See you at the Far East Film Festival 17 in Udine
FEFF, now on its 17th year, is the largest showcase of Asian pop cinema in Europe. Film festivals tend to be hectic and impersonal—endless jockeying for tickets and interviews, watching ponderous movies until you end up in a waking coma—but FEFF is fun. The focus is on popular entertainment, the spectators are unabashed movie fans, and the atmosphere is convivial. You can actually hang out with the filmmakers without having to beat your head against a solid wall of press agents and suits.
This year the festival opens with a concert by Joe Hisaishi, composer of the music for Hadao Miyazaki’s films including Nausicaa, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo and The Wind Rises. Finally we’re getting our hands on those soundtracks!
Udine is a charming city in northeastern Italy which dates back to the medieval ages—festival banquets are held in the ancient castle. The food is fantastic. And the Friulian wines! If you need to decompress after watcing ten movies straight, walk around the city or hop a train to Trieste or Venice, just an hour away.