Bunji Sotoyama, 2013 | 81 minutes
Tae, a 77-year-old widow, attempts to inject a ‘spark’ into her life and signs up with a matchmaking service in pursuit of a last chance at love. Despite the impending bad dates and the unrelenting opposition from those around her, Tae stays in search of her silver-haired knight in shining armour. A Sparkle of Life is a wonderful romantic comedy by rookie filmmaker Bunji Sotoyama that will make you laugh and cry. Exploring the hopes and dreams of Japan’s aging population, the film was a huge hit in its native Japan and even received praise from Japan’s late theatre director Yukio Ninagawa, who described it as ‘a movie that makes getting old OK.’
Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.
ADMISSION IS FREE
Hayoto Kawai, 2017 | 121 minutes
Hikari Tomonaga enrolls at Fukui Chuo High School, and joins its cheer dance club for the sole reason of cheering on a boy she has known from their junior high days. However, the club's coach, female teacher Kaoru Saotome, is a harsh and no-nonsense task master who suddenly declares: "Our aim is to become U.S. champions! No fringes or boyfriends allowed!" As older students quickly quit the club, the presence of Hikari's teammate Ayano encourages her to decide to stick with cheer dance for the time being. Will the club achieve their goal of becoming U.S. champions? These ordinary schoolgirls set off on a long journey toward making their dream a reality.
Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.
ADMISSION IS FREE
The Canadian Film Institute, in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and The Japan Foundation, is proud to present the 36th annual Japan Film Festival, featuring the best of contemporary Japanese cinema.
Admission is free for both screenings.
Admission is free for both screenings.
