5 Jan – The Japanese Film Festival 2021 (JFF) was officially launched yesterday after over a year-long hiatus to continue to provide the best of Japanese films to all film lovers in Malaysia For fans of contemporary Japanese cinema, September is that time of the year when the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is celebrated in Malaysia. However, the event could not be held in September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but fret not. Though delayed, the 17th edition was ceremoniously launched yesterday as JFF returns with an exciting selection of 13 films. Held at GSC Mid Valley Megamall, the opening ceremony was officiated by YBhg. Datuk Wira Dr. Noor Zari bin Hamat, Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. "Films are one of several ways to share life experiences through visual means and being connected to stories of people from far corners of this world. From documentaries to fiction, love stories to comedies, or human drama to art films, you can learn so much about the country and its people through the stories you see in the film," shared YBhg. Datuk Wira Dr. Noor Zari bin Hamat.
"Let me record our gratitude to both the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur for the deep support and patience, in re-scheduling this in-cinema event and having the faith in running the Japanese Film Festival in a cinema proper, where Japanese movie fans can converge with safety measures in place, to enjoy the exclusive Japanese movies together," said Ms. Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Screen Cinemas in her speech. "When activity restrictions are imposed because of the pandemic, it is quite exciting to watch a film at a real cinema. A real cinema with comfy chairs, large and powerful screen with amazing sound effects, and delicious snacks to munch on. We've missed all of this so much for a very long time," said Mr Kaname Araki, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur. Mr Araki further highlighted that 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy since the Malaysian Government introduced it in 1982.
The Japanese Film Festival 2021 will be held at selected GSC cinemas in the Klang Valley (GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama and GSC NU Sentral) from 6 to 12 January 2022. This will be followed by Penang (GSC Gurney Plaza) and Johor Bahru (GSC Paradigm Mall JB) from 13 to 16 September. JFF will then head over to East Malaysia to Kuching (GSC CityONE Megamall) and Kota Kinabalu (GSC Suria Sabah) from 20 to 23 January 2022. All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles. The tickets for JFF 2021 will be sold at RM9.50 and can be purchased two days before the first day of screening at each region. SOPs will be adhered at and during all screenings. CLICK HERE for more info on the festival and check the cinema showtimes for the films! Thanks to our friends at The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, we have complimentary passes to giveaway! Use Cinema Online's promo code during checkout to redeem your JFF 2021 complimentary pass: JFFCON000003F