Framing Japan – Visions of Contemporary Documentary Practice, curated by Ren Scateni, was a project that aimed at presenting a different vision of Japan, by showcasing diverse approaches to the documentary practice in Japan encompassing both different periods in the country’s recent history and heterogeneous issues, from investigations of personal spaces to queer representation and environmental problems affecting the population.

The series was part of #BFIJapan 2021: Over 100 years of Japanese Cinema, a UK-wide film season supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network – bfijapan.co.uk

Framing Japan is also funded by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Films included:

- Extreme Private Eros Love Song 1974 (1974 | 98 min), Hara Kazuo

- Thus a Noise Speaks (2012 | 38 min), Oda Kaori

- Cenote (2019 | 75 min), Oda Kaori

- Mental (2008 | 135 min), Soda Kazuhiro

- Zero (2020 | 128), Soda Kazuhiro

a programme of documentaries online curated by Amaya Bañuelos Marco and Federica Pugliese, exploring the significance of community.

At a time where social distancing has imposed huge changes to our social habits, this programme explored different aspects of the importance of finding yourself being part of a community. Born at the intersection between someone’s needs and someone else’s willingness to help, the communities depicted in these films are extraordinary examples of people’s desire to support each other and be connected, and show us how in these gatherings one can find friendship, support, and a sense of belonging.

Love Your Local was part of Film FeelsConnected, a UK-wide cinema season, supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network. Explore all films and events at filmfeels.co.uk

Love Your Local was also supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, and funded by Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding from the BFI.

Films included:

-LLEVATE MIS AMORES / Arturo González Villaseñor / Mexico / 2014 / 90’

-LAST OF THE MOHICANS / Max Ploeg / Netherlands / 2019 / 48’

-CENTRAL AIRPORT THF / Karim Aïnouz / Germany / 2018 / 100’

-DAGUERREOTYPES / Agnés Varda / France / 1976 / 80’

IN THE LIGHT, directed by Susan Kemp

Sometimes you need to look squint at history to see the women in it — they so often have not been documented, recorded, or commemorated. Today, there are still huge disparities in gender equality, equal pay being a prime example. This massive issue is explored through the lens of the story of the Edinburgh Seven (the first women to study medicine in Britain, but who were prevented from graduating) and a recent day project fighting for their recognition. It is a production that features predominantly women, and in doing so the film does what it’s making clear is so often neglected — documenting and commemorating women well worth remembering.

The screening was followed by a live Q&A with filmmaker Susan Kemp and curator Alison Lacey.

This film programme was curated by Alison Lacey

Cinetopia:DOC was proud to present the Edinburgh premiere of Kazuhiro Soda’s INLAND SEA (Minatomachi, 2018), screened as part of Edinburgh Scalarama! Deemed as one of the masters of contemporary documentary filmmaking, Soda’s method and style follow a strict set of self-established commandments, resulting in a unified style of documentaries that provide an unprecedented access to the subjects and take the viewers on an emotional exploration to the Japanese psyche, culture and landscape.

Soda’s style is strictly observational, keeping the camera rolling and letting the subjects slowly open up to the audiences. The concurring characters in his documentaries are cats, but the focus of his films lays on the intimate and humane portraits of the characters he is following. Soda’s films form intimate bonds between the subjects and the viewer, unearthing incredible stories and capturing highly emotional moments on camera.

Inland Sea (2018) looks at a dying fishing village in rural Japan, and follows its townsfolk through their daily routines, discovering not only the stories of the people but also displaying the slowly disappearing culture and community of the town.

This programme was curated by Ren Scateni

Cinetopia: DOC showcased this stunning tribute to legendary musician and film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto with Stephen Nomura Schible’s Ryuichi Sakamoto: CODA!

Alongside his work with the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Sakamoto’s film scores include those for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, The Last Emperor, and The Revenant.

Book your ticket here, and join us at the Edinburgh Film Guild on 8th July at 7pm for another round of documentary and discussion!

This film programme was curated by Andy Danet.

For our second Cinetopia:Doc screening, we showed the new documentary Dead Good from Brighton filmmaker, Rehana Rose.

It is an intimate portrait of those dealing with their dead in modern Britain, supported by a team of women who are ‘giving death back to the people’ and enabling participation during the ritual of care.

“Rose’s patient, observational style lets her get right to the heart of these very personal matters. In doing so, she creates a safe space for viewers to explore issues they might previously have avoided.” – Jenni Kermode

We will be joined by the filmmaker, Rehana Rose for a post-screening Q&A. Rose has made several independent short films before embarking on Dead Good, her first feature documentary. The film will be screened at the beginning of Good Death Week. From May 13-19, people across Scotland will work to promote more open and supportive attitudes to death, dying and bereavement.

This film programme was curated by Alison Lacey and Ally Lantz

Cinetopia: DOC screened of Agnes Varda’s Visages Villages (Faces Places) on Monday 8th of April 2019 in the Edinburgh Film Guild Cinema as its first DOC screening.

When planning Cinetopia’s new documentary strand, we thought what better way to start than with one of our personal favourites from one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Agnès Varda. Sadly, recently we were struck with the news of her passing. Yet, we still believe there is no better way to spend an evening than in the radiant presence of Varda, immersing oneself in her vision, admiring her artistry and honouring her legacy, and we would love to have you join us for a screening and a discussion of all things Agnès.

We screened one of our favourites, the academy award nominated Faces Places (Visages Villages), directed by Varda in collaboration with the visual artist JR. Faces Places is a heart-warming journey through rural France, documenting its people, its stories and the friendships and memories made along the way.

We were joined by Francois Giraud from the University of Edinburgh, an expert in French post-New Wave Cinema and the influence of other arts in Varda’s filmmaking. In true Cinetopia fashion, the screening will feature an introduction to Varda’s work and a lively discussion after the screening.

This programme was curated by Cinetopia co-Founders, Amanda Rogers and Anni Asikainen.