JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2022 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!

The second Japanese Film Festival in 2022 was officially launched yesterday, ready to entice all film lovers and new audiences alike with the best of Japanese cinema. The Opening Ceremony was successfully held at GSC Mid Valley graced by the presence of Ms. Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Screen Cinemas, H. E. Mr. TAKAHASHI Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, and officiated by YBhg. Datuk Hajah Saraya binti Arbi, Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).

“This year is the 35th Anniversary for GSC. It has been very challenging for GSC over the past two years due to cinema lockdowns. Although the road ahead is still tough, we are encouraged by the strong support of our movie fans and film festival partners,” shared Ms. Koh Mei Lee in her speech. She also shared that GSC International Screens will be turning 23 years old this year, and under this umbrella, they were able to collaborate and promote cultural awareness via the international movies specially brought in by the various embassies here in Malaysia.

“Films have very strong impact and potential to reach a big audience, which makes film an important and unique art form. Therefore, films have become a powerful tool for storytelling and a creative platform to express emotions, culture, history and futuristic ideas across people of diverse origins and social backgrounds,” said YBhg. Datuk Hajah Saraya binti Arbi. She hopes that this Japanese Film Festival will continue to be a window for Malaysians to further understand Japanese customs, culture and social development.

“By watching films you can get a lot of information and insight about people, culture, places and can even learn a new language. By watching the Japanese films during this festival, I hope you will be motivated to know more about the Japanese values, culture and way of life, and be enticed to visit Japan,” said the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, H. E. Mr. Takahashi Katsuhiko.

He further added, “the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy is a good opportunity to shed light on the past achievements and reflect on the bilateral relations for the future. In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to open up prospects for how Japan and Malaysia should learn from each other for the coming decades.”

The Japanese Film Festival 2022 will be held at participating GSC cinemas in the Klang Valley (GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama and GSC NU Sentral) from 8 to 14 September followed by Penang (GSC Gurney Plaza) from 15 to 18 September and Johor Bahru (GSC Paradigm Mall JB) from 22 to 25 September. JFF will then be touring East Malaysia to Kuching (GSC CityONE Megamall and GSC The Spring) and Kota Kinabalu (GSC Suria Sabah) from 6 to 9 October.

All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Tickets will be sold at RM 9.50 except for “Just Remembering” which will be sold at prevailing ticket pricing.

For more information, visit www.jfkl.org.my and www.gsc.com.my.