Screenings for the 11th Okinawa International Movie Festival kicked off on Thursday, April 18. The independent Sakurazaka Theatre is again hosting a program called “Sakurazaka Film University,” which presents international films in a creative and fun way.

This year’s Sakurazaka Film University began with an early film by the director of the Baahubali series, S.S. Rajamouli. “Magadheera” was a big hit for the Tollywood (the South Indian Telugu language) film industry in 2009. It is an epic fantasy, but it begins in present-day Hyderabad. A motorcycle stunt rider (Indian superstar Ram Charan) happens to brush the fingers of a mysterious woman and has a vision revealing they were lovers in a previous life 400 years ago. The story jumps back and forth over the centuries, allowing for contemporary comedy scenes, and sweeping historic battles filled with dazzling special effects and stunts.

Top comedians were on hand to introduce the film and also be part of the screening. Nobuhiko Ohtani of the Yoshimoto comedy duo Dainoji served as the “Special Professor” for Indian Film Department at Sakurazaka Film University. He introduced the members of other comedy duos, Kamaitachi, Colocolo Peppers and Miki, as well as the solo comedian Ken Koga.

As soon as the film started, the comedians let the jokes fly, leaving the audience in hysterics. People were also able to join in by shaking tambourines and glow sticks. Everything worked together to make a film even more fun to watch in the theater.

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