Chanoma Film Festival presents heart-warming Japanese films for all ages, Oct. 20-26, 2006
Topic: Film

After taking a year off in 2005, the Japanese Film Festival will be returning to Los Angeles this year. The Chanoma Film Festival 2006 will be showing 11 heart-warming Japanese films at West Hollywood’s Laemle’s Sunset 5 from Oct. 20 – 26.

 

The Chanoma Film Festival started in 2003-2004 with the goal of delivering better understanding of modern Japanese culture through realistic depiction of Japanese families.

 

Venue: Los Angeles - Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 90046, (323) 848-3500.

 

What the Snow Brings (2005, 112min) US Premiere Director: Kichitaro Negishi. Cast: Yusuke Iseya, Koichi Sato, Kyoko Koizumi, Kazue Fukiishi, Tsutomu Yamazaki.  Swept 4 categories at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival (2005) including the Grand Prix.

 

When you've lost everything, is there a place you can go back to?

Manabu Yazaki, who had big dreams of success in Tokyo, loses his high-class lifestyle as well as his family and returns home to the Hokkaido heartland in midwinter.

 

There his elder brother Takeo manages a stable for "Banei horserace", a sleigh-pulling race unique to Hokkaido. Their long overdue reunion exposes the gap between them even more. Takeo does not let his brother meet their aging mother who is living in a nursing home.

 

However, while he watches Manabu interact with the sometimes quirky stable workers and the horses as they face the challenges of racing day in and day out, Takeo decides to have his brother meet their mother. Gradually the two men develop an understanding between them.

 

 

Miracle Banana

 

Screening Schedule

 

Friday, Oct. 20   12:00 p.m. School Wars: HERO (118min), 2:40 p.m. Stone Age (109min), 5:00 p.m. SHARA (100min), 7:20 p.m. Hotel Hibiscus (92min), 9:30 p.m. River of First Love (113min).

 

Saturday, Oct. 21  12:00 p.m. Miracle Banana (105min), 2:20 p.m. Nagasaki Angelus Bells - 1945 (80min), 4:20 p.m. HINOKIO (111min), 7:00 p.m. Rakuda Ginza (109min), 9:20 p.m. Breathe In, Breathe Out (123min).

 

Sunday, Oct. 22  12:00 p.m. What the Snow Brings (112min), 2:30 p.m. School Wars: HERO (118min), 5:00 p.m. Hotel Hibiscus (92min), 7:10 p.m. River of First Love (113min), 9:40 p.m. SHARA (100min).

 

Monday, Oct. 23  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.1 (88min), 2:00 p.m. Nagasaki Angelus Bells - 1945 (80min), 4:00 p.m. Miracle Banana (105min), 7:00 p.m. Breathe In, Breathe Out (123min), 9:40 p.m. Stone Age (109min).

 

Tuesday, Oct. 24  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.2 (88min), 2:00 p.m. HINOKIO (111min), 4:30 p.m. SHARA (100min), 7:00 p.m. What the Snow Brings (112min), 9:30 p.m. Rakuda Ginza (109min).

 

Wednesday, Oct. 25  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.3 (90min), 2:10 p.m. Hotel Hibiscus (92min), 4:20 p.m. Stone Age (100min), 7:00 p.m. Nagasaki Angelus Bells - 1945 (80min), 9:00 p.m. River of First Love (113min).

 

Thursday, Oct. 26  12:00 p.m. Japanese Short Films Vol.1 (88min), 2:00 p.m. Breathe In, Breathe Out (123min), 4:40 p.m. Miracle Banana (105min), 7:00 p.m. Rakuda Ginza (109min), 9:20 p.m. What the Snow Brings (112min).

 

Advance Tickets: $20.00 (Each ticket allows Admission for 4 people and a free special program guide. Programs will be handed at the theatre). Day of screening: General admission $10.00, Student $8.50, Children (12 and under) and Seniors (62 and over) $7.00, Matinee $7.00. Group discount: $3 per person for a group of more than eight people including at least one adult. For tickets, call (310) 676-7192.        www.chanomafilmfestival.org.

 

 

Film Screening "Finding Home" July 29
Topic: Film

The Holywood Japanese Cultural Institute is hosting a documentary screening of the film, “Finding Home” by Art Nomura, on Saturday, July 29 with reception at 7 p.m., the film starts at 8 p.m. and discussion with the filmmaker at 9 p.m.

Nomura traveled around Japan interviewing Japanese American who had chosen to live there for the long term. He found over 50 of them, and his frank documentary focuses on six Americans of Japanese descent who have chosen to live in the country of their ancestors.

The Hollywood Japanese Cultural Institute is located at 3929 Middlebury Street in Los Angeles. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, go to www.geocities.com/hollywoodjci. More information on Art Nomura and the film, go to www.artnomura.com.

 

Giant Monsters on the Loose, June 30 - July 2
Topic: Film
The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre presents Giant Monsters on the Loose!, June 30 - July 2. At the risk of being redundant...what is it about watching actors in rubber monster suits kick the living daylights out of a plaster-and-paint model of Tokyo (and each other), that seems so, well, satisfying?

We can't say for sure ... WE JUST KNOW WE LOVE IT!! For those of you who can never seem to get enough of city-stomping, radioactive-fire-breathing action, we're back with more GIANT MONSTERS ON THE LOOSE

-yes, more classics and rarities from the Japanese kaiju ("giant monster") genre –

including the Los Angeles Theatrical Premieres of he latest by Takashi Miike, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR,

as well as the completely-cgi-generated short "Negadon:

The Monster From Mars," the U.S. Premieres of GAMERA THE BRAVE and Tsubaraya Productions' MIRROR MAN:

REFLEX plus three episodes from their ULTRAMAN MAX television show (one directed by Shusuke Kaneko and two by Takashi Miike!!),

a rare screening of GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS (the 1956 American version of GOJIRA starring Raymond Burr),

with son of American co-director Terry Morse, Terry Morse, Jr. on hand for a Q&A, GODZILLA 2000 with American version producer Mike Schlesinger and the English-language voice actors discussing the dubbing, and much more!!

Anime Jungle will be on-site selling merchandise. All screenings are at the Lloyd E. Theatre at the historic Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Las Palmas) in Hollywood.

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Friday, June 30, 2006 - 7:30 PM | Egyptian Theatre

The Friday, June 30th program is a 7:30 PM Double Feature. First up is the Los Angeles Premiere of "Negadon: The Monster From Mars" (2005, Central Park Media, 26 min.).

The world's first 100% computer generated kaiju film is a loving homage to the classic Japanese monster movies of the 1950's and 60's. In the year 2025, extreme overpopulation results into the "Mars Terraforming Project," a plan to make the red planet a habitable world.
The MTP's efforts awaken the space monster Negadon, who crashes into Tokyo and destroys all in its path.

Earth's only hope is Miroku, a prototype robot piloted by its inventor. The award-winning NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS marks the directorial debut of graphics & special effects wizard, Jun Awazu, whose previous credits include KAMEN RIDER 555 and the Godzilla film GMK. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

Next on the same bill is the Los Angeles Premiere of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, (2005, Media Blasters & Kadokawa, 124 min.) directed by Takashi Miike. While attending a festival at an ancient shrine, a timid young boy named Tadashi is chosen to be the next Kirin Rider, a warrior of peace who must defend the world in times of darkness.

To prove his worth, Tadashi tries to claim the legendary Goblin Sword from the yokai...strange mystical beings that come in a variety of bizarre forms- some hideous, some cute-and who have incredible supernatural powers. As Tadashi sets out on his quest, the evil Lord Yasunori Kato and his henchwoman Agi the Bird-Stabbing Witch (Chiaki Kuriyma of BATTLE ROYALE and KILL BILL) have been capturing yokai and merging them with discarded items to make an army of mechanical monsters called Kikai.

Tadashi must unite the good yokai to oppose Lord Kato, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Acclaimed director Takashi Miike's big budget update of the classic Daiei films is great entertainment; a wonderful blend of adventure, horror, and comedy featuring hundreds of bizarre creatures. Co-starring Bunta Sugawara. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

Next on the same bill is the U.S. Premiere of GAMERA THE BRAVE, (2006, Kadokawa, 97 min.) Thirty years after Gamera disappeared during a battle with the flying monsters called Gyaos, a young boy named Toru Aizawa discovers a turtle egg while playing on a beach.

