Nippon Connection FestivalApril 15-19, 2009, Frankfurt am MainFrom April 15 to 19, the biggest festival for Japanese film worldwide, Nippon Connection in Frankfurt, will be showing for the ninth time young and creative cinema from Japan. Nippon Connection presents more than 150 short and long films, ranging from avantgarde to blockbusters, with many German, European or international premieres. More than 25 film makers from Japan will personally present their works to the audience. The festival w...

When a German film has its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, it can be both a source of local pride or a target for local critics. One of the truisms on the international film festival circuit is that oftentimes local filmmakers are appreciated more outside of their home country.....and in their native land, are sometimes the brunt of criticism that is both pointed and relentless. So far, the film CHERRY BLOSSOMS, one of two German productions competing for the Golden Bear at this year...