Reciprocal 2026 – Asian Film Archive (AFA) x Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive (FCPLA)
RECIPROCAL is the Asian Film Archive (AFA)’s annual collaborative film programme that spotlights the archival collections of AFA and a partnering archive. Inspired by and responding to the resonance of each other’s featured collections, the curated line-up explores the creative intersections and juxtapositions between the preserved national, regional, and international film and moving image, offering perspectives on archival issues and concerns confronting contemporary archivists.
In the 2026 edition of RECIPROCAL, Asian Film Archive and the Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive (FCPLFA) come together to showcase selections from their collections that together highlight cinema as a space where filmmakers rethink form, identity, and emotion. Inspired by and responding to the resonance of each archive’s featured collections, the curated line-up explores the creative intersections and juxtapositions of the preserved works while also offering perspectives on archival issues and concerns confronting contemporary archivists.
Audiences will encounter films shaped by bold and distinctive approaches to cinematic language, tracing history and shared perspectives, and expressing feelings in ways that are intimate, reflective, and deeply personal. Spanning regions, generations, and artistic contexts, the programme brings historical and contemporary practices into conversation.
This is the first time such a distinctive and eclectic line-up of filmmakers is being showcased – Japanese independent and auteur filmmakers such as Gakuryū Ishii, Kaori Oda, and Takashi Ito alongside Ashish Avikunthak (India), Daniel Hui (Singapore), and Tan Chui Mui (Malaysia). There will be a rare special presentation of two short film programmes by Tarō Nakayama (Japan), a noted Fukuoka-based amateur filmmaker from the 1950s, whose works are preserved by FCPLFA.
Reciprocal 2026 will run 5-28 June 2026 at Oldham Theatre.
Programme
Talks
In Conversation: From Archive to Screen – Presenting and Preserving Independent Cinema
Satuday, 13 June, 4pm
With Ashish Avikunthak (India), Daniel Hui (Singapore), Kaori Oda (Japan), Takashi Ito (Japan) , Chew Tee Pao (Senior Archivist, Asian Film Archive) and Eijun Sugihara (Curator, Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive). Moderated by Dr. Mark Player.
TALK: Tarō Nakayama: A Life in Amateur Film
Sunday, 14 June, 2pm
Speaker: Dr. Mark Player
Film Screenings
Film titles are listed according to chronological year of release or in the order they are meant to be shown
From the Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive collection:
Taro Nakayama: Shorts Programme I
1. Hakata Dolls (博多人形, 1954)
2. Kurume Kasuri (久留米絣, 1954)
3. Blank Canvas (白いカンバス. 1955)
4. White Road (白い道, 1967)
Taro Nakayama: Shorts Programme II
1. The Sea Where Smoke Can Be Seen (煙の見える海, 1953)
2. Little Bear Story (仔熊物語, 1956)
3. On a Clear Autumn Day (秋晴れの日に, 1955)
4. The Traveling Actors (旅役者, 1958)
Takashi Ito: Double Bill | SPACY (1981) + Distant Voices (遠い声, 2024) + Q&A with filmmaker
Kaori Oda: Double Bill | Underground (アンダーグラウンド, 2024) + Recording with Mother ‘Working Hands’ (母との記録「働く手」, 2025) + Q&A with filmmaker
Domains (王国（あるいはその家について）, 2019, Natsuka Kusano)
Self-Revolutionary Cinematic Struggle (自分革命映画闘争, 2024, Gakuryu Ishii)
From the Asian Film Archive collection:
5 Restored Shorts by Rajendra Gour (Singapore)
1. Eyes (1967)
2. Sight & Desire (Eyes) (1968)
3. Sunshine Singapore (1972)
4. Labour of Love – The Housewife (1978)
5. My Child My Child (1979)
Restless Forms: Shorts from AFA
1. Amen (1998, Khavn de la Cruz, Philippines)
2. I’m Starving (我餓, 1998, Yau Ching, USA/Hong Kong)
3. The Inescapable Desire of Roots (根欲, 2024, Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen, Singapore)
4. Deadline (截止, 2011, Toh Hun Ping, Singapore)
5. Dancing Othello (Brihnnlala Ki Khelkali, 2002, Ashish Avikunthak)
Shadows Formless (Nirakar Chhaya, 2007, Ashish Avikunthak)
Year Without a Summer (Berkelana, 2010, Tan Chui Mui, Malaysia)
Eclipses (2011, Daniel Hui, Singapore) + Q&A with filmmaker
Ex Press (2011, Jet Leyco, Philippines)
About the Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive
Established in 1996, the Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive (FCPLFA) is an affiliate of the International Federation of Film Archives and houses more than 3,300 titles in 35mm, 16mm, and digital formats of moving image works, representing over 30 Asian countries and regions from Japan to Turkey. These include films that are presented through the Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival. The FCPLFA collection stands as an important cultural resource that preserves and shares the region’s cinematic histories with future generations. These films are accessible to the public through screenings and feature programmes at Movie Hall CINÉ-LÀ in Fukuoka.
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With support from Nagase Film Foundation
Tickets are on sale now.
Scroll down to select the screening of your choice and click through to purchase tickets.
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Oldham Theatre’s opening hours
For further assistance, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org
Important Notice:
Do note that Oldham Theatre does not play ads and screenings will start promptly. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime, so arrive early to register and find a seat. Arrive early so as not to disrupt the screenings. All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online to be able to secure a seat. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.
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