The egg hatches in his hand, and Toru keeps the tiny newborn as a pet. The little turtle grows quickly and soon displays some very odd behavior like flying and breathing fire. Toru soon realizes he has found a baby Gamera. When the sea monster Zedus comes ashore and attacks the town of Isheshima, the new Gamera comes to the rescue of Toru and his friends.

But the little monster is no match for his larger and much stronger opponent. Will this new Gamera be able to recover and find a way to beat the villainous Zedus?

A new creative team led by director Ryuta Tazaki (KAMEN RIDER AGITO, SHIBUYA 15) and special effects director Isao Kaneko (GODZILLA VS. BIOLANTE, TETSUJIN 28) launches a fresh cycle of films unconnected to the 1990's Gamera trilogy.

GAMERA THE BRAVE mixes the traditional "friend of all children" Gamera from the classic films of the 1960's with modern special FX techniques.

The film opened in Japan on April 29, and makes its US debut at this festival. In Japanese with English Subtitles. Please Note: Due to the current unavailability of a 35mm print, GAMERA THE BRAVE will be screened off of a Digi-Beta source.

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Saturday, July 1, 2006 - 6:00 PM | Egyptian Theatre

The Saturday, July 1st program is a 6:00 PM ultra-rare screening of GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS, (1956, Rialto, 80 min.) directed by Ishiro Honda and Terry Morse.

In 1954 Toho released the blockbuster hit GODZILLA, the first of 28 movies starring the giant monster. The following year, US rights to the film were acquired by a group of independent distributors who combined to form Trans World Releasing Corp.

In order to increase the appeal of a Japanese production, barely a decade after World War II, Trans World decided to recut GODZILLA to give it an American perspective. Director Terry Morse was hired to supervise the process and helm new scenes with actor Raymond Burr (REAR WINDOW, "Perry Mason") as an American reporter who witnesses Godzilla's rampage during a layover in Japan.

This new version, entitled GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS, was a huge success upon its release in 1956, and launched Godzilla as an international icon. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Godzilla's American debut, and in anticipation of the upcoming DVD release of both the US and Japanese versions of this film, the American Cinematheque and Classic Media present a rare theatrical screening of GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS.

English Dubbed Version. Discussion following film with Terry Morse Jr., editor of GKOTM and son of Terry Morse, who directed the American footage with Raymond Burr. Sponsored by Classic Media's Godzilla DVD collection.

Following at 8:30 PM is a Double Feature. First up is GODZILLA 2000, (1999, Sony Repertory, 99 min.) directed by Takao Okawara. Following TriStar Pictures' poorly received American GODZILLA, Toho brought back the original Japanese Godzilla for his first film in four years.

A government team salvages a spaceship that had crashed into the ocean millions of years ago. Unfortunately the craft still houses the consciousness of the long-dead alien crew, who begin looking for the material needed to recreate new bodies.

They soon discover that Godzilla's unique genetic structure would allow them to conquer the world. But the King of the Monsters has other ideas and takes on the spaceship and the alien beast Orga for a duel to the death in the heart of Tokyo.

GODZILLA 2000 launched the third wave of Godzilla films that recently ended with GODZILLA: FINAL WARS. It was quickly picked up by Sony Pictures and became the first Toho-produced Godzilla movie to receive a wide stateside release in 15 years. English Dubbed Version.

Next on the same bill is GODZILLA, MOTHRA & KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK, (2001, Sony Repertory, 105 min.).

Acclaimed by fans as one of the most exciting Godzilla films since the heyday of the 1960's, "GMK" features a terrific, redesigned Big G (hint: he's leaner, meaner and packs a nasty bite), bent on destroying Japan as vengeance for the restless souls of WWII victims.

Standing in his way are the "Guardian Deities" - i.e. Mothra, King Ghidorah and Baragon. Director Shusuke Kaneko helmed the astounding trio of GAMERA films for Daiei in the mid-1990's - here, he's practically reinvented the Godzilla series for the 21st century.

In Japanese with English subtitles. Discussion in between films with GODZILLA 2000 American producer Michael Schlesinger and the cast and crew responsible for the American version.

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Sunday, July 2, 2006 - 6:30 PM | Egyptian Theatre

The Sunday, July 2nd program begins at 6:30 PM with 4 Hours of Giant Superheroes & Monsters episodes, plus the US Premiere of MIRROR MAN: REFLEX. First up is ULTRAMAN MAX, (2005, Tsuburaya Prod. Approx. 90 min.) directed by Shusuke Kaneko and Takashi Miike.

The Ultraman franchise returned to it roots with this hit series that brought back several classic monsters as well as original ULTRAMAN stars Susumu Kurobe (Hayata) and Hiroko Sakurai (Fuji). Some of Japan's top directors took a rare turn at television with ULTRAMAN MAX, including this trio of episodes from Takashi Miike (AUDITION, GREAT YOKAI WAR) and Shusuke Kaneko (the Gamera trilogy, GMK) (All three episodes in Japanese with English Subtitles.)

Ep. 1: "Ultraman Max Is Born" - The lava monster Grangon and the freezing monster Ragorath are ravaging Japan, and only the defense force Team DASH and a brave, but reckless young man named Kaito Toma stand in their way. As the tide of battle turns against the defenders, a powerful alien being from Nebula M78 arrives on earth. Shusuke Kaneko directs this pilot episode establishing the cast and premise of ULTRAMAN MAX.

Ep. 15: "Miracle On Planet Number Three"- Max and Team DASH battle a giant monster that feeds off the energy of their attacks. What is the creature's connection to a young blind musician? This episode is a rather dark commentary on the escalating nature of violence and war by Takashi Miike.

Ep. 16: "Who Am I?" - Takashi Miike changes gears with this silly, slapstick parody of the Ultraman series. Three bizarre monsters cause everyone on earth to lose their memories. When Ultraman Max shows up to save the day, he forgets what he is supposed to do.

Next on the same bill (starting approximately 8:15 PM) is the First Episode of MIRROR MAN, (1971, Tsubaraya Prod., 25 min.).

Episode 1: "Mirror Man is Born." In the 1980's, the Earth comes under attack by the mysterious forces of the Invaders, nefarious beings from an unknown world bent on conquest and destruction.

Professor Mitarai forms the Science Guard Members (SGM), a high-tech fighting force whose task it is to protect our world. Meanwhile, newspaper photographer Kyotaro Kagami discovers he is actually a member of a race of super powered beings from the Second Dimension.

When the Invaders send a gigantic beast to devastate the city, Kyotaro uses his newfound power and transforms into Mirror Man, a towering superhero. But is even Mirror Man strong enough to defeat this terrible foe?

Next on the same bill is the U.S. Premiere of MIRROR MAN: REFLEX, (2006, Tsuburaya Prod., 90 min.) directed by Kazuya Konaka. Brothers Chiaki (ARMITAGE III) and Kazuya Konaka (ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT) update the 1971 superhero show for the new millennium.

The story revolves around a troubled young man, a strange girl who possesses incredible powers, a beautiful scientist with an unforgettable trauma in her past, giant city-smashing monsters, and a mysterious being from a parallel universe that exists beyond the looking glass.

Featuring stunning special effects, moody velvet-dark photography, and the classic MIRROR MAN monsters Aian, Darklon, and Golden Satan, MIRROR MAN: REFLEX will shred your expectations of Japanese science fiction. In Japanese with English Subtitles. Please note all materials tonight are from a digital video source.

General Admission is $9; $6 Cinematheque members; $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card. 24-Hour information: 323.466.FILM

THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

American Cinematheque, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
(tel) 323.466-FILM (fax) 323.461.9737 On the web: http://www.egyptiantheatre.com

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GODZILLA 2000; GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS; GODZILLA, MOTHRA & KING GHIDORAH ARE AVAILABLE ON VIDEOTAPE (NTSC) COMMERCIALLY AT LOCAL VIDEOSTORES UNLESS NOTED. SEE LIST BELOW.

