Program
◆ FOCUS ON ASIA TDF
Sign Language Time
Co-Directors: Su Qing and Mina
China, 2010/Chinese Sign Language, Chinese, Japanese CC, English CC, Simplified Chinese CC/87 min/International Premie
A Deaf documentary film created after “White Pagoda,” which screened at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. The film focuses on the viewpoint of a Deaf female dancer, Fang Fang, who learned dance when she was young. This film follows 20 million Deaf people who live in various cities and come from different generations. Through their vivid and lively sign language, this movie portrays the social and cultural background of the Deaf such as employment, education, crime, and marriage. Director Su, who has a Deaf sibling, and Director Mina, who has filmed Deaf Chinese people, project China into this movie.
June 1 (Sat) 15:30 pm
Greetings from the stage: Director Su Qing and actress Fang Fang
June 3 (Mon) 2:00 pm
Greetings from the stage: Director Su Qing and actress Fang Fang, with sign language narrator Satoshi Ezoe
Director
Su Qing
Actress
Fang Fang
Sign language narrator
(June 3）
Satoshi Ezoe
Hear Me
Director: Fen Fen Cheng
Chinese Taipei, 2009/Chinese Taipei Sign Language,Chinese, Japanese CC, English CC/109 min/unreleased in cinemas
CC provider : Osaka Asian Film Festival
Xiao Peng is a swimmer who aims to compete in the Deaflympics, an elite international competition for Deaf athletes and has a supportive younger sister, Yang Yang. Tian Kuo works at a lunch-box shop, and one day, he encounters the sisters. This romantic story is woven by the sisters and Tian Kuo. It is based on a true story the director watched on the news. It was an absolute hit in Taiwan and was screened in summer 2009, along with the Deaflympics held in Taipei. It won the Audience Award at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in 2010.
May 31 (Fri) 12:50 pm
June 2 (Sun) 5:00 pm
TOTA
Director: Aki Yahata
India & Japan, 2012/Japanese Sign Language, Japanese, Hindi, Japanese CC, English CC/52 min/Silent film (with partial sound)/Japan Premier
A blind Indian candle craftsman and a Deaf Japanese contemporary dancer encounter each other in India. The two have different nationalities and use different languages. In this extreme situation where they don’t share a common language along with visual or audio information, this road movie focuses on the two who gradually recognize each other’s existences. It brings up a question about the roots of communication from “their own language” that differs from Japanese Sign Language or Hindi and the world they have created. With cooperation from the Japan Foundation, it was screened at the Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Art) in India.
June 2 (Sun) 10:30 am
Greetings from the stage by actor Dakei.
This film will be shown with an audio guide.
Screening ”TOTA”, "The Silent Child" and "Whirlpool"
Actor
Dakei
The Happy Sunday
Director: Katsuzo Fukagawa
Japan, 1961/Japanese Sign Language, Japanese CC, English CC/70 min/Silent film/DVDs are unreleased
Under the blue sky, a man shows up late to a picnic with a bunch of Deaf people. He says he received an invitation ticket to a ballet performance, and decides to go and see it. His dialogue kicks off various conversations…
It is an omnibus film with four short stories that are debut movies of a genius director, Katsuzo Fukagawa, who also filmed “TAKIBI(Bon-fire)” and “Biography of Hiroshi Miura”. Over 100 minutes of footage has been remade into a 70-min omnibus consisting of several interweaving short films for this special screening.
May 31 (Fri) 10:30 am
A talk show given by actor Shoji Taka and filmmaker Nobuhiro Odate
Actor
Shoji Taka
Filmmaker
Nobuhiro Odate
◆ PANORAMA
Reverse Polarity
Director : Jules Dameron
USA, 2018/American Sign Language, English, Japanese CC, English CC/43 min/International Premier
Chase leaves his boyfriend and tries to find new love when he meets a mysterious matchmaker, Eight. Eight introduces the perfect man for Chase, but it’s not who he expected...
This unpredictable story is a must-see! DPAN.TV, a distributor of various video content for the Deaf, provides an LGBT romantic comedy for adults, compiling six episodes into one feature.
R-18 *This film cannot be viewed by persons under 18.
