🏆 Japanese Drama Triumphs in Italy
The 28th Far East Film Festival (FEFF), one of Europe’s premier showcases for Asian cinema, has concluded in the Italian city of Udine. The festival’s top honor—the Golden Mulberry, determined by audience vote—was awarded to the poignant Japanese drama Fujiko, directed by Taichi Kimura.
Winners and Audience Favorites
Fujiko marks Kimura’s second feature-length effort. A family tragicomedy set in 1970s and 80s Japan, the film follows a middle-aged single mother (played by Yuki Katayama) struggling to find her place in a society only just beginning to grapple with the concepts of female empowerment. The film also shared the Black Dragon critics’ prize with a documentary from South Korea.
Second place and the Silver Mulberry went to the documentary The Seoul Guardians. Directed by Kim Jong-woo, Kim Shin-wan, and Cho Chol-yong, the film reconstructs the surreal events of December 3, 2024, when the citizens of Seoul took to the streets to protest President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law. Critics hailed the film as one of the most immersive and inspiring testimonies in modern South Korean history.
The Crystal Mulberry (third place) was unexpectedly shared by four films:
- Blades of the Guardians: Desert Wind (dir. Yuen Woo-ping);
- My Name Is (dir. Chung Ji-young);
- Tunnels: Sun in the Dark (dir. Bui Thac Chuyen);
- The King’s Guardian (dir. Jang Han-jun).
Honorary Awards and Debuts
The White Mulberry for Best Debut Feature was awarded to the thriller Unidentified Murder (dir. Kwok Ka-hei and Jack Lee), while the Vietnamese drama Tunnels: Sun in the Dark took home the award for Best Screenplay.
This year, Lifetime Achievement Golden Mulberries were presented to two legends of Asian cinema:
- Japanese actor Koji Yakusho;
- Hong Kong director and martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping.
Additionally, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was honored with an award for Outstanding Career Achievement.
Festival Highlights by the Numbers
The organizers of FEFF 2026 noted a significant surge in interest:
- 75 films from 12 countries were featured in the program;
- 8 world premieres took place during the festival;
- 70,000 attendees participated in screenings and events in Udine.
“This year we hosted superstars, showcased blockbusters, and screened films that celebrate the diverse talents of the region. Tonight’s winners reaffirm the undeniable power of Asian cinema,” stated FEFF President Sabrina Baracetti.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
