Doujouji

Based on an ancient legend, Dojoji Temple tells the story of a young priest who finds himself the object of intense infatuation and lust from a young woman. As he rebuffs her advances she becomes more and more desperate eventually turning herself into a gigantic serpent. The priest is hidden under the bell of the temple but the woman's passion is so intense that escape is impossible. A short animation from filmaker Kihachiro Kawamoto. This film utilizes both stop motion and standard animation techniques.

The Little Match Girl

A little girl tries to sell matches on a cold December night with no luck. To keep from freezing she lights one match and sees a wondrous vision... This theatrical release was based on a Hans Christian Andersen's story. The movie was completed in July 1967, but the release was delayed until the 1971 “Toho Champion Matsuri” film festival.

Kataku

Many years ago, a young woman named Unai-Otome lived in the village of Ikuta. As she was beautiful it was no surprise that she had two suitors, both deeply in love with her. The girl was torn apart over which one to choose. In her desperation she chose a third option - taking her own life. Although her intentions were absolutely pure, not even in death did she find the solace she desired. Many decades later, a pilgrim walking by her grave meets a beautiful young woman and her story once again rises from the depths of time.... With a plot based on a classic play of Noh traditional theatre, the film presents the peak of Kawamoto&rsquo;s mastery thanks to its expert mediation of the absurdity of the human condition. Source: <a href="http://www.kviff.com/en/film-archive-detail/20050895-house-of-flames/" target="_blank">http://www.kviff.com/en/film-archive-detail/20050895-house-of-flames/</a>

The Little Mermaid

A stop motion film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.

Briar-Rose or the Sleeping Beauty

An alternate retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. The story begins in the same way as the original story but our young heroine instead of falling under the mystical spell begins to uncover the mystery of the man who cursed her and his relationship with her mother. It is a realistic reminder that "They lived happily ever after...", may not be as happy as we once envisioned.

Okonjoururi

The 25 minute film tells the tale of an ailing elderly woman named Itako who encounters a fox named Okon. The story opens with Itako lying bedridden, as she has for a long time. Okon enters her home and Itako tells the fox that he is welcome to take anything that he wants, for she has no use for anything anymore. Okon is delighted and in order to return the favour (the act of ongaeshi), Okon performs a magic jy&#333;ruri (a ballad with shamisen accompaniment) that heals Itako so that she is fit enough to walk again. Everyone is surprised by Itako's sudden recovery. She then hears of a hunter who has been badly injured and is near death. Itako hides Okon in the back of her shirt and has the fox sing the song while she plays shamisen in order to heal the man. This act of kindness is repeated for others until Itako's good fortune leads some to be suspicious of her. (Source: Nishikata Film Review)