Press Release 102324.docx

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October 23, 2024

Contact: Chicago Japan Film Collective

Email: contact@cjfc.us

CHICAGO JAPAN FILM COLLECTIVE:
Celebrating the 4th Edition of the Midwest's First Japanese Film Festival

Chicago, IL — The Chicago Japan Film Collective (CJFC) returns in 2024 with an exciting lineup of 11 films under the theme of "Co-existence." This year’s program features two theater and nine online screenings, including six international premieres, three U.S. premieres, and two North American premieres, with three women-directed films.

The festival will kick off on Sunday, November 17, with House of Sayuri at the iconic, newly renovated 700-seat Music Box Theatre, in partnership with Hakutsuru’s SAYURI sake. Directed by horror master SHIRAISHI Koji, this film promises an electrifying start to the festival.

On November 24, the festival will close with Qualia, directed by USHIMARU Ryo, who also has an acting career. Qualia adds a reflective note to the festival, exploring emotional and personal journeys, making for a powerful conclusion.

For the second year, CJFC X will spotlight films from collaborations with Japanese festivals. This year's selection includes 99% Cloudy... Always from the Tanabe Benkei Film Festival and Esper X Private Detective Agency - Searching for Good-Bye - from the Jimbocho Film Festival (JMF).

In a new collaboration for 2024, the festival will stream on the SAKKA platform, opening more opportunities for U.S. distribution. The online selection includes two documentaries and seven feature films, allowing broader audience access to these remarkable works.

The CJFC Executive Committee organizes the CJFC, led by founder Yuki Sakamoto Solomon (President, Coyote Sun Productions) and co-founder KONO Hiroshi (President, Mar Creation), and sponsored by CATCH US PERFORMING ARTS (CUPA). The CJFC continues to bridge cultures through Japanese cinema, showcasing films that foster mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. while highlighting diverse voices.

DETAILS: Festival Period: Thursday, November 14, 2024 - Sunday, November 24, 2024 (CST, USA)

+In-theater screening (Chicago, IL)

Sunday, November 17, 2024: “Opening Night”

House of Sayuri by SHIRAISHI Koji

at MUSIC BOX THEATRE #1 (700 seats) at 7 pm (CST)

GENERAL ADMISSION: $15
THE MUSIC BOX THEATRE MEMBERS: $12

Sunday, November 24, 2024: “Closing Night”

Qualia by USHIMARU Ryo

at MUSIC BOX THEATRE #2 (70 seats) at 7:00 pm (CST)

GENERAL ADMISSION: $15
THE MUSIC BOX MEMBERS: $13

+ Virtual screening U.S. nationwide

ALL-VIRTUAL ACCESS PASS (Access to all 9 online screenings): $30
SINGLE VIRTUAL TICKET (Access to one online screening): $12

*Early Bird (until 11/10): $2 off with code CJFC2024EB

+ Film Festival Platform: SAKKA

+ Official Website: https://www.cjfc.us

+ Festival poster and film stills: Please contact at cotact@cjfc.us
+ Audience Award: Votes for the Audience Award will be cast through and in the theater. The award will be announced after the festival.

99% Cloudy... Always/99%、いつも曇り

Uncle's remark, "Aren't you planning to have children?" shakes Kazuha Kusunoki (45). Struggling with her tendencies towards Asperger's and the pain of a miscarriage, she faces the reality that her husband, Daichi (50), wants children. On top of that, they are encouraged to adopt, and their relationship slowly begins to drift apart...

Bring Minyo Back!/ブリング・ミンヨー・バック！

"What is minyo?" The Minyo Crusaders, based in Fussa, Tokyo, breathe new life into traditional Japanese folk music with unique influences. Not only gaining attention in Japan but internationally as well, this documentary follows their five-year challenge to revive minyo.

Copo a Copo/コーポ・ア・コーポ

Set in a low-rent apartment called "Copo" in the old town of Osaka, this heartwarming ensemble story follows quirky tenants with complicated backgrounds living under the same roof. Through ups and downs, they live resiliently, saying, “Things happen, but it'll be fine.” The original story is from Renji Iwanami's first comic book.

Esper X Private Detective Agency - Searching for Good-Bye -/エスパーX探偵社〜さよならのさがしもの〜

In Tokyo's Asakusa, where supernatural crimes are on the rise, the detective Matsuda, who can understand others' emotions by being hit, teams up with a detective with a complicated past, Minamino, to solve cases. This new take on detective films blends mystery and the supernatural.

The Girls/愚鈍の微笑み

Mana, Nanami, and Yuka, childhood friends, gather at a cabin in the woods. Although they engage in trivial conversations, an unsettling tension occasionally emerges. Their seemingly ordinary lives reveal much more in this anti-war themed film.

House of Sayuri ／サユリ

Visionary director Koji Shiraishi brings Renji Oshikiri’s popular horror manga to the screen in House of Sayuri. The ghost of Sayuri haunts the Kamiki family’s new dream home, and the surviving eldest son, Norio, teams up with his dementia-ridden grandmother, Harue, to seek revenge. This thrilling Japanese horror entertainment takes you on a terrifying ride!

Leave in Summer／あの娘は知らない

Set in Usami, a seaside town in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, this original film by Aya Igashi explores the meeting and healing between Nana and Shuntaro, both of whom carry feelings of loss. As they comfort each other in their loneliness, they gradually start moving forward together.

New Nemuro Pro Wrestling Story／新根室プロレス物語

A documentary following the amateur pro-wrestling group, Shin-Nemuro Pro Wrestling, based in Nemuro, Hokkaido. The film captures the deep bonds of the group, drawn to its passionate leader, Samson Miyamoto, who fights a serious illness while striving for town revitalization. The TV version received the Galaxy Award Encouragement Prize, among others.

Not Born Yesterday／きのう生まれたわけじゃない

Kenji Fukuma’s final work celebrates the life of the poet and filmmaker who “lived through poetry and film.” Not Born Yesterday tells the touching story of a girl who can read minds and a former sailor mourning his late wife, reflecting Fukuma’s belief that through encounters with others, we can find small glimmers of hope.

Qualia／クオリア

Yuko, married into a poultry farm family, diligently takes care of the household while enduring harassment from her husband’s sister. One day, a new live-in worker named Saki joins the farm, but it turns out she is her husband’s lover. Thus begins a strange and awkward cohabitation.

Till The Day I Can Laugh About My Blues／ブルーを笑えるその日まで

In this summer story, middle schooler Ann, who doesn’t fit in at school, meets Aina on the rooftop, who holds a kaleidoscope just like hers. They quickly become friends and spend an unforgettable summer together, but Ann starts to suspect Aina might be the "rooftop ghost" rumored at school. A touching debut feature film by rising director Karin Takeda, based on her personal experience.

A group of stars in the sky

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