June 1 (Sat) 7:50 pm
Greetings from the stage by director Jules Dameron and actor Joshua Castille
![Jules Dameron[10628].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a62cf9_2bedce643f0e46959c35384abbbf87c4~mv2_d_3120_3783_s_4_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_3120,h_3110/fill/w_83,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Jules%20Dameron%5B10628%5D.jpg)
Director
Jules Dameron
![Joshua Castille[10627].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a62cf9_5797520db708456296895c3cce449f36~mv2_d_2400_3600_s_4_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_2400,h_2393/fill/w_83,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Joshua%20Castille%5B10627%5D.jpg)
Actor
Joshua Castille
Sound and Fury
Director: Josh Aronson
USA, 1999/American Sign Language. English, Japanese CC, English CC/79 min/No DVD release
With the development of the cochlear implant, the possibilities for a deaf person to recover their hearing has broadened. Should we let deaf children have implants, or should we accept them for who they are? This film is a documentary following 2 couples who are driven to make difficult choices. The film shows how they reached to each decision, with a clash of opinions and conflict within their minds.
*Screening both films, Sound and Fury & Sound and Fury: 6 Years Later
Sound and Fury: 6 Years Later
Director : Josh Aronson
USA, 2006/American Sign Language, English, Japanese CC, English CC/29 min/Japan Premier
A documentary which takes place 6 years later from the events of “Sound and Fury”,produced by receiving support from groups such as associations for cochlear implant users.
The daughter who received an implant at 9 years old interacts with hearing people smoothly, making living in hearing world easier. The daughter grows up using both lip-reading and her voice, but is caught between two worlds - the Deaf world her parents are a part of, and the hearing world. What are the possibilities created by cochlear implants? The film shows the reality of the Deaf world.
*Screening both films, Sound and Fury & Sound and Fury: 6 Years Later
June 3 (Mon) 10:30 am
Commentary by Jo Matsuzaki
(Associate Professor at
Miyagi University of Education)
Associate Professor
Jo Matsuzaki
Signing
Director: Nurith Aviv
France, 2017/Sign language from several countries, Hebrew, English, French, Japanese CC, English CC/60 min/International Premier
Sign Language is diverse, and each variant has its own grammar, syntaxes, with unique richness and complexity. The director challenges the uncharted territory of sign language. Three generations of protagonists, Deaf and hearing, and researchers from The Sign Language Research Laboratory at the Haifa University talk about sign language that has evolved in Israel since the previous century. The director continues discussing human beings’ mother tongues, translations, and intergenerational transmissions. It is an invitation for us to broaden our recognition of human languages.
June 2 (Sun) 3:30 pm
◆ CINEDEAF SELECT
The Voice of Victory
Co-Directors: Ilaria Galbusera and Antonino Guzzardi
Italy, 2016/Italian Sign Language, Italian, Japanese CC, English CC/67 min/International Premier
Sports give us hopes and dreams. Deaf and hard of hearing athletes involved in various sports tell us their experiences and struggles. “The Voice of Victory” is a documentary film that follows those six athletes’ lives. This film was selected by CINEDEAF.
June 1 (Sat) 6:10 pm
◆ Short Films Created by Deaf Directors
May 31 (Fri) 3:10 pm
Greetings from the stage by director Akito Imai and filmmaker Mika Imai
June 2 (Sun) 1:05 pm
*Both of 2 days screening all 4 films of Short Films Created by Deaf Directors.
*Greetings from the stage by director only May 31 (Fri)
Director/Filmmaker
Mika Imai
Director/Filmmaker
Akito Imai
To Know Him
Director: Ted Evans
UK, 2018/British Sign Language, English, Japanese CC, English CC/28 min/ Asia Premier
A tragic accident leaves Sarah grieving for her Deaf partner Rob. Mourning Sarah wants to lay the man she loves to rest, but a doctor contacts Rob’s estranged hearing father. This is a new human drama created by director Ted Evans, who is renowned for his film “THE END.” “To Know Him” won the Best British Short Film Award at the 21st British Independent Film Awards.
Signs of an Affair
Director: Louis Neethling
UK, 2017/British Sign Language, English, Japanese CC, English CC/28 min/Japan Premier
This film tells the story of Flora, who has been married to Fred for 21 years. One day, all of a sudden, he doesn’t want sugar in his tea – something’s not right! Flora is suspicious and determined to find out the truth, but ends up in some unexpected places. Following his previous film “Still Here,” this is also a hilarious black comedy.
