A programme dedicated to contemporary Japanese cinema, bringing together three titles, 'We Are Aliens,' directed by Kohei Kadowaki, 'The Keeper of the Camphor Tree,' directed by Tomohiko Ito, and 'The Samurai and the Prisoner,' the latest film by filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, will be presented at the 22nd edition of the Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF), as part of the 'Focus Japan' programme.

From animation to historical cinema, the three productions offer different perspectives on contemporary Japanese cinema and bring to Bucharest both a new generation of filmmakers and one of the most important auteurs of contemporary Japanese film, the organisers said in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

'Focus Japan' is organised with the support of the Japan Foundation.

'We Are Aliens,' directed by Kohei Kadowaki, opens the 'Focus Japan' programme on 23 September at 8pm at Muzeul Taranului Roman (Museum of the Romanian Peasant) Cinema. The film is also included in the BIFF 2026 International Competition.

On 26 September, 'Focus Japan' continues at Muzeul Taranului Roman Cinema with two screenings showcasing two very different strands of Japanese cinema.

At 4pm, audiences will be able to see 'The Keeper of the Camphor Tree,' directed by Tomohiko Ito, an adaptation of the bestseller by renowned Japanese author Keigo Higashino.

That same evening, at 6.15pm, 'The Samurai and the Prisoner' (Kokurojo), the new film by one of the most important contemporary Japanese filmmakers, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, will be screened.

Presented in the Cannes Premiere - Official Selection section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the film marks Kurosawa's first foray into the world of chanbara, the Japanese samurai film genre.

This year's BIFF is organised by the Charta Foundation and the International Association for Culture, Economy and Business 'Grigore Vasiliu Birlic,' under the High Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Radu, thus continuing the more than two-decade history of the Bucharest International Film Festival.

The 22nd edition of the Bucharest International Film Festival - BIFF takes place from 18 to 27 September at Apollo111, Muzeul Taranului Roman Cinema and DeGalben - Sector 1 cultural hub.

The festival opens on 18 September at Apollo111 with the film 'Ultimul refugiu' / 'Redoubt (Varn),' directed by Swedish filmmaker John Skoog. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)

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