The annual Japanese Film Festival (JFF) by Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) kicks off on this very day in Klang Valley! Always awesome to get to catch some great films on big screen at a lower price. So what's in store for us this year? Read on...
Main organisers, Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia celebrated the launch of JFF 2013 today with a delicious spread of Japanese cuisine and a preview screening of romance comedy movie Ken & Mary (Digital 2D) in GSC Pavilion KL.
Host for the evening was H.E. Mr Shigeru Nakamura, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, together with Mr Shoichi Toyoda (Director of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur) and Ms Kyoko Kugai (Senior Program Officer of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur).
Joining them was honoured guests, Ms Koh Mei Lee (GSC, Chief Executive Officer), H.E. Mr Liudmila Vorobyeva (Ambassador of Russia to Malaysia), H.E. Mr Mario Sammartino (Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia), H.E. Mr Ong Keng Yong (High Commisioner of Singapore), Mr Hiroshi Matsuura (Minister of Japan), Mr. Koichi Wada (General Manager, Mitsubishi Corporation) and Mr. Shuichi Yoshida (General Manager, Mitsui & Co).
“We are indeed privileged to be here for the World Premiere of Ken & Mary which to my understanding, will only be screened in Japan in November. Once again, a great job to the organizing team for bringing in world premieres for 3 consecutive years to our Malaysian audience”, said Ms Koh Mei Lee (GSC, Chief Executive Officer) in her welcome speech during the launch.
She further adds, “This movie stars the multi-talented veteran, Takenaka Naoto, heartthrob Hu Bing, Kitano Kii and Malaysia’s very own raja lawak, Zizan, which was shot on location in Malaysia by director Fukasaku Kenta in Digital 2D format.”
2013 marks the 10th year anniversary for JFF being held here in GSC International Screens in GSC Pavilion KL, Mid Valley and 1 Utama (New Wing) and GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang. For the first time, the film festival will be extended to East Malaysia in GSC CityOne Megamall, Kuching and GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu over a 4 day period each at both the locations.
“This year also commemorates the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan Club Kuala Lumpur, and 30th anniversary of the Japanese Chamber of Trade & Industry in Malaysia. It is my sincere desire to see the friendship between Malaysia and Japan continue to grow and deepen in the next 30, 40 and 50 years to come,” said H.E. Mr Shigeru Nakamura (Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia) in his speech.
A total of nine (9) Japanese movies will be featured in the film festival, which includes a famous manga and anime series, Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea in Digital 2D (stay tuned for my review for this). Not to be missed movies include romance comedy The Great Passage and heart-warming culinary comedy, The Chef of South Polar. Animation movie Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror is highly recommended for children and family.
JFF 2013 will commenced on Sept 12 – 17 in GSC International Screens, Klang Valley, Sept 19 – 22 in GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang, Sept 26 – 29 in GSC CityOne Megamall, Kuching and Oct 3 – 6 in GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. Tickets for the movies will be priced at RM6 each except for Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea which will be priced at GSC’s prevailing ticket pricing for Digital 2D format.
For movie details and more information on Japanese Film Festival 2013, kindly log on to www.jfkl.org.my and www.gsc.com.my.
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