Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Organizers held a press conference on Tuesday to preview the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival, held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 8.

In keeping with the times, the conference opened under a banner highlighting the fight against the coronavirus and looking to achieve sustainable goals.

The president of the Festival Jury, French actress Isabelle Huppert, sent a message during the press conference. “It is a great honor to be chosen to preside over the International Competition Jury of the 34th TIFF, one of the most important festivals in the world and one I have always considered with great respect,” she said. “What a joy to be welcomed again in Japan, a country with such a fascinating culture and impressive film history.”

The president of the festival, Hiroyasu Ando, took up the challenge of the pandemic through cinema by declaring: “I believe that cinema is an art form that reflects all of us as we deal with struggles and one that also gives us the courage to overcome such challenges. We will continue to exert our utmost efforts so that we can contribute to the fight against COVID-19 through the medium of cinema.”

The festival’s programming director, Shozo Ichiyama, presented the 15 films in the competition, including the film “When Pomegranates Howl,” directed by an Iranian filmmaker who portrayed a child who wanted to become an actor in  Afghanistan during the war.

Popular young actress Ai Hashimoto is the official ambassador of the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival, and she moderated a discussion with director Keisuke Yoshida, adding that her career took off thanks to the Tokyo Film Festival.

The festival’s opening film will be “Cry Macho,” starring actor Clint Eastwood.

In conclusion, festival chairman Hiroyasu Ando referred to the red carpet ceremony, saying that special arrangements would be made in consultation with specialists in the coming weeks to prevent the spread of any infection.