Moroccan audiences enchanted by Japanese short films
To mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Morocco, four Japanese short films, including last year’s Best Short Award winner and a film produced by SSFF
& ASIA, were screened at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Rabat, Morocco.
The screening was organized by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) as part of the “Transmission of Japanese Brand” project. In order for Japan to implement foreign policy effectively it is important that a positive image of Japan is established. This is achieved by providing information not only to governments but also directly to citizens, and by encouraging interpersonal interaction at a general public level. Consequently, MOFA has been making an effort to introduce diverse aspects of Japanese traditional and pop culture overseas. SSFF & ASIA has been supporting this “Transmission of Japanese Brand” project for the past three years, holding short film screenings in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Muscat (Oman) in 2015, in Tehran (Iran) in 2014, and in Cairo (Egypt) in 2013.
Many guests, including individuals from Moroccan film festivals, film directors, and actors and actresses invited through the Embassy of Japan in Morocco’s mailing list, attended the screening. There seemed to be great interest in Japanese cinema, with journalists from local newspapers and TV stations also present at the screening.
The four short films screened were: “Shabu-Shabu Spirit” (Dir. Yuki Saito), “A Warm Spell” (Dir. Toshimichi Saito), “Oh Lucy!” (Dir. Atsuko Hirayanagi) and “Kerama Blue” (Dir. Tsukasa Kishimoto). As part of the event, Seigo Tono, SSFF & ASIA’s Festival Director, spoke about the festival in Tokyo and discussed the elements of Japanese culture hidden in each of the four stories. He also addressed the current trend in “Branded short films”, a new genre that is opening up future possibilities for short film. Applause could be heard at the end of each film, so it seems that the audience enjoyed the screening throughout.
Following the screening, a Q & A session was also held. Young audience members asked Tono about Japan, posing questions such as, “Does Japanese language have many regional dialects?”, in reference to the film “Kerama Blue”, which was shot entirely in Okinawa. The Director General of Marrakesh Superior Visual Arts School also contributed with questions such as, “What is the current situation of Japanese cinema?” and, “What is the situation of short film in Japan?”
It was a short stay in Morocco, but we feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to establish initial contact with so many Moroccan film industry professionals. We hope to see more short film submissions from this country in the coming years. Many Moroccan’s seem to take a keen interest in Japan, so we shall also continue to look for further opportunities to collaborate in the future.