Results of 11th VDP (VDP2023) Selection

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who expressed great interest in our project. After deliberation by an international committee, we have decided upon the following four works as this year’s selected films. 
Please click on the images to jump to the introductory pages of each film.

Overall Evaluation by the Selection Committee

In both cinema and theatre, it is said that creating comedy is more difficult than creating tragedy. The latter is universal, but comedy varies greatly depending on region, age, gender, and many other factors, with no standard or classic form. Humour is an extremely challenging art. So, when I heard that this year’s VDP theme was “laugh” I honestly thought it would be a challenge. And due to this, there were few works that were “laugh-out-loud” funny despite the theme. Instead, those that left an impression focused on people creating humour out of situations that are not inherently funny. This kind of approach risks falling into merely chasing after “famous” directors and reverently listening to “thankful” comments as if they were sacred texts. However, the works that received the highest praise were those where directors fully expressed their messages. The key question here is whether those shooting have a clear perspective of their own and are genuinely engaging with their subjects.
In a world where there are many situations that are far from laughable, these documentaries showed the importance of “laughter” even more of a poignant point to consider.

by Kenji Ishizaka
(Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Film Studies, Japan Academy of Moving Images, Senior Programmer, Tokyo International Film Festival)

VDP2023 Screening Event

The screening event will be held at CSEAS, Kyoto University on December 16, 2023. The directors of the selected films, researchers well-versed in each region, and members of the screening committee will gather to discuss on the films and this year’s theme together for deeper understandings. All are welcome to attend!!

Date and Time:　
Dec.16, 2023 (Saturday)　13:30〜18:00
Venue:　
Large Meeting Hall, 3rd Floor, Inamori Foundastion Building,
Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University (👉Map)
Language: English and Japanese Subtitles (Interpretation included)
Fee: Free (No reservation required, free of charge)

Program:
　13:00　doors open
　13:30　Award Ceremony 
　13:50　Screening 
　13:50　Against This Messy World 
　14:30　Saya di Sini, Kau di Sana (a Tale of the Crocodile’s Twin)
    Break
　15:05　The Songs We Sing in a Different Land
　15:45　No Laughing Matter
 　Break
　16:35　General Evaluation and Talk Session
　17:30　Closing Remark
　17:40　Free Networking
　18:00　doors close

International Selection Committee Members
Yoko Hayami (Professor, CSEAS, Kyoto University)
Hiroyuki Yamamoto (Associate Professor, CSEAS, Kyoto University)
Kenji Ishizaka (Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Film Studies, Japan Academy of Moving Images, Senior Programmer, Tokyo International Film Festival)
Makiko Wakai (Program Coordinator, New Asian Currents, Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival)
Edward de los Santos Cabagnot (Film Editor, Festival Programmer, Writer, Artist)
Sein Lyan Tun (Filmmaker, Producer)

General Comments
Kenji Ishizaka (Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Film Studies, Japan Academy of Moving Images, Senior Programmer, Tokyo International Film Festival)

Commentators
Hiroyuki Yamamoto (CSEAS, Kyoto University)
Yoshimi Nishi (CSEAS, Kyoto University)
Itaru Nagasaka（Hiroshima University)
KeikoTosa (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)

Organizer: CSEAS, Kyoto University
Contact:　VDP Secretariat　
vdp[@]cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp