Japan Foundation, in lieu of this year's Philippine-Japan Friendship month, recently concluded their successful first leg of "Eaiga Sai 2011". Eiga Sai is a film festival which showcases the best in modern Japanese films to the masses for free. The next showcase will be held Davao on July 22 and then travel to Cebu on Aug.2. The Last leg will be held at the UP Film Institute on Aug17 to 20.With today's youth and masses gobbling up anything Japanese, and with the rise of East-Asian dramas, the venue of the first leg (Shangrila Plaza, Mandaluyong) was less than capable to accommodate the hordes of movie and drama lovers to get a taste of modern Japanese movies on the big screen. Unfortunately, I was not able to get in...again. Lining up since 10am last Sunday only to be told that the venue won't be able to accommodate us people at the back of the 'snake' (or hairpin curve mountain, depending on your favorite anime reference), and that was by 7pm.
Not such a big loss, since I can still enjoy Japanese dramas and movies at the comfort of my own home. I just wanted to experience seeing it on the big screen like an actual movie. Like in the first Eiga Sai at Megamall where I fell in love with Rena Tanaka's character in 'Ganbatte Ikimasshoi'. Enjoying the selection along with fellow J-drama enthusiasts who started using dramas and movies as tools to train ourselves in Nihongo.
This year's major opus is the multi-awarded 'Okuribito'. If you can only attend one filming, make sure to catch this very good movie.
I only hope to attend next year's...