ARCHIVED ONLINE EVENT - The Japan Society Film Club: Sailor Suit and Machine Gun directed by Shinji Somai
Date
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Time
6.30pm (BST)
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Booking Details
Online meeting on Zoom
Please register for the meeting in advance from the link below. After registering, you will receive an automated confirmation email with meeting access details (please check your spam folder if you don't receive any emails).
Free for members of The Japan Society
Please remember to watch the film in advance.
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun is available to watch on Arrow Player (with subscription) and to rent and buy on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Please help us to keep this event free and open to all!The Japan Society is a charity and its activities are made possible thanks to the support of its members. If you are planning to attend this event and are not a member (as an individual or through your employer), please consider becoming a member or making a donation if you can - the recommended donation is £5. Thank you!   |
In Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (1981), a teenage girl inherits a yakuza clan in a surprising blend of crime, satire and coming-of-age drama. Be part of our film club discussion on this unique film by Shinji Somai.
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (セーラー服と機関銃, Sera-fuku to kikanju, 1981) is a unique Japanese yakuza film based on the novel of the same name by Jiro Akagawa. The film stars Hiroko Yakushimaru as Izumi Hoshi, a high school girl who unexpectedly inherits her father's yakuza clan. Thrust into the criminal underworld, Izumi must navigate the challenges of leadership while maintaining her youthful innocence. The film is notable for its satirical take on the yakuza genre, blending elements of coming-of-age drama with action. It features Somai's signature long takes and expressive cinematography, and the theme song, sung by Yakushimaru, became a major hit in Japan.
Shinji Somai (1948-2001) was a renowned Japanese film director celebrated for his innovative use of long takes and his focus on coming-of-age themes. Born in Iwate Prefecture, he directed 13 films between 1980 and 2000, including the critically acclaimed Typhoon Club (1985), Moving (1993), and Wait and See (1998). His work often explored the emotional landscapes of youth and the complexities of human relationships. Somai's distinctive style and contributions to Japanese cinema have influenced many contemporary filmmakers.
Do you love Japanese film classics, anime or contemporary cinema stories? Do you miss Japan and want to see it at least on screen? Would you like to learn and discuss about Japanese culture and society? The Japan Society Film Club is an online space to chat about films and Japan in an informal atmosphere. It take place on the first Wednesday of the month. We recommend a film to watch in advance and meet online to discuss. Films are often available online for free, to rent or with subscription, on DVD/Blu Ray or on BFI player. The event is open to all and we encourage participants to freely express their opinions and feelings about the films.
If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.