Ozu through his private diaries, an animated afterlife, love between two zones where time doesn't flow equally and a boy who does evil for the sake of it: on Thursday 30 April at the Teatro Nuovo in Udine and at the Visionario, FEFF 28 doesn't hold back.
With
The Ozu Diaries,
Another World,
Measure in Love,
Unchained,
Number One and
All Greens.
On Thursday the 30th of April at the Visionario in Udine, FEFF 28 pays tribute to one of the greatest geniuses of world cinema: Yasujirō Ozu, a name that will have every film buff standing to attention. American expert Daniel Raim spent seven years making
The Ozu Diaries about this Japanese cinematic genius whose films are almost perfection incarnate, and his documentary delves into the master's biography and artistic thought, drawing on Ozu's private diaries, his wartime notebooks, letters, interviews, photographs and rare home movies. The documentary is also interwoven with reflections from figures such as Kagawa Kyoko, Wim Wenders, Kurosawa Kiyoshi, Tsai Ming-liang and Luc Dardenne.
The Ozu Diaries will be screening at the Visionario at
14.00, after which at
16.30 it's time for the
world premiere of the restored version of Taiwanese melodrama
Love Never Ceases (Shao Lo-hui, 1962), a film which is important also because of the visual testimony it provides of lost urban spaces in Taipei which have now disappeared or been profoundly transformed. Following this, at
18.25 the Visionario will be hosting a repeat screening of Nishikawa Miwa's
Under the Open Sky (Japan 2020), which opened the Yakusho Koji retrospective on Friday the 24th of April. The great actor plays a former yakuza who has served 13 years for murder and is trying to find work, as well as reunite with his mother, from whom he was separated as a child.
Animation also returns to the big screen at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine theatre this morning with Hong Kong's
Another World (
9:00, Italian premiere), a journey into a surreal afterlife. And also from Hong Kong comes a co-production with Taiwan: Kung Siu-ping's
Measure in Love (
16.35, European premiere), which sets a love story in a science fiction framework: it takes place in a world divided into two zones where time and gravity function differently, and one day in the prosperous Aurore Zone is equivalent to a year in the Evergreen Zone. Korea's
Number One (
19.15, international premiere) also begins with a surreal premise: what would you do if every time you ate a meal your mother had made you saw a number floating in the air—and with each meal, that number decreased by one?
In
Unchained (
14.30, world premiere), Japanese director Yoshida Keisuke presents us with the enigma of a teen who does evil for evil's sake. Is it possible to save him? And how? On a more cheerful note, Koyama Takashi's cheeky coming-of-age piece
All Greens (
21.20, European premiere) features teenagers trying to escape the dullness of their town... by growing and selling marijuana.
PROGRAMME
9.00
ANOTHER WORLD
directed by Tommy Ng
(Hong Kong, 2025)
Animation. In the afterlife, Gudo is a guide to souls, and must prevent the anger they still carry from turning them (literally!) into monsters.
11:05
ONCE WE WERE US
directed by Kim Do-young
(South Korea, 2025)
Ten years ago, the friendship between Jeong-won and Eun-ho turned into love – but then the two separated. Now chance brings them together again...
14.00 – VISIONARIO
THE OZU DIARIES
directed by Daniel Raim
(USA, 2025)
A must-see documentary for all fans of Yasujirō Ozu, packed with insights into the great Japanese director's life and work.
14.30
UNCHAINED
directed by Yoshida Keisuke
(Japan, 2026)
“I like hurting people,” declares teenager Kaito. A desperate teacher turns to Nishi, who runs a rehabilitation centre. And who also has a violent past.
16.30 – VISIONARIO
LOVE NEVER CEASES
directed by Shao Lo-hui
(Taiwan, 1962/2K restoration 2026)
A highly successful romantic musical featuring the hits of Hong Yi-feng, the iconic "King of Taiwanese Songs" whose music is still a beloved part of Taiwanese tradition.
16.35
MEASURE IN LOVE
directed by Kung Siu-ping
(Hong Kong/Taiwan, 2025)
A world divided into two zones, where time flows differently. A day in the prosperous Aurore Zone equals one year in the Evergreen Zone.
