Not just karate

I remember growing up and thinking about becoming a Ninja or Samurai, I just really wanted to be a Karate master, but luckily I found my love in movies.

The third annual Japanese Film Festival is upon us and it looks promising. Three movies over three nights and it brings a whole lot of Japanese culture and entertainment. The free festival brings some of the best Japanese movies to local audiences.

Ster-Kinekor Maerua Mall will once again host the festival which will start on 10 October at 18:00. This year’s films ranges from animation to action-comedy and drama. Tickets to the movies will be available at the cinema one hour before they start. Below are the movies and what their all about.

Rudolf the Black Cat

This animated film opens the festival on Wednesday. It is the story of Rudolf a cat separated from his owner. He wakes up on a long-distance truck in Tokyo, where he meets a big boss cat named Ippai-attena. Rudolf decides to join him, because he does not know how to get back.

Oshin

A drama set in 1907 and it tells the story of Oshin, a daughter of an impoverished peasant in rural Japan. She is traded for rice and sent to work as a maid in a lumber store. Oshin is pushed to the limit by the head maid, but she endures. The movie will air on Thursday, 11 October.

Samurai Cat

The final movie of the festival will play on 18 October. Kyutaro was a Samurai and a feared killer, but he now lives in poverty after he lost his position. One day he receives an offer to kill a cat and he takes the offer. Upon raising his sword, the cat melts his heart and his troubles start all over again.