Film Screening at the JCCC: Vacation

Please note that this event is taking place at the JAPANESE CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE.
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2010 Monthly Film Screening Series

January’s Film: Hajime Kadoi’s Vacation (休暇)

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre launches its 2010 monthly film series with Hajime Kadoi’s powerful 2007 film Vacation (Kyuka). The film has been a festival favorite around the world, most recently winning the Special Jury Prizes at the Dubai International Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival in London .

In Japanese with English subtitles.



Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 7 pm.

Location: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre,

6 Garamond Court, Toronto.

For directions by car or public transit, please visit www.jccc.on.ca or call (416) 441-2345.

Admission: $8 ($6 for JCCC members).
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About Vacation: In Kyuka (休暇, Vacation), Kaoru Kobayashi plays Hirai, a middle-aged prison guard who becomes close to a Death Row prisoner and then volunteers to become his "crutch" (sonaeyaku) when the Justice Minister signs his execution order. A "crutch" is expected to hold on to the death row inmate when they make their final walk to the gallows and hang on to them until the trapdoor drops. In return for taking on such a stressful task, the person is usually given a weeklong vacation prior to the execution. Hirai then spends his week off work going through an omiai (arranged marriage) with single mother Mika, played by Nene Otsuka.

This film is based on a short story by Akira Yoshimura, the author of the novel that Shohei Imamura’s film The Eel was based on. This film deals with the darkness in the heart of the death row inmate who has been deprived of all hope, the anguish of the prison guards who are burdened with their appointed task of robbing the inmate’s future, and the feelings of profound sadness and love of the people in these men’s lives.

The portrayal of the days leading up to the execution and the new family’s modest first trip together highlights the happiness and family ties of each character in this story, creating a solid, moving drama about people who are forced to squarely face life and death.
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Upcoming screenings at JCCC

Thursday, February 25
Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers (亀は意外と速く泳ぐ)

Thursday, March 18
All Around Us (ぐるりのこと)

Thursday, April 22
Ichi (市)