Just this
morning, I woke up earlier than usual and prepared myself to go to Abreeza
Ayala Mall, where free screening of few Japanese movies was held. Abreeza was
just one of the two venues for this year’s Japanese Film Festival (Eiga Sai).
Thanks to The Japan Foundation for making this event possible, continuing the yearly
cultural exchange between Japan and Filipinos through movies which deepen our
understanding and strengthen the bonds and friendship of the people. Eiga Sai
2014 movies revolve around the theme “family”.
It was my
first time to participate in this rare event, considering that it only happens
once a year. I couldn’t let the chance slip by again, even if I had the option
to just watch those movies at home or with friends. I am not a movie theatre person,
but when I heard Ookami Kodomo no Ame to
Yuki (おおかみこどもの雨と雪) is one of
the movies to be shown, I couldn’t help but be curious of the people’s
reactions. I had already watched the movie last year for quite a few times. I couldn’t get enough of it. I think I can
even watch it many times again without the subtitles. It’s just too adorable. It’s
my favorite anime movie at the moment.
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| Hosoda Mamoru's Wolf Children. Photo not mine. |
So why
would I watch it again in a confined space full of people? I was initially
conflicted. A side of me was already content that I had already watched it. The
other was really curious of what other people, especially those who would watch
it for the first time, would think. I was imagining if people would laugh at
the scenes I found funny, go “awww” at the heart-warming scenes, or scream “kyaaaa~”
at the hinted romance. When I put myself surrounded by people in that dark
place and hear their raw reactions, I almost lost contact with reality. My mind
was drifting away in excitement. It was a 30-70 tug-of-war of these two
choices. Basically, the latter choice won, and that’s how I ended up going to
the cinema for once.
I met up
with some senpai from the university.
As early as 10AM, the opening of the mall, free tickets for the two movies of
the third day of Eiga Sai at Abreeza were being distributed. I thankfully had
my senpai get one for me while they
were waiting for the doors to open. The first movie was Wolf Children, which started at 10:30 AM. It was about 2 hours long.
The second movie was Like Father, Like
Son (そして父になる). As expected, hearing the raw reactions and
funny remarks was a fun experience, aside from the satisfaction from watching
the two good movies.
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| Photo not mine |
Eiga Sai
2014 is not yet over for those who live in Davao. Read this external post for
more info. Although I hope to enjoy more of the Eiga Sai this year has to
offer, but I barely escaped from the other stuff I had to do just to watch
today. Nonetheless, I am really happy and satisfied with my decision. J
