Villain, PEAK – The Rescuers, other Japanese films to be screened starting July 5.

In celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month this coming July, the Japan Foundation-Manila and the Embassy of Japan will be screening 10 Japanese films for the 2012 Eiga Sai Japanese film festival this July and August.

This year’s Eiga Sai will be held in four cinemas across the country: Shang Cineplex Cinema 4 from July 5 to 15, Gaisano South Citimall in Davao City from July 20 to 22, Ayala Center Cebu Cinema 4 from August 7 to 12, and the UP Film Institute in Quezon City from August 15 to 21.

Kicking things off is an invitational screening of Villain at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 4 on July 5. Villain is an award-winning film directed by Lee Sang-Il and is based from the 2007 book Akunin by Shuichi Yoshida. It tells the story of Yuichi (played by Satoshi Tsumabuki) who, after killing a woman he met online, runs away with his lover Mitsuyo (Eri Fukastu).

Eri’s portrayal of Mitsuyo and her challenging and heated love scenes won her Best Actress awards at the Montreal World Film Festival 2010 and the Japan Academy Prize 2011. The film itself won earned a record 15 nominations at the Japan Academy Awards 2010, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Other films to be screened at this year’s Eiga Sai include PEAK–The Rescuers, Railways, Happy Flight, Tomorrow’s Joe, In His Chart, Colorful, Abacus And Sword, Permanent Nobara, and Ninja Kids.

Save for the first screening of Villain which is on a by-invitation-only basis, all films will be screened for free in 35mm format with English subtitles. You can read the complete screening schedules here (PDF), or call the Japan Foundation-Manila at (+632) 811-6155 to 58.

SOURCE: Japan Foundation-Manila website