Bangkok's Contemporary World Film Series continues its 2026 run with Sunset Sunrise, an award-winning Japanese comedy-drama directed by Yoshiyuki Kishi. The screening takes place on a Sunday at 4pm at TK Park on the 8th floor of CentralWorld on Ratchadamri Road, and it's free to attend — though seats are limited, so arriving early is a smart move. Entry to TK Park normally costs 20 baht, but that fee is waived for members.

The film comes with English subtitles, so no Japanese is required. It will be introduced by Masataka Okasa, the chargé d'affaires at the Japanese embassy, and there's a post-screening discussion afterwards for anyone who wants to dig into the film's themes.

So what's it about? The story follows Shinsaku, a young Tokyo office worker who relocates to a remote seaside town in Sunanura, along the lush and scenic coast of Sanriku. He moves into a house owned by the charming young Momoka, and his presence soon stirs up a fair bit of drama among the locals. Kishi blends romance and comedy while weaving in heavier themes: disaster and health management, the push and pull between urban and rural life, and the preservation of historic buildings.

There's a real-world backdrop here too. The story is set during the Covid-19 pandemic, and its narrator-figures are outsiders — people who arrived from cities affected by the outbreak and found themselves in a tight-knit community wary of newcomers. That gives the film a very specific flavour: warm and funny on the surface, but with plenty to say about how communities absorb change.

Why the timing matters: the screening is co-organised by the Embassy of Japan to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand next year. For travellers in Bangkok, it's a low-cost way to catch a contemporary Japanese film that may not get a wide commercial release in Thailand — and the CentralWorld location puts you steps away from plenty of food and shopping for before or after the show.

Who's this for? Film lovers, Japan enthusiasts, and anyone spending a weekend in Bangkok who fancies something cultural without the cinema-chain prices. Just remember: free entry, limited seats — turn up with time to spare.

Original source: Bangkok Post Life