected turn of events, Kiyo starts working as the live-in cook at the Maiko House.
Their story unfolds in Kagai, the Geiko and maiko district in Kyoto, alongside their housemate maikos. Kiyo nourishes them daily with her homecooked meals, and Sumire strives towards her promising future as the once-in-a-century maiko. The anime series tells the touching tale of two childhood friends lifting each other up as they grow together. The screening will cover the first three chapters (25 minutes in total).
The Nippon Connection Film Festival, founded in 2000, is the biggest platform for Japanese cinema worldwide. More details about this year’s event, the programme and participants are available at www.nipponconnection.com.