ASIAN THREE FOLDING MIRROR 2018: JOURNEY

An Asian Omnibus Crosses Borders

Venue(s): Shinjuku Picadilly
November 9 (Sat), 2018 - November 15 (Fri), 2018
Language: Multi-languages with English and Japanese subtitles
Official website: asian3mirror.jfac.jp/2018_journey/en/
Theater website: www.smt-cinema.com/site/shinjuku/movie/detail/?cinemaid=T0023436&mo=25970&type=0
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EDWuBy8HJo
Tariff: ¥1,800

Title: アジア三面鏡2018：Journey (Asia Sanmenkyo 2018: Journey)
Director: Degena Yun (China), Daishi Matsunaga (Japan) and Edwin (Indonesia) Duration: 82 min

Although it doesn’t entirely qualify as a Japanese film, Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2018: Journey is an omnibus project that originated in Japan, and includes an episode directed by Japanese helmer Daishi Matsunaga. All three films are appearing with English subs.

Hekishu, Dir: Daishi Matsunaga (Japan)

The second installment in a coproduction series between the Japan Foundation Asia Center and the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), where it had its world premiere a few weeks ago, Asian Three-Fold Mirror: Journey brings Matsunaga (Pieta in the Toilet, Hanalei Bay) together with China’s Degena Yun (Latitude 52, A Simple Goodbye), and Edwin (Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly, Postcards from the Zoo), from Indonesia.

The crews and casts of Journey joined forces across national borders to depict the lives of characters whose journeys take place in China, Myanmar and Japan. One of Indonesia's most popular actors, Nicholas Saputra, appears in all three omnibus episodes, starring in Edwin’s Variable No. 3 and making cameos in the other two films.

Matsunaga worked with a crew from China, Indonesia, Myanmar and the UK on his episode, Hekishu, which was shot in Yangon, Myanmar. The erstwhile capital is experiencing rapid democratization and urban renewal, although the old cityscape is still prominent, especially around the city’s circular railway. A Japanese businessman, Suzuki (Hiroki Hasegawa of Shin Godzilla) arrives to work on the implementation of a new rapid-transit system. Yet, after meeting a Burmese seamstress named Su Su (Nandar Myat Aung), he begins to question just how much progress is actually good for the residents, many of whom will be displaced by the upgrade.

The Sea, Dir: Degena Yun (China)

Yun’s The Sea is a road movie about a mother and daughter (Jin Chen and Zhe Gong) traveling by car from Beijing to the seashore, bickering constantly and obviously miserable about being stuck together. But gradually, the viewer understands where they’re going and why, and the film provokes an unexpected emotional response.

Variable No. 3, Edwin (Indonesia)

In Edwin’s Variable No. 3, an Indonesian couple (Agni Pratistha and Oka Antara) who are having marital problems stay at a Tokyo guesthouse run by a mysterious man (Nicholas Saputra) who first peeps on them, and then offers to provide training to improve their relationship. Known for his surrealistic touches, Edwin’s film combines the creepy with the oddly sensuous.

Photos: ©2018 The Japan Foundation, All Rights Reserved.

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