18.25 – VISIONARIO
UNDER THE OPEN SKY
directed by Nishikawa Miwa
(Japan, 2020)
Repeat screening of the film from Friday the 24th, starring Yakusho Koji as an ex-convict looking for a new place in the world.
19.15
NUMBER ONE
directed by Kim Tae-yong
(South Korea, 2026)
A number floats in the air, decreasing every time Ha-min eats a meal his mother has made. And when the number reaches zero, his mother will die.
21.20
ALL GREENS
directed by Koyama Takashi
(Japan, 2026)
A coming-of-age story about a trio of teenage girls who want to escape their family situations – and decide to grow marijuana.
23.40
UNIDENTIFIED MURDER
directed by Kwok Ka-hei, Jack Lee
(Hong Kong, 2026)
25 years ago in Hong Kong, a child was abducted by aliens. At least, that's what the two children who were with him say. But what happens when he suddenly reappears?
FEFF MEETINGS / FEFF TALKS – Sala Fantoni, Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine theatre
10:30 – 11:15
Hong Kong
Mabel CHEUNG, director and producer, FEFF28 jury member
Patrick LEUNG, director,
Ciao UFO
Coordinamento/Moderators: Tim YOUNGS, Kevin MA
11:20 – 12:10
Japanese New Cinema
Anshul CHAUHAN, director,
Tiger
Vinod VIJAYASANKARAN, director of photography,
Tiger
Tyler MCBETH, composer,
Tiger
Mora MOTH, composer,
Tiger
NAKAGAWA Shun, director,
90 Meters
TAGUCHI Yusuke, producer,
90 Meters
UTAGAWA Yasushi, producer,
90 Meters
OKA Hitomi, co-producer,
90 Meters
Coordinamento/Moderator: Mark SCHILLING
12:15 – 13:00
China – Debut Films
YAN Kunao, director and actor,
Jet Lag in Summer
LI Qiu-yi, production and costume designer,
Jet Lag in Summer
YUAN Yiran, executive producer,
Jet Lag in Summer
Coordinamento/Moderators: Maria BARBIERI, Maria RUGGIERI
BAMBÙ
9:00 – Press Review
17:45 – Reporting on Asia; Changing Perspectives, From Reportage to the Present Day
Siegmund Ginzberg – journalist
Ilaria Maria Sala – journalist and writer (participating remotely)
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
15:00 – 18:00 | Piazza Giacomo Matteotti / Loggia del Lionello
Far East Games: Games from the Far East
An entire afternoon of open-air games with an Asian twist: themed D&D, collectible cards, Asian chess, Go, Gomoku, Kendama, Tangram and Carrom thanks to the Ludobus. Free admission.
16:30 – 18:00 | Dai Fioi, Largo dei Pecile 2
Masterclass: Vermouth Harmonies
By Lorenzo Burrone. Udine Cocktail Week: a sensory journey through Carpano Vermouth and Carpano Antica Formula, between oriental botanicals and Italian tradition. Max 15 people | €8 | Booking:
feff.eventbrite.it
18:30 – 20:00 | Fondazione Friuli
MasterFEFF #3: Stefano Basello vs. Sun Young Koo
Third and final round of the festival's gastronomic challenge: the extreme foraging chef versus the Korean chef and gastro-diplomat. And once again, the audience is the judge. Hosted by Annalisa Sandri. Max 41 people | €20 | Booking:
feff.eventbrite.it
18:30 – 20:00 | Fondazione Friuli
Meeting with a Zen Master: the Power of a Voice in Dharma
By Hishiryo – Gruppo Zen Udine, with Anna Maria Iten Shinnyo Marradi, Abbot of the Shinnyoji Temple in Florence. Introduction to
zazen practice. Max 35 people | €8 | Booking:
feff.eventbrite.it
22:00 – 01:00 | Casa della Contadinanza, Piazzale della Patria del Friuli 2
Pink Night: The Party
Co-curated by Barbara Stimoli, with Rafał Pierzyński (DIVAS/V/blask), Xinyi, and Triptamica. FEFF's transfeminist night explores eros and bodies with performances and a DJ set. A safer space with MisMàs. €15 | Booking: Visionario, Teatro Nuovo bookshop,
events.fareastfilm.com