Asian Home Box Office in "Screen Red"

Asian movie affecionados rejoice!!

There is now a channel dedicated to Asian movies (Japanese, Korean, Chinese) which are professionally subtitled, like one of those feature films with foreign languages, and delivered right to your cable TV. From the guys at HBO Asia and Mei Ah comes 'Screen Red', quality Asian movies and features.

Me and my wife can't get enough of Japanese dramas and movies. We'd buy tons of DVD's, download series from the net, or borrow some top quality original DVD's if we're lucky enough. But now, with the 'Screen Red' channel featuring award winning feature films and distinct movies with their own charater and flair, our appetite for the best Asian movies, whether be it Japanese, Korean or Mandarin, is topped off. Its a dream come true.

The problem now is, we don't get much sleep because of all the good features, especially in the weekends.

'The Stomp' at Greenbelt 3

After our anniversary dinner, a walk along Greenbelt 3 gave us a chance to experience the infectious grooves and moves of the internationally acclaimed cast of 'The Stomp'. They also had the world renowned hip hop dance group 'Philippine All Stars' as a front act for the night's event.

For those who don't know, 'The Stomp' is a non-traditional Broadway show that uses different choreography and percussive instrument made of everyday tools to bring about a dazzling show of dance, comedy and some cool, world music inspired, grooves.

I first saw this group a few years ago in a TV special, which I don't remember. I was amazed on how this group can dance while their steps alone can make the beats in which they dance to. It was a cool event to watch. And seeing the group perform last night (Oct.14,2011) at Greenbelt 3 not only reminded me of that point in time, but also let my son see what I was amazed with when I was his age.

Too bad we don't have the time and money to see the actual show...event the P700 slot. But at least I get to see an intimate performance of the group.

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Some Stomp Videos from last night's performance

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"Robo Tandang"

My son and I made a short clip inspired by the Cartoon Network series "Robot Chicken", we call it "Robo Tandang" (robo rooster).

This goes to show that this happens when everyone is bored, you can't play outside because of the typhoon, and the dvd player is not working.

Japan Foundation's "EigaSai 2011"

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...

Okuribito ("Departures")

Masahiro Motoki (as Daigo Kobayashi)
Ryouko Hirosue (as Mika Kobayashi, Daigo's wife)
Tsutomu Yamazaki (as Shouei Sasaki, Daigo's boss)
Kumiko Yo (as Yuriko Uemura, staff of Shouei)

I recently got to watch the Japanese movie 'Okuribito'. Its a movie, partly narrated on a first person perspective of the main protagonist Daigo Kobayashi, about his life as an 'encoffiner' (or 'Nookanjin'). Originally a cellist for an orchestra, he returns to his mother's house in the province after the group doesn't get much ticket sales for their performances and was forced to be disbanded. Answering to a vague ad in the newspaper, Daigo ends up as an 'encoffiner' in his hometown.

In watching Japanese drama or movies, you not only get entertained, but you also get to learn something new. In the Japanese movie 'Okuribito', you get an insight into Japanese burial customs and traditions, in which the 'encoffiner', with a short dignified ceremony, cleanses the body and changes them to their burial clothes before they are transferred to the coffin for their last rites. It is said that this practice is often done by family members, but recent trends increased the need for a professional encoffiner.

Even though that he is despised for his line of work, for not having a 'normal', 'dignified' job, Daigo doesn't quit.

In providing the transitional service, their clients find themselves in a epiphany about their lives, their relationships, and their bond with the deceased. Helping the bereaved find closure and start the healing process for them to carry on. This, in turn, gives Daigo a sense of fullfillment of what he does for the people.

Little does he know that the same sense of fullfillment he gives to his clients will ultimately lead to his own salvation and rediscover his roots as he applies his skill as an 'encoffiner' to the father he barely knew.

After seeing this movie, I searched the web for more info about it. I was surprised to see the sheer number of awards it attained in various award giving bodies around the world. It even bagged the 'Best Foreign Film' from the 81st Academy Awards. Although the movie was a success, the director was worried because discussing death in a family is considered taboo. I also read in wikipedia that this film took 10 years to make as Motoki took the time to learn about encoffining and playing the cello. The director also attended several funeral ceremonies to understand the setting, the mood, and the feelings of the ones left behind.

(Daigo and Mika at the riverbanks)

While I was drawn in with the story and Masahiro Motoki's acting, I also can't get my eyes off the character played by Ryouko Hirosue.

Its a very good movie to watch. Even those who are not fans of Japanese movies or dramas will get something out of watching this.