Transcending experiences through film

A mix of classic and contemporary Japanese films is being shown in Cape Girardeau as part of an international film festival sponsored by Southeast Missouri State University and Biokyowa.

The festival begins Tuesday. Films will be shown on campus Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and on March 6 at Cape West 14 Cine.

The films show a range of directing styles as well as different eras of Japanese culture, said Adelaide Parsons, director of the university's office of international programs.

The films are provided in part by a grant from the Japan Foundation, which offers universities a selection of movies from which to choose.

The four films being shown are "The Makioka Sisters," "The Eel," "Maboroshi" and "Tasogare Seibei."

The "Makioka Sisters" tells the story of the changing political and social scenery in Japan prior to World War II, as seen by four sisters. It is based on the book "Sasame Yuki," whose author was banned from completing the book during World War II.

The film is considered a classic, said Kohta Fujiwara, president of Biokyowa, a Cape Girardeau-based manufacturing company.

"The Eel" is a dark comedy about a man and his beloved pet eel. It won an award at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.

A technique known as geometrically calculated composition was used to film "Maborosi."

But it's the film "Tasogare Seibei" that likely will get the greatest amount of attention. It has been nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign film, making it the first Japanese film to be nominated in 22 years. The film won 12 of the 14 awards presented during the 2003 Japan Academy Awards. It won for best film, best director, best actor and best actress. The film tells the story of a poor samurai who struggles to get by and to find happiness.

The Japanese community isn't an enormous one in Southeast Missouri, but the film festival provides an opportunity to view some of the more popular films from their homeland.

The festival was a good opportunity for Biokyowa to do something in the community. It could lead to more cultural events in the area, Fujiwara said.

The festival began last year and helps promote a better understanding of world cultures, Parsons said. Since the university offers two semesters of Japanese language courses and has an exchange program for American students, the festival focuses on Japanese art this year.

"People in the area can recognize the similarities in the cultures and how they view arts and major events and express emotion that you can't get in a magazine," Parsons said. "Film transcends experiences."

Many of the Japanese students at Southeast are happy that the films are being shown, because "it shows that we value what they do in the artistic world," she said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

Want to go?

"The Makioka Sisters": 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Scully building, room 418.

"The Eel": 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Scully building, room 423.

"Maboroshi": 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Glenn Auditorium in the Dempster building.

"Tasogare Seibei": 9:30 a.m. March 6 at Cape West 14 Cine.