The Sign Name Game
Director: Mika Imai
Japan, 2014/Japanese Sign Language, Japanese CC, English CC/13 min/Silent film
Deaf people in Japan play a traditional sign name game called the nickname game. One day, three Deaf students discover the haunted location of the “nickname game incident” on the Internet. They give in to their curiosity and set out to visit the spot... The film has won awards at various film festivals--- the Best Short Film Award at the 2nd Ireland International Deaf Film Festival in 2014 and the Screenplay Award at the 1st Shanghai International Deaf Film Festival in 2018.
Father
Director: Akito Imai
Japan, 2016/Japanese Sign Language, Japanese CC, English CC/20 min/Silent film
As the first performance is approaching, a son receives an email from a staff member at a daycare home. It says that recently his father has been eager to go out, and asks to take him somewhere, even if it’s just for one day. Since his father was diagnosed with dementia, the son has distanced himself from his father. The son reluctantly takes his father to a theater, but he happens to witness the unexpected behavior of his father. This film won the Best Award, Katsuzo Fukagawa and Mutsumi Award, and Special Award (voted by audiences) at the 13th Sagano Film Festival in 2016.
◆ Short Films Created by Hearing Directors
June 1 (Sat) 10:30 am :
Screening "INNER ME" , "Sign" , "Their Voices" and "Words of Caramel"
June 2 (Sun) 10:30 am :
Screening "Whirlpool", "The Silent Child" and "TOTA" ( Screening with audio guide )
June 3 (Mon) 4:40 pm :
Screening all 6 films of Short Films Created by Hearing Directors
INNER ME
Director: Antonio Spanò
Congo, 2016/ Congolese Sign Language, Swahili, Japanese CC, English CC/32 min /Japan Premier
The story of a little Deaf girl walking along the dusty roads, crowded markets and slaughterhouses, and three Deaf women with different destinies and purposes in life – the film shows their strong will to live and celebrates humanity. Nomination for the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival 2016.
Whirlpool
Co-Directors: Kate Baxter, Elizabeth Dixon
UK, 2017/English, Japanese CC, English CC/17 min/Asia Premier
Short film based on Helen Keller, the Deaf and Blind civil rights activist. Ridden by prejudice from the mass media, people in society and her family, she gives her answers to a reporter in an interview… An excellent film with stylish imagery and psychological suspense.
The Silent Child
Director: Chris Overton
UK, 2017/British Sign Language, English, Japanese CC/21 min
Living in the English countryside is a 4 year old deaf girl named Libby. Her middle class family seeks a temporary solution so their “broken” child can live in the real world. But by employing a social worker, it is revealed that the underlying problems aren’t caused by Libby. Awards include the 2018 Academy Award for Live Action Short Film among others.
Sign
Director: Andrew Keenan-Bolger
USA, 2016/American Sign Language/15 min/Unreleased in cinemas
Since seeing each other in the train, Aaron and Ben have been attracted to each other. Ben talks to Aaron, but he finds out that Aaron is Deaf, so he studies sign language as he becomes close with Aaron. This is an upbeat, young love story with moving, beautiful imagery. Awards include the Audience Award Narrative Short of NewFest within the LGBT Film Festival in New York, among others.
Their Voices
Director: Eri Mizutani
Poland, 2018/Polish Sign Language, Polish, Japanese CC, English CC/26 min/unreleased in cinemas
CC provider : Poland Film Festival
This is a short film made by Japanese director Eri Mizutani at a boarding school for the Deaf.
It follows the daily lives of children at the school over the course of one year.
Through the subtle expressions and actions of Deaf children, this film portrays simplicity and is truly a unique gem.
The film was screened at the 2018 Poland Film Festival.
Words of Caramel
Director: Juan Antonio Moreno
Spain, 2016/Japanese CC, English CC/21 min/Japan Premier
A deaf boy lives his life in a refugee camp in the Sahara Desert, without the opportunity to lean sign language. He starts learning letters to express the words of Caramel, his camel and best friend. This is an excellent film which shows the beauty of the world and intuitive experiences through the boy’s eyes.
◆ Special Screening
Kyoukaishi (The Chaplain)
Director: Dai Sako
Japan, 2018/Japanese, Japanese CC /114 min/released with Japanese CC for the first time
Tamotsu Saeki is a Protestant clergyman. He takes trips twice a month to a prison to counsel six eccentric inmates awaiting execution. Although Saeki does his best to comfort the death row inmates, he isn’t really sure if his words are reaching through to them. The struggling chaplain starts to question his own life as well.
The story of intense “life” captured from the side of “death,”“Kyoukaishi(The Chaplain)” is the last work starring Ren Osugi, and his debut as a producer.
June 2 (Sat) 7:20 pm
◆ Nominations, Film Submission category
Here are 11 nominations selected out of 38 film submissions from 15 different countries and regions!
Every audience will vote for the People’s Choice Award nominations and the nomination with the most votes will be declared the winner of the category!
Category A
May 31 (Fri) 5:45 pm
Guest speakers
“Mitarashi” Koa Senami (Director), Nanaho Otsuka (Cast member) and Sakura Seto (Cast member)
“FAKING A LIVING”: Joël Chalude (Co-director/ Cast member)
June 2 (Sun) 5:50 pm
Satellite Venue: UPLINK Shibuya
Category B
June 1 (Sat) 12:35 pm
Guest speakers
“The Gingerbread Witch”: Paul Miller (Director)
June 2 (Sun) 8:15 pm
Satellite Venue: UPLINK Shibuya
Silent Version Of Water Scene
Director: Qiao Sheng Xiang
China, 2018/ Chinese Sign Language, Japanese CC, English CC,Simplified Chinese CC/12 min/Silent film/International Premier
No conductor, no music. Deaf women and men dance on a silent beach. They release themselves from the shackles of sound as they explore life through dance.
Category A
Crushed
Director: Jay Kowalczyk
USA, 2016/American Sign Language, Japanese CC, EnglishCC/5min/International Premier
A couple out on a getaway accidentally crushes a rare and precious species in a small town.
FAKING A LIVING
Co-Directors: Joël CHALUDE and Jean-Marie HALLEGOT
France, 2018/ French Sign Language, Japanese CC, English CC/43 min/International Premier
An elderly couple has just moved into a low-cost flat. The husband must go to work, but he is disturbed by his new environment and by an unfortunate succession of domestic incidents…
MATHER
Director: Chase Burton
USA, 2017/American Sign Language, Japanese CC, English CC/23 min/International Premier
A lone wanderer on a dry planet discovers a mysterious box of seeds. Confronted by the power of the seeds, he faces the ultimate choice between creation and destruction.
Young Chinese - Deaf Girl Monologue
Director: Sybil Liang
China, 2018/ Chinese Sign Language, Chinese, Japanese CC, English CC/15 min/International Premier
Starting with “The Vagina Monologues" in sign language, this film describes the world of women with hearing impairments in China.
The Strength Within You - Be-YOU-tiful
Director: Trudy Sargent
USA, 2017/4 min/ International Premier
A girl who spends most of her time alone is in a café, when the most beautiful couple from her school happens to enter…
Mitarashi
Director: Kao Senami
Japan, 2018/Japanese, Japanese CC, English CC/23 min
A female university student meets Sumire, who is deaf. The two form a bond as they discover their differences and similarities.
Category B
DRIVER
Director: Antonio Cannata
Italy, 2018/Italian Sign Language, Italian, Japanese CC, English CC/21 min/International Premier
Tom is a road driver. One day, a man asks him to be a driver, offering compensation.
Deafening Darkness
Director: Mark Trifunovic
Canada, 2017/American Sign Language, English, Japanese CC, English CC/20 min/Japan Premier
A Deaf woman and man attend a workshop. One day, the man suddenly goes missing. The woman searches for him, and opens a black door which has piqued her interest for some time.
The Gingerbread Witch
Director: Paul Miller
UK, 2018/10 min/Japan Premier
The film is about twins Anders (deaf) and Aurora (hearing), who share a close bond. The children in their village have been disappearing for many generations. One day, the twins happen to meet a witch.
Hedy and Heidi : The Lost Sister
Director: Jason Roberts
USA, 2017/American Sign Language, English, Japanese CC, English CC/74 min/Asian Premier
Hedy and Heidi were separated when they were both young. Heidi, now all grown up, goes on a grand adventure to see her sister Heidi.