Nippon Connection Design 2017: Wabi-Sabi-Ästhetik

Asymmetrie, Reduktion, Rauheit und Unregelmäßigkeit sind einige der zentralen Aspekte der Wabi-Sabi-Ästhetik. Eng mit dem Zen-Buddhismus verbunden, ist diese Philosophie ein wichtiger Teil japanischer Kulturgeschichte. Sie ist aber auch in Facetten unserer Gegenwart präsent, z.B. in der Do-It-Yourself-Bewegung. Mit der Übertragung einzelner Elemente des Wabi-Sabi auf das Grafikdesign hat der Designer Il-Ho Jung den diesjährigen … Continue reading Nippon Connection Design 2017: Wabi-Sabi-Ästhetik

Guest in Focus: Hajime IZUKI – The Light Dances (TKY2015 Short Film Series)

The Festival is over but our Guest in Focus series is not. Today we will learn a bit more about Hajime IZUKI, director of The Light Dances, which is one of the short films of the TKY2015 project, which screened at this years Nippon Connection festival. When and how did you first get into filmmaking? … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Hajime IZUKI – The Light Dances (TKY2015 Short Film Series)

Gastbeitrag: Schneeland – Festivaldiary, Ausrisse

Es ist ein warmer Abend. Wir sitzen zusammen vor der Naxoshalle, während es immer dunkler wird. Ein weiterer Tag der Nippon Connection liegt hinter uns mit all seinen Filmen, Veranstaltungen, dem Essen, den vielen Begegnungen und endlosen Gesprächen. Man wünscht sich immer den Austausch, während man als Einzelgänger durchs Jahr wandert, angeschlossen an die Gemeinschaft der Gleichgesinnten nur … Continue reading Gastbeitrag: Schneeland – Festivaldiary, Ausrisse

Guest in Focus: Kimi TAKESUE – 95 And 6 To Go

On the last day of the festival, the Guest in Focus series turns to Kimi TAKESUE, director of the documentary 95 And 6 To Go. When and how did you first get into filmmaking? I was initially drawn to filmmaking during my college years as an extension of my academic interests in Cultural Studies … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Kimi TAKESUE – 95 And 6 To Go

Guest in Focus: ITAKO – Boys For Sale

Welcome back to Guest in Focus, where we ask a few questions of some of our featured filmmakers in the Nippons Visions section of the festival. Today, we learn a bit about ITAKO, director of the Nippon Visions documentary Boys for Sale, which premiered on Wednesday evening. （インタビューの日本語版は以下をご覧ください。） When and how did you first … Continue reading Guest in Focus: ITAKO – Boys For Sale

Guest Article: Sonatine – Film Review: The Long Excuse

In the very first sequence of the movie, a man is having his hair cut by a woman. He is looking into the mirror, she is in the back. The two of them are chatting in a way it is possible to feel a relationship. The particular thing is that their looks always seem to … Continue reading Guest Article: Sonatine – Film Review: The Long Excuse

Nippon Connection 2017 – The Daily Highlights (May 28)

The maxim that all good things must eventually come to an end proves itself true time and again, no matter how painful, and Nippon Connection is no exception. Today, Sunday, May 28th, is the last day of this year's festival, so if you are able to, please come and share the final moments of this … Continue reading Nippon Connection 2017 – The Daily Highlights (May 28)

Guest Article: Windows on Worlds – Nippon Connection, Day 4

It’s day four of the festival and I’m already feeling quite tired, but Friday is my busiest day so far with five films packed into a busy schedule! It’s also one of the most varied, bouncing back and forth between mainstream and indie, thrillers, gothic romances and family dramas, each directed by veteran filmmakers trying … Continue reading Guest Article: Windows on Worlds – Nippon Connection, Day 4

Guest in Focus: Yuya ISHII – The Tokyo Night Sky is Always the Densest Shade of Blue

In our next Guest in Focus series, we ask a few questions of Yuya ISHII, the director of our last screening for Nippon Visions; The Tokyo Night Sky is Always the Densest Shade of Blue. （インタビューの日本語版は以下をご覧ください。） When and how did you first get into filmmaking? I started filmmaking at age 18, when I entered … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Yuya ISHII – The Tokyo Night Sky is Always the Densest Shade of Blue

Guest in Focus: Go SHIBATA – Gui Aiueo:s

We return to our Guest in Focus series, where we learn a bit more about the filmmakers featured in Nippon Visions. Today's first interview is with Go SHIBATA, the director of Gui Aiueo:s A Stone From Another Mountain To Polish Your Own Stone. （インタビューの日本語版は以下をご覧ください。） When and how did you first get into filmmaking? The task for … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Go SHIBATA – Gui Aiueo:s