The Chambara Films of Shintaro Katsu and Ichikawa Raizo
February 16, 2010
The Japan Society, New York
presents
The Chambara Films of Shintaro Katsu and Ichikawa Raizo
December 2009 — May 2010
With the centennial of director Akira Kurosawa’s birth coming up, 2010 will certainly be the year of sword fighting films (chambara)! While Kurosawa will always remain the “Emperor”, two actors dominated postwar Japanese genre cinema: Daiei Studios’ cult stars Shintaro Katsu (1931-1997) and Raizo Ichikawa (1931-1969).
Two actors, two styles, apparently poles apart yet actually complementary: earthy Katsu was the affable anti-idol rogue, unpredictable on- and off-screen, while ethereal, coolly enigmatic Ichikawa was considered the “James Dean of Japan”. Beyond their differences, both stars instilled in their roles a poisonous poetry and existential angst that lifted their art into genre-transcending territory. Curated by Chris D., genre film expert and author of Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film. Read more
Walectro: December 8 in Tokyo
November 9, 2009
Ongoing live music showcase Saiko presents Walectro
on Tuesday December at Marz in Shinjuku, Tokyo (19:00-24:00)
Tickets (¥2000 adv, ¥2500 door) are available through Metropolis Tickets and at the door.
Saiko is a live music showcase in Tokyo launched by Dan Grunebaum, Music Editor of Metropolis magazine, and friends in 2007. Read more
Honiefaith: November 6-8 in Tokyo
November 4, 2009
Tokyo International Players present Honiefaith
Friday November 6th (Sold Out), Saturday November 7th (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) & Sunday November 8th (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) at Our Space theater in Shibuya
When a Filipino hostess’ dismembered body is discovered in a Tokyo coin locker, Manila newspaper reporter Victor Balmori is dispatched to Japan. Balmori is looking for a story, he finds a nightmare.
Written by Monty DiPietro, “Honiefaith” is a three-act play based on real events. The premiere of “Honiefaith” opened Tokyo International Players’ “Second Stage” series in June, playing to full houses at a ‘black box’ theater in Hatagaya. The November production is being directed by the author, and features Filipino television and film actor Percival Florendo Bugayong in the lead role. The play is in English, and runs about two hours with intermission.
Design Festa: October 24-25 at Tokyo Big Sight
October 15, 2009
International Art Event, Design Festa vol. 30!
October 24th (Sat) & 25th (Sun), 2009 11:00 – 19:00 at Tokyo Big Sight
Started in 1994, Design Festa is a biannual event where artists and people from all over the world mix and mingle. For the 15th anniversary, vol. 30, will be offering more than 8,500 artists, live music and performances, as well as restaurants, cafe and bar areas over its two days of art, energy, excitement and discovery! Don’t miss this one-stop art extravaganza – it really is quite a sight to behold!
Win tickets to see ‘Oliver!’ in Tokyo
May 5, 2009
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS PRESENTS LIONEL BART’S
May 14-17, 2009 at the Sun Mall Theater in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Weekdays 7:00pm, Weekends 1:00pm and 7:00pm
Sun Mall Crest Bldg., 1-19-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tel: 03-3352-5577
Adults: 4,000 yen (4,500 yen at the door); 2,500 yen for students and children.
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! One lucky Tokyo Reporter reader can win a pair of tickets. Simply send an e-mail to “ocontest@tokyoplayers.org” with “The Tokyo Reporter” written in the subject line and include your name and a telephone number in the body. At 6 p.m. on Monday, May 11, a random selection of one e-mail will be made. Good luck!
‘Departures’ to premiere in New York on May 1
April 21, 2009
Academy Award® Winner – Best Foreign Language Film
IS PREMIERING IN NEW YORK ON FRIDAY, MAY 1
Door 6:15pm, Film 7:00pm
Chelsea Cinemas: 260 West 23rd Street, NYC
Admission Free. RSVP to:
“Departures” Web page
The event will feature guest appearances by director Yojiro Takita and main cast member Masahiro Motoki. After the screening, there will be a Q&A session with the the director and actor for all attendees.
