Summer Explorers!

Our popular Summer Explorers free film season returns! From puppetoon animation to Samurai comedy, and a film version of Japan’s mega hit TV drama, we have something to suit all ages and tastes.

Sunday 12th August 2018: Courthouse Hotel Cinema
19-21 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HL

His Master's Voice   2:00pm & 6:40pm
Dir. Hiroyuki Itaya, 2014 | 95 min
Set in the Edo Period, Sadakichi (Nayuta Fukuzaki) returns home to take a holiday from his work after being bullied there. In order to cheer up their little son, his parents ask their gloomy looking neighbour, Taihei (Taihei Hayashiya), a former Rakugo storyteller, to give a performance for him. Sadakichi is deeply moved by his performance and hopes to become Taihei’s apprentice.

Giovanni's Island   4:15pm
Dir. Mizuho Nishikubo, 2014 | 104 min
In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan became part of the Sakhalin Oblast. On the unhealed border in this remote corner of the world, friendship among children from two different countries timidly blossomed, striving to overcome language barriers and the waves of history. Inspired by true events.

Saturday 18th August 2018: Regent Street Cinema
309 Regent Street, London, W1B 2UW

Chieri and Cherry   2:30pm
Dir. Makoto Nakamura, 2015 | 54 min
The only friend Chieri has is a stuffed animal Cherry; it talks and plays with Chieri, and helps her go through life in place of her late father. When she visits her grandmother’s house for her father’s memorial, they find a stray dog giving birth to puppies, but a mean crow and strange monster come to steal them. Can Chieri and Cherry keep them safe?

Cat Samurai   3:50pm
Dirs. Takeshi Watanabe and Yoshitaka Yamaguchi, 2014 | 100 min
Masterless samurai Kyutaro Madarame (Kazuki Kitamura) is hired by a dog-loving gang to get rid of a rival gang’s cat, being under the impression the cat has possessed the gang leader. The only problem – when Madarame comes face to face with the cat in question, he can’t go through with it… and is now the target of both gangs! Hilarious comedy for both cat lovers and non-cat lovers alike.

Oshin   5:50pm
Dir. Shin Togashi, 2013 | 109 min

In 1907, 7-year-old Oshin is traded for 60kg of rice and sent to work in a lumber shop. Suspected of theft by the owners, she runs away into the mountains during a blizzard. Found by the kind Shunsaku, Oshin learns how to read and write, and the importance of independent thinking. A remake of the biggest hit drama in Japanese TV history, Oshin retells the story of a woman whose patience and endurance helped her through a tough life.

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