The Written Face (1995) by Daniel Schmid makes its long-awaited UK premiere in a stunning new 4K restoration, presented in collaboration with Cinémathèque suisse. This special screening opens In the Realm of Acting: Performance On and Off Screen, a season exploring the fluidity of performance, identity, illusion, and truth through a collection of rare and underseen films from across periods and geographies.

An eminent figure in Swiss cinema and close friend of Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Daniel Schmid once described his films as "illusions and dreams that dissolve," unfolding in "liminal realms." Shot on 16mm with luminous cinematography by Renato Berta, The Written Face is a fantastical exploration of the art of performance shaped by Schmid’s singular aestheticism. At its centre is Bando Tamasaburo V, an unparalleled onnagata (a kabuki actor who plays female roles) and Living National Treasure, offering rare accounts of his professionalism and the meaning for him to embody women. The film also features legends such as Haruko Sugimura, Kazuo Ohno, Han Takehara, and Tsutakiyokomatsu Asaji, documenting their lifelong dedication to artistic pursuits. Twilight Geisha Story, a dramatic segment within the film, was created with assistance from Shinji Aoyama.

Japanese with English subtitles, 94 mins.

The screening will be introduced by season curator Yuriko Hamaguchi, an MA student in Film Studies, Programming and Curation at the National Film and Television School.

Ticket: Subject to ICA ticketing policy (concessions and discounts available)