Pre-Summer Explorers! 2018 London Japanese Film Screenings

Date: 2018 July 17 19:18

Posted by Joe

The good folks from the Japan Foundation in London have sent us details of their up coming film season. As is tradition they have a series of screenings called Summer Explorers, but this year it's been so successful they've decided to have a Pre-Summer Explorers! cinema season too. Set to run on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Saturday 11th August 2018 around Central London.

They've got some really good movies including Ghibli classic Only Yesterday, fan favourite Summer Wars by Mamoru Hosoda. Along with other classics such as Beat Takeshi's Kikujiro.

The screenings are free to attend, but booking in advance is required. As always we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

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Details as follows:

Pre-Summer Explorers!

From anime to 70's horror, drama to eye-opening documentaries, discover something for everyone with our brand new season of free Japanese cinema screenings.

Saturday 4 August 2018 - 4 Richmond Mews (via Richmond Buildings), London, W1D 3DH


>NHK WORLD-JAPAN Double Bill (Part 1)

5.15pm (English Subtitles)
A Tale of Love & Honour: Life in Gion
Dir. Maki Kubochi, 2017, 49min
Take a peek into the distinct district of Gion in Kyoto and witness the proud and wistful stories of people belonging to this secret world in this fascinating documentary from NHK WORLD-JAPAN.

Living Ninja Legend Masaaki Hatsumi
Dir. Fuyuhiko Nishi, 2016, 41 min
Masaaki Hatsumi, 84 years old, is a living ninja in modern times. What is the essence of his astonishing art? This documentary investigates the hidden power of this ninja master.


House

7:20pm (English subtitles, suitable for ages 15+) Dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi, 1977, 88min
Miyuki (Kimiko Ikegami) decides to take six of her friends to her aunt's house in the countryside, and one by one, strange things start happening to them.

Sunday 5 August 2018: Courthouse Hotel Cinema - 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HL


Summer Wars

2.15pm (suitable for ages 12+) Dir. Mamoru Hosoda, 2009, 114min

Maths genius Kenji is invited by his crush Natsuki on a summer trip. He receives a strange, coded message on his cell phone from an unknown sender who challenges him to solve it. Will Kenji be able to crack the code and save the world from danger?


NHK WORLD-JAPAN Double Bill (Part 2)

4.30pm (English subtitles)
My Small Steps from Hiroshima
2016, 50min
Kaoru Ogura dedicated his life to telling the world about Hiroshima, where the first atomic bomb was dropped. This documentary recounts the life and work of Ogura and his fellow anti-nuclear activists.

The Phone of the Wind: Whispers to Lost Families
2016, 49 min
On a hill overlooking the sea in northern Japan is a phone booth known as the "Phone of the Wind". It is connected to nowhere, but many people come here to "call" their loved ones lost in the 2011 tsunami...


Kikujiro

6.40pm (English subtitles, suitable for ages 12+) Dir. Takeshi Kitano, 1999, 122min
Young Masao decides to embark on a journey to find his long-lost mother. His elderly neighbour Kikujiro (Takeshi Kitano) decides to accompany him on his trip.


Saturday, 11 August 2018: Soho Hotel Cinema - 4 Richmond Mews (via Richmond Buildings), London, W1D 3DH


Only Yesterday

2.15pm (English subtitles, PG) Dir. Isao Takahata, 1991, 118min
Office worker Taeso decides to take a break from Tokyo during the summer to spend time in the countryside, somewhere she hasn't been for nearly two decades. Along the way, her childhood memories come pouring back to her.


Napping Princess

4.40pm (English subtitles, PG) Dir. Kenji Kamiyama, 1991, 111min
Kokone should be studying for her university entrance exams, but when she sleeps, her daily life is swapped for the fantastic world of Heartland.

Mitsuko Delivers

7.00pm (English subtitles) Dir. Yuya Ishii, 2011, 109min
After being dumped by the boyfriend whose baby she's carrying, Mitsuko decides to go back to her hometown to help those around her.


Short Japanese Language Taster Sessions on 11th August!
3.30pm-6.30pm, Screen 2 @ Soho Hotel Cinema
Have you ever wanted to introduce yourself like a Japanese film character?

We will be running short language taster sessions for beginners focusing on Japanese in Anime/Manga. Anyone can drop by and take part, so please come along to get involved!