Eddie Brandt's Saturday Matinee (5006 Vineland Ave., N. Hollywood- 818.506.4242)
VideoActive (2522 Hyperion, SilverLake - 323.669.8544)
Jerry's Video (1904 Hillhurst, Los Feliz - 323.666.7471)
Rocket Video (726 N. La Brea - 323.965.1100)
Cinefile (11280 Santa Monica Blvd. - Corner of Sawtelle Ave. - 310.312.8836)
Vidiots (302 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica - 310.392.8508)

The Seven Samurai (Shichinin No Samurai), July 2
Topic: Film
UCLA James Bridges Theater, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: $10, Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
www.lafilmfest.com

Japan, 1954, 207 min, B/W, 35mm
In Japanese with English subtitles

Japanese master Akira Kurosawa’s boldly elaborate chambara tale of wandering swordsmen who band together to protect a village against marauding bandits remains a touchstone of the genre.

Famed for its vigorous editing, dynamic compositions and spectacular battle sequences, The Seven Samurai also speaks eloquently about class politics and questions of national identity besetting postwar Japan.

Film Screening: Nobody Knows Mar. 30, 6:00 PM at Irvine City Hall
Topic: Film
The Irvine Multicultural Association and Japan America Society of Southern California present “Nobody Knows” film screening with introduction and discussion by Yuka Kanno Japanese contemporary film expert and UC Irvine Fulbright Scholar:

Time: Thursday, March 30, 6:00 to 8:45 pm
Place: Council Chamber, Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine 92606

Free admission: 1st Come, 1st Served. Light Japanese refreshments prior to the viewing.

RSVP: fax 213-627-1353 tel 213-627-6217 x202 online www.jas-socal.org

Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda's touching film follows the empty lives of 12-year-old Akira (Yuya Yagira) and his three younger siblings (Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura and Momoko Shimizu) after their mother abandons them in a tiny Tokyo apartment. Pragmatic, determined and wise beyond his years, Akira manages the household as best he can--but eventually the money runs out, and the children must find new ways to survive. The movie is based on a real 1988 event best known as the "Affair of the Four Abandoned Children of Nishi-Sugamo". “Nobody Knows” was Japan's entry to the Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film in 2004. Fourteen-year-old Yuya Yagira, who plays as Akira, won the "Best Actor Award" at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

"Kore-eda is the most gifted of the young Japanese directors"
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"Beautiful, elevating and achingly sad"
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"It's a quietly powerful work, pulsing with gentle humor and a gripping sense of imminent calamity and dread"
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

MPAA Rating: PG-13 For mature thematic elements and some sexual references

Japanese Outlaw Masters
Topic: Film
September 9 - 11 at the Egyptian Theatre
September 16 at the Aero Theatre

HOLLYWOOD - The American Cinematheque presents Japanese Outlaw Masters at the Egyptian Theatre (September 9 - 11) and at the Aero Theatre (September 16). After taking a one-year hiatus from our "Japanese Outlaw Masters Series," it is back again with a steel-edged vengeance!

One of the most gratifying results of this series, first started in 1997, is that many of the films we've unearthed have since gone on to be released theatrically and on DVD in the US, and directors such as Kinji Fukasaku, Hideo Gosha, Kihachi Okamoto and others have finally received their long-overdue recognition as true masters of Japanese cinema.

This series coincides with the publication of series founder and Cinematheque programmer Chris D.'s companion volume Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film (2005, Palgrave-Macmillan) (available for sale at all of the screenings), which features profiles and interviews with many of these classic directors, as well as modern masters such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Takashi Miike, and genre icons Sonny Chiba and Meiko Kaji.

This year, the film series goes back to the basics -- samurai, yakuza and action classics from the 1960's and early 1970's –
including Hideo Gosha's swordplay gems GOYOKIN and THE WOLVES;
Kihachi Okamoto's tongue-in-cheek masterpieces, KILL! and AGE OF ASSASSINS;
Kinji Fukasaku's ferocious crime film WOLVES, PIGS AND PEOPLE;
and last, but not least, Seijun Suzuki's mind-altering BRANDED TO KILL.

Plus, two impossibly rare and glorious chanbara treasures:
Hideo Gosha's THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI and Masahiro Shinoda's ASSASSINATION, both long-unavailable in 35 mm. and screening here for the first time in decades!

Screenings are at the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the historic 1922 Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Las Palmas) in Hollywood and at the Max Palevsky Theatre at the Aero Theatre (1328 Montana Ave) in Santa Monica.


