(ECNS) -- The Japan Film Week kicked off on Sunday as part of the ongoing 2016 Beijing International Film Festival, with a total of eight movies specifically chosen to represent the Japanese approach to film and a further 30 to be screened during the event.
Shown at the opening ceremony, digitally-restored Ran was directed by deceased Oscar-laureate Akira Kurosawa. Shot in the 1980s, it echoes Shakespeer's King Lear, set in Japan's Sengoku Period (1467-1603). It tells a dramatic and powerful story about change, fate and revenge involving a warlord family. Its high pursuit of aesthetics and subtle emotion has won it a good reputation from both academia and the general public home and abroad.
"It's regrettable that the Chinese audience was not able to watch the movie when it was released 31 years ago," said Mieko Harada, a leading actress in the film. "I'm very happy that they can enjoy it in better quality this time."
Another film to cast an eye on ancient Japan is The Ninja War of Torakage. Leading actor Takumi Saito has seen a rise in popularity among Chinese fans thanks to his role in a number of recent Japanese TV series.
Recognizing the increasing interest of Chinese and Japanese in respective film and TV dramas, Saito hopes there would be more and diversified channels for the spread and exchange of good works between the two countries.
"Movie, as a language of art, has a power that goes beyond ethnicity and nationality," Harada said. Citing impressive works by Chinese director Zhang Yimou and Chinese dancer Yang Liping, she added that great art doesn't have to be recognized by their origins alone.
Japan Film Week marked its 10th anniversary in 2015. As a joint effort by Chinese and Japanese authorities to promote cultural exchange, China hosts the event every year, mostly during Shanghai International Film Festival, while Japan holds China Film Week during Tokyo International Film Festival.
The event is also a platform for Japan to showcase some of its other attractions. An exhibition of the cities where the eight films were shot will be held at Ito Yokado Mall in southern Beijing during the film festival.
Not only Japanese movies are influencing Chinese, but also animation, Cosplay and many other sub-cultures. During Sunday's opening ceremony, dozens of Chinese fans of Lolita-style dresses gathered to showcase this unique culture and meet their idols –Misako Aoki and Akira, two famous Lolita models. The pair will present a show at Ito Mall on Monday.
Other events including film seminars and panel discussions will also be held to provide a chance for talks between Japanese film practitioners and the Chinese public.
