Japan Foundation Tour: The Highs and Lows of Life in Japanese Cinema

Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016

Season

Please note : this season finished in Feb 2016

Ikiru: The Highs and Lows of Life in Japanese Cinema

The hugely successful Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme returns to Watershed with another exciting lineup showcasing the versatility and uniqueness of Japanese cinema both past and present. This year's programme takes inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s classic Ikiru (To Live) and looks at the way in which Japanese filmmakers have been observing and capturing people’s lives through a varied programme of old classics, animation and contemporary films, and has got a little something for everyone. Tanoshinde kudasai!

During the season we'll be serving a variety of Japanese food specials in the Café/Bar suitable for all - on the main menu expect the likes of Curry Udon Soup, Chicken or Pork Katsu Curry, Spicy Beef Noodle Salad, Sesame Crusted Tuna and more - and for children we'll be cooking up a range of dishes like Vegetable Tempura, Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs with Noodles and Panko Breaded Fish. The selection will change each day so take a look at the specials board for the latest!

Presented in collaboration with the Japan Foundation and supported by Japan Airlines, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Okinawa Film Office and The Japan Centre.

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Ticket prices: Screenings before 16:00: £6.50 full / £4.50 concessions. Screenings after 16:00: £9.00 full / £6.50 concessions / £4.50 aged 25 and under.

Season Special Offer: Buy tickets for five films within the season and get the cheapest ticket free. This offer is not available online. Please call our box office team on 0117 927 5100

Our celebration of all things Japanese also continues throughout February with classic animation Howl's Moving Castle screening daily at 12:40 between Mon 8 - Fri 12 Feb and the RAM Motion Capture Showcase on Fri 12 Feb developed by Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM).


Previous screenings in this season

Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days

classified 12A S Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016
Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2016
Film

Drawing on social issues in Japan surrounding its ageing population and based on the autobiographical comic by Yuuichi Okano, this heart-warming comedy depicts a middle-aged comic artist’s humorous and touching relationship with his elderly, dementia-suffering mother.

The Elegant Life of Mr Everyman

classified 18 (CTBA) S Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016
The Elegant Life of Everyman
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2016
Film

Based on the popular magazine series by Hitomi Yamaguchi and falling within the popular genre of Salaryman Comedies, this Japanese classic depicts the life of everyman Eburi (played by Keiju Kobayashi in a career-defining role), and his mixed feelings about Japan’s social and economic outcome of the Second World War.

Noriben - The Recipe for Fortune

classified 12A S Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016
Noriben - The Recipe for Fortune
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2016
Film

Guaranteed to whet your appetite, this is a heartfelt human drama traces a single mother’s journey to independence after an appetising revelation sees her decide to pursue the opening of her own bento shop.

Uzumasa Limelight

classified 12A S Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016
Uzumasa Limelight
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2016
Film

A moving, nostalgic drama about the actors behind the golden age of chanbara cinema (the distinctive samurai sword-fighting genre for which Japan is famous), this award-wining film tells the admirable story of Seiichi, a veteran kirareyaku (or sliced-up) actor whose main job is to be dramatically and convincingly killed-off by the lead star.

Miss Hokusai

classified 12A S Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016
Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2016
Film

Set in early 19th century Japan, and based on the original 1980’s manga series Sarusuberi by female artist Hinako Sugiura, this award-winning animation brings to life the story of O-Ei, a free-spirited woman overshadowed by her larger-than-life artist father - the ukiyo-e master and printmaker, Katsushika Hokusai.

The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky + Director's Q&A

classified 18 S Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016
The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2016
Film

Fearless in its examination of hot-button topics like transgressive sex and cyber-age voyeurism, Director Yuki Tanada confirms herself as one of Japan’s most talented filmmakers with this emotionally engaging drama and bold expression of the inner lives, hardships and cooped-up feelings of individuals in modern day Japan.

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