Friday, September 9, 2005: Egyptian Theatre
The Friday, September 9th program begins at 7:30 PM with a Double Feature.
First up is a new 35 mm. print of THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI (SANBIKI NO SAMURAI), (1964, Janus Films, 95 min.). Director Hideo Gosha's first feature film is not only one of the most-assured directorial debuts ever, it is also something of a holy-grail for samurai movie aficionados, as it's been notoriously hard-to-see outside of Japan since its initial release - until now.
Janus Films just made a glorious new 35 mm. print of this treasure, in time for our series!
Wandering samurai Tetsuro Tanba is swayed into helping those who can't fend for themselves, in this case starving farmers who have kidnapped a local lord's daughter in protest over unfair taxes. In the process, much blood is shed, and two other swords-for-hire (Mikijiro Hira, Isamu Nagato) become reluctant draftees into Tanba's band of rebels. Gosha's use of the B&W Cinemascope frame is astonishing, with a down-to-earth, hardboiled ambience rarely seen in early 1960s samurai pictures. Add to that Toshiaki Tsushima's atmospheric score and you have a certifiable classic.

Next on the same bill is GOYOKIN (aka OFFICIAL GOLD aka STEEL EDGE OF REVENGE), (1969, Toho, 121 min.). Director Hideo Gosha's samurai masterpiece is an unrelenting vision of snow and fire, ravens screeching and swords flashing in the darkness.
Tatsuya Nakadai stars as a conscience-stricken samurai tortured by his involvement in a past massacre and determined to prevent another. Gosha was forced to reshoot half the film when original co-star Toshiro Mifune walked out (apparently because of the fierce cold!) - and the cold in GOYOKIN is, in truth, all-consuming, freezing hands to swords. A bold, beautifully-shot film. With Tetsuro Tanba, Ruriko Asaoka.

Saturday, September 10, 2005: Egyptian Theatre
The Saturday, September 10th program begins at 5:00 PM with a new 35 mm print of KILL! (KIRU), (1968, Janus Films, 115 min.). The synchronicity of Italy's spaghetti westerns with Japan's samurai genre is nowhere more evident than in this superb, action-packed gem from Kihachi Okamoto (SWORD OF DOOM).
Masaru Sato's Morricone-inflected theme, the super-gritty sequences in a dust-blown ghost town and the sparring of friendly rivals - ex-samurai-turned-gambler Tatsuya Nakadai and wannabe swordsman Etsushi Takahashi - meld together in an exhilarating brew, comparable in pure movie-watching enjoyment to the best of Kurosawa and Sergio Leone. Nakadai's loose comic performance is 180 degrees from his demonic turn in SWORD OF DOOM and testament to his spectacular versatility as a performer.

Following at 7:30 PM is a Double Feature. First up is ASSASINATION (ANSATSU), (1964, Janus Films, 104 min.). Director Masahiro Shinoda's (PALE FLOWER) samurai masterwork is a desolate portrait of a respected swordsman (Tetsuro Tanba) fighting to restore the emperor to power amidst the turmoil of the 1860's. Suddenly he becomes aware of the absurdity of the struggle. Through a maze of flashbacks, we're left to wonder what has spurred his disillusionment, convincing him to slyly manipulate the opposing factions. Tanba's cynicism leads his new shogunate allies to distrust him, and a master swordsman is sent to take him by surprise.
Cinematographer Masao Kosugi and composer Toru Takemitsu (both veterans of PALE FLOWER) return to deliver their stark, atonal purity to the proceedings.

Next on the same bill is WOLVES, PIGS & PEOPLE (OKAMI TO BUTA TO NINGEN), (1964, Toei, 95 min.). One of director Kinji Fukasaku's (GRAVEYARD OF HONOR) first critically-acclaimed efforts is also one of the grittiest, angriest yakuza thrillers ever made.
Legendary tough guy Ken Takakura plays a lone-wolf hood who convinces his younger sibling (Kinya Kitaoji) to recruit his youth gang to help rob elder brother Rentaro Mikuni's mob. Events spiral out-of-control as filial ties crumble in noirishly downbeat fashion. Awe-inspiring, topped off with Isao Tomita's amazing hybrid score of lounge jazz, Coltrane-esque squawk and distorted surf guitar.

