Nippon Connection 2011 programme announced!

by Chris MaGee

It was last week that we reported that after much deliberation that the Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival in Frankfurt am Main, Germany has decided to go ahead with their 11th year of programming despite the recent earthquake/ tsunami/ nuclear crisis in Japan, in fact as the statement on their official website states "Now more than ever, it is important to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship by a deeper understanding, by bringing the Japanese culture closer to the public mind in all its richness." With that in mind a press release was recently emailed out announcing almost the entire line-up for this year's festival, and once again it's a feast for any lover of Japanese film. Here are some of the newly announced highlights:

The previously announced Sushi Typhoon film "Helldriver" will now be joined by Noboru Iguchi's zany reboot "Karate-Robo Zaborgar". Go Shibata's latest film "Doman Seman" will up the insanity bracket (and the volume!) when it screens at the fest. I have to say it again, my favorite film of 2010, Linda Hoaglund's "ANPO" will be screening for audiences in Frankfurt. And last but not least fans of wild films like "Taste of Tea" and "Survive Style 5+" will not want to miss "Dum Beast" directed by former music video helmer Hideaki Hosono, but also the feature directorial debut of "Vermilion Pleasure Nights" creator Yoshimasa Ishibashi, "Milocrorze: A Love Story". Another reason those attending the fest won't want to miss these last two films is because some guy named Chris MaGee (that's me!) will be moderating a discussion with these two visually and comedically daring film-makers.

The folks at Affenheimtheater have the full list of films for this year's Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival posted. If there's any way you can get to Frankfurt between April 27th and May 1st then do so!