The Japanese Film Festival is back today with a showcase of 11 top-quality films being screened at SF World Cinema over the next nine days before travelling around the country with stops in Chiang Mai in the north, Phuket in the south, and for the first time, in Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast.

All 11 films have been carefully selected to reflect Japanese art and culture as well as the way of life in an attempt to strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Opening the festival tonight is “Destiny: Kamakura Story”, a fantasy film from renowned director Takashi Yamazaki, whose earlier works include award-winners “Always: Sunset on Third Street” and “Stand by Me Doraemon”. “Destiny: Kamakura Story” is an adaptation of the popular Japanese manga about a writer Masakazu Isshiki (Masato Sakai) who, along with his much younger wife Akiko (Mitsuki Takahata), solves mysterious cases taking place in Kamakura by interacting with demons, spirits, gods and aliens.

Tomorrow fans have a chance to meet actor Taishi Nakagawa who stars in the film “ReLife”. The film tells the story of Arata Kaizaki (Nakagawa), a 27-year-old unemployed man who decides to take part in a research programme called “ReLife” under which he has to take a medication that makes him look 10 years younger. Deciding to attend high school for a year, he falls in love with fellow student Chizuru Hishiro (Yuna Taira). But once the year-long experiment expires, he will be erased from her memory.

Another highlight of the festival is “Memoirs of a Murderer,” the Japanese remake of the Korean film “Confession of Murder” by Jung Byung-gil. It revolves around the shocking murder of five individuals by a presumed serial killer. The statute of limitations expires without the killer being apprehended only for him to resurface 22 years later at a press conference where he announces the launch of a memoir about the murders he committed. And that’s just the beginning of his plan. Tatsuya Fujiwara of “Death Note” and “Battle Royale” fame plays the murderer.

The enchanting animation “Miss Hokusai” by Keiichi Hara is about the daughter of Katsushika Hokusai, a globally recognised Japanese artist. However, very few are aware of his daughter, and how she contributed to her father’s art. This is the story of O-Ei, Master Hokusai’s daughter – a lively portrayal of a free-spirited, utterly outspoken and highly talented woman.

Action drama “Mumon” portrays Mumon (Satoshi Ono), a lazy but talented ninja from Iga province who causes the big trouble for the ninja corps when he kills a ninja from a different family for a reward.

Heart-warming drama, “Close-Knit” centres on the life of Rinko, a transgender woman with a heart of gold. Her boyfriend Makio was captivated by her heart and accepts her for who she is. And a lonely girl named Tomo suddenly appears in their life.

Other films include “Honnouji Hotel,” “ Reflections,” “Survival Family,” “The Long Excuse,”and “Tora-san of Goto.”

Cinematic cheer

– The Japanese Film Festival moves to Chiang Mai from February 23-25 with Bt80 tickets, then on to SFX Cinema Central Plaza Nakhon Ratchasima from March 2-4. It wraps at SFX Central Festival. Phuket during March 9-11.

– Admission for both the Nakhon Ratchasima and Phuket showings is free. Tickets will be available at the information desk of “The Japanese Film Festival 2018” from 5pm on March 2 in Nakhon Ratchasima and March 9 in Phuket . – Tickets on weekends will be available from 1pm.

– Find out more at SF Call Center (02) 268 8888 or visit http://www.SFCinemaCity.com and Facebook.com/Welovesf.