The Japan Foundation Asia Center will present Southeast Asian Films featuring a rich variety of musical genres, including a rock opera from the Philippines, popular Isan band music from Thailand and Cambodian pop songs, reflecting historical and present-day Southeast Asia at the fifth edition of "CROSSCUT ASIA", the Asian film showcase series, entitled "Soundtrip to Southeast Asia" at the 31th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).

CROSSCUT ASIA series was jointly launched by the Asia Center and the TIFF in 2014 to showcase Asian films with a focus on specific countries, directors, or themes. Following the first three editions, which featured works from Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the fourth edition encompassed a larger area of Southeast Asia, with works from young filmmakers in Southeast Asia recommended by maestros such as Brillante Ma Mendoza (Philippines), Tran Anh Hung (Vietnam) and Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand).

This year, CROSSCUT ASIA will showcase films featuring a rich variety of musical genres. One eye-opener in the lineup, Season of the Devil, is the latest film from Filipino auteur Lav Diaz. His subsequent films received much critical attention and many awards from leading festivals, making him one of Southeast Asia's most notable directors. From What Is Before earned him the Golden Leopard at Locarno in 2014, A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery took the Silver Bear at Berlin and The Woman Who Left won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2016. Season of the Devil features a cappella songs that resonate against the black-and-white cinematography. This year's CROSSCUT ASIA will take the audience on a memorable "sound-trip" across regions and time.

Outline of the 31th Tokyo International Film Festival