Japanese Film Night: “ITO”
2024/10/16
On October 16, the film “ITO” was screened at a Japanese Film Night held at the ByTowne Cinema in Ottawa with the collaboration of the Japan Foundation Toronto.
At the beginning of the event, Minister Tokuro FURUYA, Deputy Head of Mission, delivered his opening remarks and said that movies help us discover other cultures and he hopes that it will be an opportunity to the audience to learn about Aomori, a northern prefecture in Japan where the film takes place.
“ITO” is directed by Satoko Yokohama, who herself grew up in Aomori, and it follows a shy high school girl who starts working at a maid café. It shows her growth with the help of her unique friends and her Tsugaru-shamisen, a Japanese three-stringed instrument.
About 350 people attended this screening. Many of them discovered the sound of Tsugaru-shamisen and grew interest in traditional Japanese music while they enjoyed the film.
At the beginning of the event, Minister Tokuro FURUYA, Deputy Head of Mission, delivered his opening remarks and said that movies help us discover other cultures and he hopes that it will be an opportunity to the audience to learn about Aomori, a northern prefecture in Japan where the film takes place.
“ITO” is directed by Satoko Yokohama, who herself grew up in Aomori, and it follows a shy high school girl who starts working at a maid café. It shows her growth with the help of her unique friends and her Tsugaru-shamisen, a Japanese three-stringed instrument.
About 350 people attended this screening. Many of them discovered the sound of Tsugaru-shamisen and grew interest in traditional Japanese music while they enjoyed the film.
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| The audience |
Minister Furuya delivering his remarks |
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| Still from the film | Still from the film |