Sunday, September 11, 2005: Egyptian Theatre
The Sunday, September 11th program begins at 6:00 PM with a Double Feature. First up is AGE OF ASSASSINS (SATSUJIN KYOJIDAI), (1967, Toho, 99 min.).
Director Kihachi Okamoto's (KILL!) sharp-edged, action lampoon compares favorably with such other mod 1960s treasures as Elio Petri's THE 10TH VICTIM and Seijun Suzuki's BRANDED TO KILL.
Tatsuya Nakadai, a glasses-wearing nebbish who is magically transformed into a suave secret agent, is stuck with limited resources, including a smog-belching junkheap of an automobile, as he does battle with a maniacal asylum director (Eisei Amamoto) dispatching unhinged killers to bring Japan to its knees.

Next on the same bill is BRANDED TO KILL (KOROSHI NO RAKUIN), (1967, Janus Films, 91 min.). Director Seijun Suzuki's tour-de-force magnum opus is a jawdropping, Pop Art deconstruction of not only gangster films but, more specifically, Nikkatsu Studio's own hitman subgenre. Excessive violence as well as dreamlike surrealism envelops an assassin (Joe Shishido) known as Number Three Killer after he botches a job, and both his mercenary wife (Mariko Ogawa) and a stoic hitwoman (Annu Mari) start trying to kill him. When Number One Killer (Koji Nanbara) steps in, the mind games escalate to a terrifyingly absurd level.

Sunday, September 16, 2005: Aero Theatre
The Sunday, September 16th program begins at 7:30 PM with THE WOLVES (SHUSSO IWAI), (1971, Toho, 130 min.). Director Hideo Gosha's epic chronicle of two warring yakuza clans in 1920s Japan rivals Coppola's THE GODFATHER in its scope and density, and Peckinpah's THE WILD BUNCH in its astonishing savagery.
Ex-con Tatsuya Nakadai becomes progressively more disillusioned with his underworld brethren in a swirl of personal betrayals, doomed love affairs and bone-splintering violence.
A brilliant mixture of traditional themes and contemporary elements, including Masaru Sato's jazz-influenced score, enrich this amazing film. With Noboru Ando, Toshio Kurosawa, Tetsuro Tanba. Screening will be preceded by a booksigning by Cinematheque programmer and writer, Chris D., celebrating the release of his new book, Outlaw Masters Of Japanese Film (Palgrave-Macmillan, $19.98).

THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI (Japanese with English subtitles)
GOYOKIN (Japanese with English subtitles)
BRANDED TO KILL (Japanese with English subtitles)
THE WOLVES (Japanese with English subtitles)
ASSASSINATION (Japanese with NO English subtitles)
WOLVES, PIGS & PEOPLE (Japanese with NO English subtitles)
AGE OF ASSASSINS (Japanese with NO English subtitles)

A complete calendar/flyer listing of these films is available on our website: http://americancinematheque.com
General Admission is $9. Double Features are two films for one admission price.
There is generally a 7 - 10 minute intermission between films.
24-Hour information: 323.466.FILM

L A Short Film Festival at ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, September 6-13
Topic: Film
“LA Shorts Fest” is the largest short film festival in the world, screening 600 films of every category from 28 different countries.
This year the Festival also includes Spotlight on LA Filmmaker Showcase, informative panel discussions, Wet & Wild Parties, High School Students Run Amuck Day and concluding with the precious Shorty Awards.

LA Shorts Fest is one of the few festivals accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

In past years, 20 participants have earned Academy Award nominations, with 6 filmmakers actually taking home the Oscar. Last year’s festival drew more than 10,000 moviegoers and filmmakers.

Along with creating a forum for young filmmakers just beginning their careers, we have also honored some of Hollywood’s legends of the past: Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Robert Wise; along with actors Martin Landau, James Woods, Gary Oldman and directors Tim Burton and Bryan Singer. Don’t miss the Best of LA Shorts Fest award winning films screening September 14-16 only at the ArcLight.

For further information visit www.lashortsfest.com
(323) 851.9100