Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) in Bern!
The 160th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Switzerland the Japanese Embassy in Switzerland and Asia’s biggest international short film festival will screen 11 short films depicting the appeal of Tokyo and Japan for 3 nights
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) proudly announces the short film screening in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Switzerland to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland.
A total of 11 short films will be screened for three consecutive nights from February 28th (Wed) to March 1st (Fri) at the Information and Cultural Center of the Japanese Embassy in Bern. (Starting at 18:00 on each day, 3-4 films will be screened and Q&A with the directors will also be held, free of charge)
https://eu.jotform.com/form/240293456018354
The screenings will include short films set in Tokyo, produced by SSFF & ASIA together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as well as ones from around Japan as Shizuoka, Okinawa, and Iwate prefectures, produced as part of Japan Cultural Expo Project Presented and Co-presented by Japan Arts Council and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. Some films are based on Japanese folk tales, and there are also ones directed by Swiss directors with Japanese production team. In addition a director residing in Switzerland will be participating in a Q&A at the venue, as well as directors from Japan and Australia will be connected online with local screening attendees.
The appeal of short films is that they can convey stories, messages, social events, and culture in a cinematic way in a short amount of time. SSFF & ASIA president Tetsuya Bessho, who wants to energize film festivals as a place to support filmmakers who create such great films stated, “I hope that we can deliver short films from our film festival to the world and to as many people as possible. Through the many stories, I think you will experience Japan for the first time and learn about Japanese culture and values anew.”
Mr. Kawahara, Director of Japan Information and Cultural Center of the Embassy of Japan in Switzerland, also said, “In this year, which marks the 160th anniversary of the beginning of exchanges between Japan and Switzerland, we have the opportunity to convey information about Japan through the works of young and talented filmmakers. Because it’s a short film, I think people will be able to see and enjoy a lot of different aspects of Japan.”
＜Screening Titles: Program A＞
Wednesday, February 28th 6:00pm～
“The way back home” 24:52 / 2023 / Japan / Drama
FY 2022 Japan Cultural Expo Project Presented and Co-presented by Japan Arts Council and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Writter / Director / Editor: Karin Miyagi
Cast: Rintaro Mizusawa, Takara Sakumoto, Teruhiro Tanaka, Sora Shiota, Kyanhitomi, Yoshi Sako and Masato Hagiwara
Original Story: “The Two of Us, in a Town with a View of the Sea” by Kento Norikane
Synopsis: Childhood friends Hinata and Hayato are training hard in kendo for their final high school inter-high school competition.One day, Hinata is scouted by an entertainment agency. This causes a rift in their relationship.The film depicts these two young boys who grow up to be adults while still carrying the pain & doubts from their youth.
“Shakespeare in Tokyo” 20:34 / 2018 /Japan / Drama
Tokyo Cine-magic Project Special Production
Director：Genevieve Clay-Smith Online Q&A
Cast: Gerald O’Dwyer, Shioli Kutsuna, JJ Sony Chiba,
Genevieve Clay-Smith & Partick Bramall
Synopsis：20 minutes in length, “Shakespeare in Tokyo” follows Ben, an artist with Down Syndrome who seeks to help people see all the beauty of Tokyo in a unique way. Ben comes along on his brother’s business trip to Tokyo. Giving up on his busy brother, he starts exploring Tokyo by himself. With his knowledge of Shakespeare, improvisational illustration skills and talented humor, he catches people’s hearts.
“This is Tokyo” 16:15 / Japan /2020 / Drama
Tokyo Cinema Sports Project Special Production
Director：Ben Suzuki
Cast：Win Morisaki, Jeanette Aw, Hiroyuki Watanabe
Synopsis：Kento, who has been selected as a team member in finalizing partnerships with a Singaporean company, is entrusted with a task of attending President Kwang who has come to Tokyo, but is puzzled by her cold attitude. As they go sightseeing in Tokyo together, changes in their hearts are seen a bit by bit…
“Trumpet” 17:00 / Switzerland / 2020 / Comedy
SSFF & ASIA 2021 Audience Award Winner
Director：Kevin Haefelin Online Q&A
Cast：Mao Sone
Synopsis：A Japanese trumpet player on a cultural pilgrimage to discover New York City jazz experiences a hell of a night after being lost in Brooklyn.
＜Screening Titles: Program B＞
Thursday, February. 29th 6:00pm～
“Mom’s Celestial Robe of Feathers” 21:29 / 2022 / Japan /Drama
FY 2021 Japan Cultural Expo Project Presented and Co-presented by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, and Japan Arts Council Special Production Short
Writer / Director / Editor: Kazuhiro Taira Online Q&A
Cast: Misaki Hattori, Ririka Kawashima, Koh Ikeda, Gori (Garage Sale) and Machiko Ono
Original Story: “Mom’s Celestial Robe of Feathers” by Kumiko Takahashi
Synopsis: “There are many things that I don’t like.” The traffic jam on the way to Naha, my debt-ridden father, my best friend’s boyfriend, milk, and my hometown, Shioya-wan.”
