News & Reports

Torque – Shibuya Stream

Saturday 06/10

SSFF & Asia 2023, the 25^th Edition of the festival began at “Torque, Spice & Herb, Table & Court” located in the Shibuya Stream dining complex. It’s always a treat to screen here. It’s a cycling themed dining bar with a futsal court adjacent to it where we hold outdoor screenings, weather permitting.

Day 2 began with inclement weather in Shibuya but it had let up enough that we could hold the screening outside on the futsal court thought it did get a bit chilly into the night. We were proud to once again screen the U-25 programs 1 & 2. These programs feature short films made by directors under age 25 & within a 5-minute time restriction. It’s always a treat to screen these highly imaginative & remarkably well-made shorts.

For the Q&A, director Eisuke Ishizuka came out to talk about his animated short “Dancing with…” the story of 2 friends who lose their way & connection is often told but Eisuke’s animation style of telling the story in a vertical storyboard from gave the film artistically interesting & gave the story an emotional connection to the viewer.

Also attending the Q&A was director AONE for her highly entertaining short (under 2minutes!) sci-fi, cutey-pop film about a young girl who communicates an alien through the blades of her fan! AONE is a multi-talented fashion photog & a dancer since her childhood. Definitely a talented creator to look out for in the future.

Director Takafumi Yamazaki grought along his 2 main cast actors – Rei Saito & Atsunori Goda for his very “adult” film “Remind me of you” about 2 friends who are remembering a 3^rd friend from their school days. Also attending was Takuya Shimada’s stunning documentary short about autistic clay artist Shinichi Sawada whose brilliant, genius clay figures have been selected at the Venice Biennale! But also amazing was Masaharu iketani who at age 90 who gave Shinichi the environment & space for to work & create his masterpieces. All in under 5 minutes!!     

These 2 days of programs have been fun & very interesting. No matter your age or genre, your creativity is welcome here. Last day of screening here before we move on to Futako Tamagawa Rise next week.   

Come out to see the best short films from around the world!

DJ John