Cycle
From 29.09. To 06.10.2008.
Japanese contemporary films
Related texts
Films in cycle
Twilight Samurai
(Tasogare Seibei, 2002)
Directed by: Yôji Yamada
PHOTOGRAPHY: Mutsuo Naganuma
Synopsis:
Seibei Iguchi is a low ranking samurai who, after his wife’s death, has to take care of their two children and his old and sick mother. While other samurais go for a drink after work, he faithfully runs home to his family to take care of them. In his devotion, he neglects himself and thus becomes an object of mockery for other samurais. Soon he meets his old love from childhood Tomoe, who helps him to cope with his troubles.
35 mm, color, 129 min
PROJECTION:
Monday 29.09.2008 AT 21:00
2/Duo
(Dyuo, 1997)
Directed by: Nobuhiro Suwa
PHOTOGRAPHY: Masaki Tamura
Synopsis:
The film was shot as a documentary with a handheld camera and tells a story of estrangement between people and the decay of a loving relationship. Hidetoshi Nishijima plays a busy actor who would rather sleep all day and Eri Yu is his girlfriend, the depressive owner of a boutique.
35 mm, color, 90 min
PROJECTION:
Tuesday 30.09.2008 AT 21:00
Biriken
(Billiken, 1996)
Directed by: Junji Sakamoto
PHOTOGRAPHY: Norimichi Kasamatsu
Synopsis:
The main character in this film is the ghost of a formerly very popular kind of wooden statue called a Billiken. It is a god with a pointy head, fat stomach and distinctive smile. When its case gets broken, the ghost is set free and tries to make all the wishes of those who prayed to it come true. However, since he goes about it in a particular way, he does not always succeed.
35 mm, color, 100 min
PROJECTION:
Wednesday 01.10.2008 AT 21:00
Turn Over - An angel is coming
(Futari biyori, 2004)
Directed by: Keiichi Nomura
PHOTOGRAPHY: Kensaku Hayashi
Synopsis:
Gen is an old tailor and lives in the old part of Kyoto. His wife Chie is seriously ill. In order to cheer her up, the tailor hires a young student studying to become a magician to put on a magic show for her. Soon the young man becomes a regular guest in their house. However, in spite of the young magician’s efforts Chie ends up in a hospital.
35 mm, color, 113 min
PROJECTION:
Thursday 02.10.2008 AT 21:00
Summer of Chirusoku
(Chirusoku no natsu, 2003)
Directed by: Kiyoshi Sasabe
PHOTOGRAPHY: Masaaki Sakae
Synopsis:
The story takes place in July 1977 during a high school athletic competition between two towns, Japanese Shimonoseki and North Korean Pusan. Two teenagers, Ikuko Endo from Japan and An Daiho from North Korea, fall in love and promise to meet each other in a year at the next competition. Apart from physical distance, during that year they will have to overcome political tensions and social prejudices.
35 mm, color, 114 min
PROJECTION:
Friday 03.10.2008 AT 21:00
Always Sunset on Third Street
(Always san-chôme no yűhi, 2005)
Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki
PHOTOGRAPHY: Kozo Shibazaki
Synopsis:
The story takes place in Tokyo in 1958 and follows the lives of several young people in a time of economic recession. Norifumi Suzuki and his wife Tomoe run a small car shop and his childhood friend Chagawe Ryunosuke a candy store. He is secretly in love with Hiromi, their neighbor who opened a sake bar.
35 mm, color, 133 min
PROJECTION:
Saturday 04.10.2008 AT 21:00
Charisma
(Karisuma, 1999)
Directed by: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
PHOTOGRAPHY: Junichirô Hayashi
Synopsis:
Goro Yabuike, a police negotiator, is completely tired of his work. During his last rescue mission he had a moment of hesitation which cost the lives of both a hostage and a kidnapper. After that incident he was ordered to take a vacation in a forest. One day while on a walk he finds an unusual tree called Charisma. It is in constant danger from people who live nearby and have their own ideas about its survival.