Special Screening
Special Film Screening of “Love and the Grand Tug-of-war: Relishing Japan’s Local Wonders in Film”
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The Japan Foundation, Bangkok, in cooperation with Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) via Thailand Creative & Design Center Khon Kaen (TCDC Khon Kaen), are pleased to co-organize the special screening of “Love and the Grand Tug-of-war: Relishing Japan’s Local Wonders in Film” at Isan Creative Festival 2025 under the theme of “Isan Soul Proud” on Sunday 6th July during 13:00 – 15:00 at KHONTEMPORARY – KHONKAEN, Khon Kaen Province.
“Love and the Grand Tug-of-war” directed by SASABE Kiyoshi, tells the story of family bonds, friendship, and the human relationships revolving around the Sendai Grand Tug of War—a spectacular traditional event held in Satsumasendai City, Japan for over four centuries. Through this unique cultural lens, the film offers a vibrant portrayal of community spirit and the enduring significance of local heritage. With its emphasis on regional pride and intergenerational storytelling, offering valuable reflections on how local customs and communal events shape cultural identity. Audiences will find parallels between the Japanese celebration of heritage and Isan’s own traditions of unity, resilience, and festivity.
This screening is part of the JFF Theater, an initiative by The Japan Foundation that delivers a curated selection of Japanese films to a global audience through both physical screenings and an accessible online streaming platform. With a diverse lineup of genres and multilingual subtitles, JFF Theater aims to inspire and deepen understanding of Japanese culture among viewers worldwide. For more information and to explore the current JFF Theater lineup, please visit JFF Theater 2025
About the film
Love and the Grand Tug-of-war (大綱引の恋)
2021 | 108 Min | Drama, Romance | Director: SASABE Kiyoshi
An intoxicating mix of intensity and action. The climax of the film is a massive tug-of-war in Satsumasendai City of Kagoshima Prefecture, featuring 3,000 people. Family dramas and love stories are carefully depicted around the role known as the “Lead Drummer,” who commands this tug-of-war tradition that has continued for centuries.
The film became the swansong for SASABE Kiyoshi, whose works focused on the bonds between people, family and married couples, starting with his debut DAWN OF A NEW DAY: The Man Behind VHS (2002).
About Isan Creative Festival
Isan Creative Festival 2025 (ISANCF2025), under the theme “ISAN SHOW P(R)AOW: ISAN SO(UL) PROUD,” is the fifth annual celebration organized by the Creative Economy Agency (CEA). The festival highlights the creative potential of the Isan region across three key dimensions which are full of “opportunities” for creative creators: Opportunities from Cultural Capital (Content Base) with its rich cultural heritage, Opportunities from Regional Potential (Area Base) with its vibrant regional landscapes and communities, and Opportunities from the Creative Industries (Industries Base) with its growing creative industries—from arts and crafts to gastronomy (Industries Base). Taking place from June 28 to July 6, 2025, across multiple venues in Khon Kaen and throughout Isan, the festival invites creators, entrepreneurs, and cultural networks to showcase, connect, and reimagine Isan through their creative lens.
For more information on the event, please follow this link
https://www.isancreativefestival.com/
Contact Information
The Japan Foundation, Bangkok
10th Fl. Serm-mit Tower, 159 Sukhumvit 21, Bangkok 10110
Email: acdept_jfbkk@jpf.go.jp
Co-organized by
