10 Movies to Watch at Japanese Film Fest Eiga Sai

Myra is a writer and an editor. She has penned…

Looking for a different way to destress this week? Head over to Shangri-La Plaza to check out the annual Japanese Film Festival, Eiga Sai. Enjoy a unique mix of feature films and documentaries that put the spotlight on Japanese food and culture, which will run until the 19th of July.

Documentary film and food lovers will enjoy WA-SHOKU~Beyond Sushi~, which takes an in-depth look at traditional Japanese food, and The God of Ramen, which follows a distinguished ramen cook who is dedicated to serving the best ramen.

Photo of WA-SHOKU ~Beyond Sushi courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *WA-SHOKU~Beyond Sushi~* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of The God of Ramen courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *The God of Ramen* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Desserts take center stage at PATISSERIE Coin de rue, which revolves around the story of a cake-maker’s daughter who meets a former patissier legend. A Tale of Samurai Cooking-A True Love Story takes viewers to feudal Edo Japan, focusing on the lives of a family who are renowned for their love for culinary arts.

Photo of Patisserie Coin de Rue courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Patisserie Coin* de rue courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of A Tale of Samurai Cooking courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *A Tale of Samurai Cooking* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

While food takes center stage in this year’s Eiga Sai, the lineup also features an interesting set that offer a peek at different aspects of Japanese culture. It’s a Beautiful Life – IRODORI is an inspiring flick that follows the story of three friends who decide to open a business; Our Family is a drama that delves into a family’s struggle in dealing with their mother’s impending death; while Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto features two friends who get entangled in family issues and a mysterious cult.

Photo of It’s a Beautiful Life – IRODORI courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *It’s a Beautiful Life – IRODORI* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of Our Family courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Our Family* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of while Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Next, 2014 NETPAC awardee Wood Job! strikes a perfect balance between drama and comedy in this coming-of-age film about a boy in a mountain village. Those who are looking for lot of laughs can check out Thermae Romae II, a comedy flick about a time-traveling Roman Empire bathhouse architect. Those on the prowl for unusual fare could check out Princess Jellyfish, a movie based on a manga about a cross-dressing jellyfish geek. Parasyte is another manga adaptation, which follows the battle between humans and parasites, and the unlikely friendship between a high school boy and a parasite living off him.

Photo of Wood Job! courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Wood Job!* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of Thermae Romae II courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Thermae Romae II* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of Princess Jellyfish courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Princess Jellyfish* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Photo of Parasyte! courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations — Photo of *Parasyte!* courtesy of Buensalido and Associates Public Relations

Planning to drop by the Shang Cineplex this week? Take a look at the movie schedules below:

July 12 (Sunday)
Thermae Romae II: 1:30 p.m.
A Tale of Samurai Cooking-A True Love Story: 4:30 p.m.
Wood Job!: 7:30 p.m.

July 13 (Monday)
WA-SHOKU ~Beyond Sushi~: 1:30 p.m.
Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto: 4:30 p.m.
Thermae Romae II: 7:30 p.m.

July 14 (Tuesday)
Wood Job!: 1:30 p.m.
WA-SHOKU ~Beyond Sushi~: 4:30 p.m.
The God of Ramen: 7:30 p.m.

July 15 (Wednesday)
Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto: 1:30 p.m.
Princess Jellyfish: 4:30 p.m.
Our Family: 7:30 p.m.

July 16 (Thursday)
It’s a Beautiful Life – IRODORI-: 1:30 p.m.
PATISSERIE Coin de rue: 4:30 p.m.
WA-SHOKU ~Beyond Sushi~: 7:30 p.m.

July 17 (Friday)
Thermae Romae II: 1:30 p.m.
It’s a Beautiful Life – IRODORI –: 4:30 p.m.
Princess Jellyfish: 7:30 p.m.

July 18 (Saturday)
Wood Job!: 1:30 p.m.
A Tale of Samurai Cooking – A True Love Story: 4:30 p.m.
Parasyte: 7:30 p.m.

July 19 (Sunday)
The God of Ramen: 1:30 p.m.
PATISSERIE: Coin de rue: 4:30 p.m.
Tada’s Do-It-All House: Disconcerto: 7:30 p.m.

What's Your Reaction?

Excited

Happy

In Love

Not Sure

Silly

Myra Mortega

Myra is a writer and an editor. She has penned speeches, magazine articles, educational materials, and online content. She enjoys traveling, doodling, taking photos, and laughing to "Friends" reruns.