| December 3, 2021 | ||
| 9:30 pm |
At The Horse Hospital SOLD OUT
ONLINE TICKETS STILL AVAIABLE: book tickets or buy a pass
Screening as part of Japan 2021: Over 100 years of Japanese Cinema, a UK-wide film season supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network.
Hiding behind the monolith that is Anime is a special world where independent Japanese animation lives. In the last 20 years independent animation has thrived in many parts of the world. Technological developments have democratised animation, opening the door for faster and more affordable production methods. The Internet has freed some animators from producers and distributors. Artists can now put their films on Vimeo or YouTube, showcase their work on their own websites and put out self-produced DVDs. These innovations have let animators eliminate the middle person and given them direct contact with their audience.
Responding to the new-found interest in artistic animation, a number of animation schools in Japan have opened and blossomed in the 21st century, such as the Tama Arts University and the Tokyo University of the Arts. The result has been a dramatic increase in independent animation production. Today, independent animation in Japan has never been so alive and active, an example being the production and distribution company New Deer run by Nobuaki Doi, who have several productions in the works and who actively support young Japanese indie animators to take their work to the world.
This screening shows some of the best of these films made over the last decade by animators with unique visions who swim against the tide and are fiercely independent.
Find out about our other BFI Japan 2021 programmes: Atsushi Wada – A Jolt to the Subconscious and Junk Head
The Dawn of Ape – Mirai Mizue, Japan
The world’s first animation made to be watched by chimpanzees. For this screening for the first time ever, humans are allowed to watch as well.
2019 4 mins
Hunter – Ryoji Yamada, Japan
A haunted hunter is searching for something that he may never find. A twisted jazz soundtrack sets the scene for this neo-noir mystery.
2017 9 mins
Starting Over – Mika Seike, Japan
You fall down every time before you reach your goal. At each fall, the glass you held shatters, and everything starts all over again. But there are things you can only discover through repetition.
2016 8 mins
Open One’s Mouth – Akane Murata, Japan
Sensuous and transporting, material pigments, mud pigments and metallic foil animate the textures and temperaments of the every day and elsewhere.
2021 4 mins
Rabbits Blood – Sarina Nihei, Japan/UK
Two rival groups battle for survival underground – sinister cloaked men and neutralist rabbits.
2017 5 mins
A Bite of Bone – Honami Yano, Japan
A little girl reflects on her last summer with her father at his funeral.
2021 10 mins
Airy Me – Yuko Kuno, Japan
A half-remembered dream, morphing between the mundane and fantastic with a child-like innocence and a peculiar, unarticulated sadness.
2013 6 mins
Jungle Taxi – Hakhyun Kim, Japan
On a sticky night in the jungle a taxi spirits a mysterious passenger to their destination.
2016 8 mins
Down Escalation – Shunsaku Hayashi, Japan
Falling down, deep into the layers of itself, until the form is no more.
2018 7 mins
Futon – Yoriko Mizushiri, Japan
A woman wrapped in a futon begins to dream and think about the future. Everything melts pleasantly together.
2012 7 mins
Feed – Eri Okazaki, Japan
Two large, gentle beings plant trees; a goat is fed; meatballs are cooked – slow, mysterious, beautiful.
2016 7 mins
Summers Puke is Winter’s Delight – Sawako Kabuki, Japan
Painful events become memories over time. Still we vomit and eat again.
2016 3 mins
Our Funding Partners
With Special Thanks to the Arts Council England
Event supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery.
