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‹NEVER ENDING SUFFERING›
FANTOCHE ON TOUR: ‹WHAT’S GOING ON, JAPAN?› Although scarce, some animations were made in response to ‹3/11›. The term ‹3/11›, in reference to ‹9/11›, generally refers to the triple disaster – earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident in the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. Anger and criticism can, of course, be felt in the works that deal with this dramatic collective experience, especially regarding the nuclear disaster for which humans must bear the responsibility, not nature. At the same time, many films are characterised by a deep silence whose interpretation is left to the individual viewer. This silence might express resignation in light of an utterly helpless political class, respect for the elemental forces of nature or a Buddhist mind-set. Buddhism, which has a deep impact on how the Japanese think and feel, is based on the principle that life means suffering. To mark the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland, Fantoche, the renowned animation film festival, has compiled a selection of films on Japan which will be screened in various Swiss cities during the CULTURESCAPES festival. Curator Nobuaki Doi is a leading expert for Japanese animation films. The programme blocks with short films provide Doi with the opportunity to draw attention to current social and political developments in Japan. Japan’s transformation has also left its mark on animation films. Original versions are screened; Japanese dialogue and voice-over have English subtitles. ‹Never Ending Suffering› (66') |
