As Japanese fans in India eagerly await the launch of “Japan Music & Film Festival—the World of RADWIMPS and renowned filmmaker Makoto Shinkai '' from Friday, Koji Sato, Director General, The Japan Foundation, Delhi, said that apart from music and films, the young generation from the duo countries shares a lot in common and can work together in a more actual field of global interests such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and social issues.
Talking to The Pioneer on the eve of the launch of the mega entertainment event, Sato said that beyond intellectual discourse, business trade and diplomatic ties, Japanese contemporary music and films, particularly anime and tradition, are finding huge popularity in India, especially among urbanites and youth who consider it ‘exciting’ and ‘trendy’.
“India-Japan ties go back to the 6th century when Buddhism was first introduced in Japan and since then, the two countries have shared a close deep relationship, encompassing not just trade and economic ties but also cultural exchange. Leading Indian intellectuals such as the Nobel-laureate writer Rabindranath Tagore maintained extensive contacts with Japanese intellectuals. This year, as we celebrate the 70th year of friendship between India and Japan, a string of cultural events and meetings has been organized,” he said.
The PVRs in four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru will host the fest from November 4 to December 11, 2022. The festival will kickstart in Delhi from November 4-6, followed by Mumbai from November 11-13, Chennai from November 25-27, and Bengaluru from December 9-11. The tickets can be booked through PVR Cinemas.
This year's festival is the special edition. RADWIMPS is a famous Japanese rock band formed in 2001 and has been awarded the Japanese Academy Award for Best Original Score, for composing the soundtracks for record-breaking animated feature films like "Your Name." and "Weathering With You," Directed by world-renowned animator and filmmaker Makoto Shinkai. RADWIMPS is also composing the music for Makoto Shinkai's upcoming movie "Suzume", which is scheduled for release in Japan, on November 11.
The DG said that “apart from music and films, more areas in the field of creativity can be explored where the young generation can work together. Like, they can work in a more actual field of global interests such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and social issues. IT skills and startups are other areas of collaboration.”
Back home, there has been a growing interest in Indian culture, particularly films. We hope for more such productive production in the near future, he said referring to the recent release of South Indian starrer Ram Charan and Jr NTR film RRR which has received rave reviews.