Why did my beautiful mother marry my father? Ruri tried to escape from these thoughts as she faced an uncertain future. Then, one day, she learns of her mother’s past, but…
“Jose’s Tour de Tokyo”15:47 / 2019 / Japan / Drama
Tokyo Cine-magic Project Special Production
Director: Kimie Tanaka
Cast: Diego Cataño, Nash Edgerton, Mitsuru Fukikoshi
Synopsis: “Jose’s Tour de Tokyo” is a story of a young Mexican man, Jose, and his first visit to Tokyo as he works for a social media influencer, Alex.
Running around town in an attempt to fulfill his demands, Jose discovers the charms of the city.
“Samurai Swordfish”24:58 / 2022 / Japan / Drama
Tokyo Cinema Sports Project Special Production
Writer/Director：Hiroki Horanai Online Q&A
Cast：Hiroki IijimaMaito FujiokaKeisei Kawahara
with Marty Friedman andHiroshi Fujioka
Synopsis：25 minutes in length, “Samurai Swordfish” begins the story in the timeof Edo, 1863. AisukeKajiki, a young blind swordsman, is entrusted the sonof his best friend ToramaruSakakibara, who is about to join the Shogun‘sSamurai Unit and promises to train him well. However, after Toramaru‘sdeath in battle, Eisuke drowns in a river and is transported in time topresent-day Tokyo. Eisuke and his descendant, Ryusei, a college student,go to meet Toramaru‘sdescendant, Taiga, a swimmer. The blind samurai‘spromise to his best friend in Edo is fulfilled 160 years later inpresent-day Tokyo through para-swimming.
＜Screening Titles: Program C＞
Friday, March 1st 2024年3月1日 6:00pm～
“The Old Woman Skin” 19:56 / 2021 / Japan / Drama
FY 2020 Japan Cultural Expo Project Presented and Co-presented by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, and Japan Arts Council Special Production Short
Writer /Director: Hiroki Inoue
Cast: Konatsu Kato, Kenta Hamano, Miho Kanazawa, Hairi Katagiri and Keiko Takahashi
Original Story: “The Old Woman Skin” by Ao Omae
Synopsis: “I don’t like to be told I’m beautiful.”
Before going to Tokyo from her hometown of Mishima, Fukushima Prefecture, Kyoko stopped by at Tsuchiyu Onsen and was handed an “old woman’s skin.” This allowed her transform herself into an old woman, enabling her to find out what’s truly in the heart of the man she cares about …
“Home Away from Home” 12:36 / 2017 / Japan / Drama
Tokyo Cine-magic Project Special Production
Director：Yukinori Makabe
Cast : James Jirayu, Junko Abe, Hershel Peppers, Elizabeth Seymour & Irène Jacob
Synopsis：A taxi driver, a young girl and a backpacker simultaneously experience a wonderful journey in Tokyo, where they find connections to their own homes in Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia. Throughout their journey, they run into the same Japanese woman named Akiko. Meanwhile, a writer in Paris recalls her encounter with Akiko in Tokyo.
“Wife’s Power Outage”21:06 / 2023 / Japan / Drama
Tokyo Sustainable Recovery Project
Writer/ Director: Kimi Yawata Onlinw Q&A
Cast: Cast: Asami Usada, Munetaka Aoki, TatsumasaMurasame
Synopsis:Hana and Yusuke, a couple living in Tokyo, have been distant in their relationship after an incident three years ago, and spend more and more time alone. Unable to close the gap between them, the two are in a karaoke roomunable to make up their minds regarding the divorce papers laid out in front of them.
While Hana sings in desperation, Tokyo suffers a blackout due to a power shortage.At the same time, Hana suddenly collapses…
“TOKYO RAIN” 12:07 / Switzerland / 2021 / Fantasy
SSFF & ASIA 2022 Cinematic Tokyo Competition Best Short Award / The Governor of Tokyo Award
Director：Michel Wild & Robert Schneider Q&A on site
Synopsis：Heavy rain has been hitting the facades of Tokyo. Masahiro is alone in his office. He calls his wife, who doesn’t seem to be excited about her husband’s overtime. He falls asleep on the computer during his monotonous paperwork. He has a nightmare. When he wakes up, nothing seems the way it used to be.
＜Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia Japan Program Screening in Switzerland Outline＞
■Date ＆ Time：
Wednesday, February 28th to Friday, March 1st 6:00pm～8:00pm
■Venue：
Japan Information and Cultural Center, Embassy of Japan in Switzerland
Engestrasse 43, 3012 Bern
■Contents:
Screening short films staged in Japan for 3 nights
（Screening Titles）
＜Program A＞ Wednesday, February 28th 6:00pm～
“The way back home”, “Shakespeare in Tokyo“ , “This is Tokyo”, “Trumpet”
＜Program B＞Thursday, February. 29th 6:00pm～
“Mom’s Celestial Robe of Feathers”, “Jose’s Tour de Tokyo”, “Samurai Swordfish”
＜Program C＞Friday, March 1st 6:00pm～
”The Old Woman Skin“, “Home Away from Home”, “Wife’s Power Outage”, “TOKYO RAIN”
■Admission：Free
※for the event registration, please fill in the form https://eu.jotform.com/form/240293456018354