During the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Japan captivated audiences with a rich program blending film premieres, cultural events, and artistic tributes, highlighting its enduring influence on global cinema and culture.
The festival featured several notable Japanese films, including A Pale View of Hills by Kei Ishikawa. Adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, the film explores themes of memory and identity through the lens of post-war Japan and 1980s England. Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section, it was praised for its poignant storytelling and compelling performances by Suzu Hirose and Yoh Yoshida.
Adding a thrilling touch to the lineup, Genki Kawamura’s Exit 8 premiered in the Midnight Screenings section. This psychological horror, based on a popular adventure game, follows a man trapped in an endless subway corridor, delivering suspense and atmospheric tension. The film stars Kazunari Ninomiya and is slated for theatrical release in Japan later this year.
Cannes also paid homage to Japanese animation with a screening of the cult classic Angel’s Egg by Mamoru Oshii. Presented in the Cinéma de la Plage section, the film offered festival-goers a rare opportunity to experience its haunting, surreal visuals on the big screen.
Beyond screenings, the cultural celebration continued with Japan Night at the historic Hotel Martinez. This event combined film promotion with immersive experiences showcasing Japanese music, cuisine, and innovative projection mapping, fostering cultural exchange between Japanese artists and the international film community.
The festival also honored animation master Hayao Miyazaki, featuring retrospectives of his iconic films, further cementing Japan’s legacy in the art of storytelling.
Local organizations, like the Association France-Japon de Cannes, played a vital role by hosting workshops, exhibitions, and performances throughout the festival, enriching Cannes with Japanese culture’s depth and diversity.