Historically, cinema has predominantly engaged with the human body through the lens of science fiction, often depicting miniature characters – reduced to the size of ants – who embark on fantastical journeys within our physical form, confronting its mysteries and the limited special effects technology of bygone eras. Iconic films like Richard Fleischer’s Fantastic Voyage, Joe Dante’s Innerspace, and Woody Allen’s comical remake, where he assumes the role of a sperm cell, epitomise this approach. However, in 2015, a compelling manga, later adapted into an anime series in 2018, subverted this convention with its new and dynamic reimagining. Yet it required a bold and imaginative director to bring this inventive concept to the cinematic stage. That director was the visionary Takeuchi Hideki.

Celebrated by audiences at the Far East Film Festival for his previous works, including Thermae Romae and Fly Me to the Saitama, which earned him considerable acclaim, Takeuchi returns to Udine to present Cells at Work!, a cinematic triumph that has taken the Japanese box office by storm. As of the latest count, the film has already sold over five million tickets. Produced by Warner Bros. Japan, this live-action adaptation is a visual spectacle, fast-paced, and, at times, profoundly moving film. The narrative unfolds within the bodies of a student and her widowed father, yet the true protagonists of Cells at Work! are the 37 trillion cells that sustain them. At the center of this world are a female red blood cell, played by Nagano Mei, and a male white blood cell, portrayed by the star Satoh Takeru, who valiantly defend the body from pathogenic invaders.

In unveiling Cells at Work! as the inaugural title of the 2025 Far East Film Festival lineup, the event also takes the opportunity to announce its ongoing accreditation campaign. Festival accreditations for Red Panda and White Tiger passes—available even for those under 26—can be purchased at a discounted Early Bird rate until March 3. Meanwhile, Press and Black Dragon accreditations will be available at the standard price. A new addition for 2025 is the Under 18 accreditation, specifically for passionate film enthusiasts aged 16 and 17. For further details, visit www.fareastfilm.com.

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}