Press Releases
Children’s Day Japanese Festival
March 29, 2010
Laramie, Wyoming-The Japan-America Society of Wyoming (JASWY) will celebrate Children’s Day on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at the Albany County Public Library (310 S. 8th Street Laramie, WY), Large Meeting Room, from 2:00 PM to 3:30PM.
Children’s Day is a national holiday in Japan which takes place annually on May 5, at which time many communities throughout Japan hold events to celebrate children. The purpose of this holiday is to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their healthy growth and happiness.
The JASWY Children’s Day is the third year that JASWY has partnered with the Library to sponsor the event. The Children’s Day celebration will include the following activities led by local volunteers: reading of Japanese folk tales, learning fun Japanese songs in Japanese and English, Crafting (paper folding of a Kabuto (helmet)), creating carp streamers) and tasting Japanese foods (cookies , rice crackers and nori, etc). Children under age 12 are encouraged to attend. The event is free.
As part of this event, JASWY will be displaying some Japanese items in the display case at the Albany County Public Library from April 18 until 24.
This event is co-sponsored by the Albany County Public Library.
Contact information : jaswy @hotmail.com www.jaswy.org
Fourth Annual Japanese Film Festival
February 8, 2010
Laramie, Wyoming— The Japan-America Society of Wyoming (JASWY) will hold its fourth Japanese Film Festival at LCCC (Laramie County Community College) in Cheyenne on Feb.20 and at UW (University of Wyoming) in Laramie, WY on Feb.27.
On Feb.20, “The Blue Bird” will be shown at 2:00 PM and “Departures” at 4:00 PM in the Science Center Room 121 of LCCC in Cheyenne.
On Feb. 27, “The Blue Bird” will be shown at 2:00 PM and “Departures” at 7:00 PM in Classroom Building Room 129 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Doors will open 20 minutes before show time at both campuses.
This
year’s Japanese Film Festival will feature two contemporary movies which
present typical issues in Japanese society. These Japanese films will not only
entertain but will also promote understanding of modern and traditional
Japanese life. The films will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles.
Admission is free. First
come, first served...seats are limited.
“I previewed both of these films and
thought each one was terrific,” said Janice Harris, a member of the JASWY
board. “’The Blue Bird’ steps up to the difficult problem of bullying – of
anyone, anywhere -- and offers a moving, positive, unforgettable response.
Hiroshi Abe, who is superb as the main character, embodies Gandhi’s insight:
be the change you want to see in the world. As for ‘Departures,’ it is simply
stunning. I laughed and cried. No wonder it earned an Oscar. What’s it
about? Living, eating, loving, dying, and music. It expands your mind and
heart.”
"The Japanese Film Festival has brought some fine films to Wyoming over the last few years, and it's also given us an entertaining look at life in a country about which most of us know far too little. It's great to be welcoming this event back on campus for another year," said Dr. Philip Holt, Chairman of the Dept. of Modern & Classical Languages.
“Departures” was a big box office hit in Japan, won 10 Japanese Academy
Awards, and was also the Winner of the 2009 academy award for Best Foreign
Language Film,” added Ken Matsuno, President of JASWY.
“The Blue Bird” is a timely film which deals
with school bullying in Japan in a unique and emotionally touching way,”Matsuno also said. “These are excellent, heart-warming, high
quality films that are not widely available in the U.S. They should be a real
treat for Wyoming audiences of all ages.”
The movie schedule is as follows.
On February 20 (Sat) at LCCC in Cheyenne
The Blue Bird
:
2:00 PM
(2008, 105 minutes, G,
Drama)
The Blue Bird is set at a Japanese junior high school in the aftermath of a bullying tragedy. Popular actor Abe Hiroshi is an unlikely hero as a stuttering teacher, who tackles the problem in a unique Japanese way.
Departures: 4:00 PM
(2008, 130 minutes, PG-13, Drama)
Academy Award® winner for Best Foreign Language Film, DEPARTURES is a delightful journey into the heartland of Japan as well an astonishingly beautiful look at a sacred part of Japan's cultural heritage.
“Departures” follows Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job. Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife to look for work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled “Departures” thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a "Nokanshi" or "encoffineer," a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life.
While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of “Nokanshi,” acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with death as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living.
On February 27 (Sat) at UW in
Laramie
The Blue Bird:
2:00 PM
(2008, 105 minutes, G,
Drama)
[see synopsis above.]
Departures: 7:00 PM
(2008, 130 minutes, PG-13, Drama)
[see
synopsis above.]
The Japanese Film Festival is co-sponsored by the Modern & Classical Languages
Dept., English Dept., Honors Program, and History Dept. of UW as well as UW
RSO Wyoming Honors Organization in Laramie, Anime Club of LCCC in Cheyenne,
Consulate General of Japan at Denver, and Japan Foundation in Los Angeles.
JASWY was founded by Laramie residents in December 2005. JASWY is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization whose mission is “to promote understanding and friendship between the people of Wyoming and Japan through cultural, social, educational and professional interaction.” For more information about JASWY and the Film Festival, visit www.jaswy.org
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Contact Information: |
Event Information: |
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Ken Matsuno |
Japanese Film Festival |
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JASWY President |
2:00 PM and 4:00PM, Feb.20 at LCCC in
Cheyenne
Science Center Bldg
room121 of LCCC in Cheyenne |
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307-721-5984 |
Classroom Building Room 129 at the University of Wyoming Click here for a map for UW campus. |
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jaswy@hotmail.com |
Free Admission, open seating, Free popcorn |
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