Pre-Summer Explorers!

From anime to 70’s horror, drama to eye opening documentaries, discover something for everyone with our brand new season of free Japanese cinema screenings.

 

Saturday, 4 August 2018: Soho Hotel Cinema
4 Richmond Mews (via Richmond Buildings), London, W1D 3DH

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Double Bill (Part 1)   5:15pm (English subtitles)

A Tale of Love & Honour: Life in Gion
Dir. Maki Kubochi, 2017, 49min | Image: © NHK
Take a peek into the distinct district of Gion in Kyoto and witness the proud and wistful stories of people belonging to this secret world in this fascinating documentary from NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Living Ninja Legend Masaaki Hatsumi
2016, 49 min | Image: © NHK
Masaaki Hatsumi, 84 years old, is a living ninja in modern times. What is the essence of his astonishing art? This documentary investigates the hidden power of this ninja master.

 

House   7:20pm (English subtitles,  suitable for ages 15+)
Dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi, 1977, 88min

Nicknamed Oshare, meaning gorgeous, Miyuki (Kimiko Ikegami) was excited to spend the summer with her father, until she found out his new young wife would be joining them. Looking to escape this awkward situation, she decides to take six of her school friends to her aunt’s house in the countryside, and one by one, strange things start happening to them. This monumental horror comedy pushed the director Obayashi to the world of fame.

Sunday, 5 August 2018: Courthouse Hotel Cinema
19-21 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HL     

 
Summer Wars  2.15pm (suitable for ages 12+)
Dir. Mamoru Hosoda, 2009, 114min

Kenji Koiso is a 17-year-old maths genius and part-time OZ moderator who is invited by his crush Natsuki on a summer trip. Shortly after arriving at Natsuki's family's estate, which is preparing for her great-grandmother's 90th birthday, he receives a strange, coded message on his cell phone from an unknown sender who challenges him to solve it. Will Kenji be able to crack the code and save the world from danger?

 

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Double Bill (Part 2)  4.30pm (English subtitles)

My Small Steps to Hiroshima
2016, 50min Image ©  NHK
Kaoru Ogura dedicated his life to telling the world about Hiroshima, where the first atomic bomb was dropped. This documentary recounts the life and work of Ogura and his fellow anti-nuclear activists.
The Phone of the Wind
2016, 49 mins  | Image © NHK
On a hill overlooking the sea in northern Japan is a phone booth known as the "Phone of the Wind". It is connected to nowhere, but many people come here to "call" their loved ones lost in the 2011 tsunami…

Kikujiro 6.40pm (English subtitles, suitable for ages 12+)
Dir. Takeshi Kitano, 1999, 122min |

Young Masao decides to embark on a journey from Tokyo to Toyohashi, in Aichi, to find his long-lost mother. Keeping it a secret from the grandmother he lives with, his elderly neighbour Kikujiro (Takeshi Kitano) decides to accompany him on his trip. This is a timeless human drama by legendary director Takeshi Kitano.

 

 

Saturday, 11 August 2018: Soho Hotel Cinema
4 Richmond Mews (via Richmond Buildings), London, W1D 3DH

Only Yesterday   2.15pm (English subtitles, PG)
Dir. Isao Takahata, 1991, 118min

Office worker Taeko decides to take a break from Tokyo during the summer to spend time in the countryside, somewhere she hasn’t been for nearly two decades. Along the way, her childhood memories come pouring back to her. This is early work by Studio Ghibli directed by the late Isao Takahata.

Napping Princess 4.40pm (English subtitles, PG)
Dir. Kenji Kamiyama, 1991, 111min

Kokone should be studying for her university entrance exams, but she’s finding it harder and harder to stay awake because when she sleeps, her daily life has been swapped for the fantastic world of Heartland. However, when events in the dream world start mirroring those in the real world, she finds herself drawn into battles in both.

Mitsuko Delivers 7.00pm (English subtitles, age rating to be confirmed)
Dir. Yuya Ishii, 2011, 109min | © “Mitsuko Delivers” Film Partners

Mitsuko (Riisa Naka) is down on her luck. Despite being dumped by the boyfriend whose baby she’s carrying, jobless, and penniless, she’s sunnily optimistic and decides to go back to her hometown to help those around her. She sets out to solve their problems one by one, delivering her positivity wherever she goes.

Short Japanese Language Taster Sessions on 11th August!
3.30pm-6.30pm, Screen 2 @ Soho Hotel Cinema
Have you ever wanted to introduce yourself like a Japanese film character?
We will be running short language taster sessions for beginners focusing on
Japanese in Anime/Manga. Anyone can drop by and take part, so please come along to get involved!


Entrance cost: Tickets are free but booking is essential via Eventbrite. For more information, please go to jpf.org.uk