The Japan Foundation Asia Center will present CROSSCUT ASIA, the Asian film showcase series during the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), which will be held from Monday, October 28 through Tuesday, November 5. The sixth edition of CROSSCUT ASIA will focus on Southeast Asian genre films, from thrillers to romantic horrors reflecting regional characteristics in the region entitled Fantastic Southeast Asia.

CROSSCUT ASIA series was jointly launched by the Asia Center and the TIFF in 2014. The series showcases diverse Asian films, from masterpieces to popular entertainment, 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 and fifth editions encompassed a larger area of Southeast Asia, with works from young filmmakers in the region recommended by maestros, as well as with films highlighting the rich variety of musical genres.

The series will showcase a lineup of genre films, from thrillers by international film festival favorites like Lav Diaz's first-ever sci-fi, The Halt (2019); to supernatural tales encompassing legends from across the region, such as the horror-fantasy-action film Sisters (2019) by Prachya Pinkaew, director of Chocolate (2008). It will also feature an episode of the Eric Khoo-produced HBO Asia horror series, Folklore: Tatami (2018) directed by Japanese actor Takumi Saitoh. This year's CROSSCUT ASIA will allow the audience to discover unexpected wonders from across the region.

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CROSSCUT ASIA #06 Lineup

Sisters

Dir. Prachya PINKAEW
2019/Thailand/105min
The story of two sisters buffeted by destiny: the elder must become a monster hunter to protect her weak younger sister from their attacks.

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The Halt

Dir. Lav Diaz
2019/The Philippines/276min
As a result of volcanic eruptions in 2031, Southeast Asia has been in the dark. Madmen and epidemics ravage the continent and millions have died. Screened at Directors' Fortnight at Cannes Film Festival.

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Folklore: Tatami

Dir. Takumi Saitoh
2018/Singapore, Japan/50min
A murder-scene journalist (Kazuki Kitamura) attends his father's funeral and discovers a horrifying family secret. An episode from the horror anthology produced by Eric Khoo.

Outline of the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival