Metzler and the Nippon Connection film festival stick together even in difficult times
Once again, Metzler Bank is a main sponsor of the Nippon Connection Japanese film festival held in Frankfurt/Main – for the 16th time. Like last year, the world’s largest public festival for Japanese films will not be held in the cinema due to corona, but the festival team will present large portions of the program online via the Watch.NipponConnection.com platform. Unfortunately, the Metzler reception, which traditionally attracts around 150 clients and friends to Frankfurt’s Mousonturm at the end of the festival each year, will be cancelled again this year. Gerhard Wiesheu, partner at Metzler Bank responsible for Metzler’s Asian business, regrets this and also the fact that Nippon Connection will not be able to draw on unlimited resources for the second time in a row and will do without a live festival atmosphere. Nevertheless, he is impressed by how quickly the volunteer team has adapted to the new situation with innovative ideas and creative concepts. "In difficult times, it is especially important for us to remain loyal to longstanding initiatives like Nippon Connection – and to stand by them particularly closely," Wiesheu continues.
Metzler has long-standing business ties with Japan. Metzler Asset Management (Japan) Ltd. was founded in 2001 and is thus celebrating its 20th anniversary in Tokyo this year. Since its foundation, the staff there have established themselves as a competent asset management partner for institutional clients from Japan. In addition, advising Japanese companies on corporate transactions in the German market and support for Japanese clients investing in real estate in the USA and Germany are becoming increasingly important services offered by Metzler.
Since its founding in 1674, Metzler Bank has followed a longstanding tradition of supporting cultural and social initiatives primarily in Frankfurt/Main – mostly based on long-term cooperation and personal commitment. The cooperation with Nippon Connection fits perfectly into this "support scheme" and underlines that Metzler’s business commitment in Japan is long-term.
From June 1–6, 2021, fans of Nippon Connection will have the opportunity to watch about 80 current short and feature films from Japan via the Watch.NipponConnection.com platform. Ranging from family dramas and musical comedies to socially critical documentaries and independent animated works, "Nippon Cinema" once again offers a diverse panorama of contemporary Japanese cinema. In addition, the digital program "Nippon Culture" with numerous workshops, lectures, unusual performances and concerts will invite you to discover the multi-faceted culture of Japan. The virtual marketplace also offers a wide range of other events relating to Japan.
For more information on the festival program for 2021, go to nipponconnection.com.