STORY: When a symphony orchestra in Tokyo disbands, Daigo Kobayashi suddenly becomes unemployed. Suffering from low self esteem, he faces the fact that not everyone who has devoted their life to music can become a top artist. With wife Mika in tow, he moves back to his hometown in the northeastern prefecture of Yamagata to live in his late mother’s house, which doubled as the local pub. Daigo’s father abandoned the family when he was a very small boy, but his mother never stopped carrying a torch for him.
Spotting a Help Wanted ad featuring the word “Departures,” he is excited about the prospect of trying a new career in the travel industry. He arrives for the interview, curiously eyeing the coffins lining the back wall of the office. The company owner, Sasaki, hires him on the spot, with only a cursory glance at his resume. Daigo finally ventures to ask what is involved, exactly, and is stunned to learn what he has gotten himself into: the ceremonial “encoffination” of corpses prior to cremation. Sasaki urges him to take the job, proffering large amounts of cash; he’s getting older and needs someone to carry on the tradition. Daigo overcomes his initial trepidation and agrees to try the job. Read more
Design Festa: May 16-17 at Tokyo Big Sight
April 20, 2009
International Art Event, Design Festa vol. 29!
May 16th (Sat) & 17th (Sun), 2009 11:00 – 19:00 at Tokyo Big Sight
Started in 1994, Design Festa is a biannual event where artists and people from all over the world mix and mingle. Its latest incarnation, vol. 29, will be offering more than 2,600 booths, live music and performances, as well as restaurants, cafe and bar areas over its two days of art, energy, excitement and discovery! Don’t miss this one-stop art extravaganza – it really is quite a sight to behold!
‘Tokyo Sonata’ to open in New York on March 13
March 11, 2009
A FILM BY
KIYOSHI KUROSAWA
IS OPENING IN NEW YORK ON MARCH 13
The film was a Jury Prize winner at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category.
STORY: Set in contemporary Tokyo, “Tokyo Sonata” is a story of an ordinary Japanese family of four. The father, Ryuhei Sasaki, like any other Japanese businessman, is faithfully devoted to his work. His wife Megumi manages the house and struggles to retain a bond with Takashi, her oldest son who is in college, and the youngest, Kenji, a sensitive boy in elementary school. Read more
‘TOKYO!’ to open in New York on March 6
February 24, 2009
A FILM BY
MICHEL GONDRY
LEOS CARAX
BONG JOON-HO
IS OPENING IN NEW YORK ON MARCH 6
AND FOLLOWS NATIONALLY
MICHEL GONDRY and LEOS CARAX IN PERSON Q & A
at the Sunshine Theater in New York for selected shows
Opening Weekend March 6-8
Directed by Michel Gondry, Leos Carax and Bong Joon-Ho, the film was an official selection at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category.
The film consists of three parts, each directed by a different director. Gondry’s piece, entitled “Interior Design” tells the tale of a young couple trying to find their way in Tokyo only to find themselves dealing with a surreal, transformation situation. Leos Carax presents the viewer with “Merde”, the bizarre story of a malicious subterranean creature’s short-lived reign of terror over Tokyo and the resulting trial and media circus. The final featurette, directed by Bong Joon-Ho, is called “Shaking Tokyo” and it revolves around love between a shut-in and a pizza delivery girl.
“TOKYO!” opens on March 6 in New York at the Sunshine Theater, located at 143 East Houston Street. Michel Gondry and Leos Carax will follow selected shows with question and answer sessions.
The film opens nationally following New York showings.
For more detailed information about the film go to the “TOKYO!” Web page or NEW YORK – TOKYO
‘Tokyo Sonata’ – Release of English-subtitled edition
December 14, 2008
‘Tokyo Sonata’, English-subtitled edition
Starting Date:
12/13 (Sat)
Showtimes:
Week of 12/13 (Sat)- 12/19 (Fri)
4:40pm/ 7:15pm
3-8-15, Minato-ku Tokyo
Tel: 03-5413-7711
TOKYO SONATA is a portrait of a seemingly ordinary Japanese family. The father who abruptly loses his job conceals the truth from his family; the eldest son in college hardly returns home; the youngest son furtively takes piano lessons without telling his parents; and the mother, who knows deep down that her role is to keep the family together, cannot find the will to do so. From the exterior, all is normal and the same. But somehow, a single, unforeseeable chasm has appeared within the family, only to spread ever so quietly and quickly to disintegrate them. Read more
