ARCHIVED ONLINE EVENT - Japan Society Film Club: Kikujiro directed by Takeshi Kitano

Date
Wednesday 7 April 2021
Time
6.30pm (BST)
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Booking Details
Free - Booking essential
Priority for Japan Society Members

Please remember to watch the film in advance. Kikujiro is available on Amazon Prime Video (rent & buy) and on MUBI with subscription.

The activities of the Japan Society are made possible thanks to the support of its members. This event is free of charge and open to all. We realise that this is a difficult time for many people. However, if you are planning to attend and do not have a membership subscription as an individual or through your employer, please consider making a donation. You can find details of membership and how to join the Japan Society community here.

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? Join us for the new Japan Society Film Club where we will chat online about films and Japan in an informal atmosphere.

For the Film Club in April we invite you to watch the hilarious and tender film Kikujiro directed by Takeshi Kitano in 1999.

Kikujiro (菊次郎の夏, Kikujirō no Natsu, 1999) is a coming-of-age / road-movie written and directed by the irreverent Takeshi Kitano, with a brilliant soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi. Masao is a lonely 9-year-old boy who lives alone with his grandmother in Tokyo. After finding a photo of his mother with her address, he leaves home during the summer holiday to find her. Masao is accompanied by his neighbour Kikujiro (played by Kitano himself), a “good for nothing” man who has never had any serious responsibilities. Together they embark on a quirky and funny journey across Japan.

Takeshi Kitano (1947-), also known as Beat Takeshi, is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, actor, filmmaker, and author. He started his career as stand-up manzai comedian becoming popular in the 1980s as part of a duo called “Two Beats” and in TV programs such as Takeshi’s Castle. After a few acting roles, including Nagisa Oshima's Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, he directed his first film Violent Cop in 1989. Following the domestic success of his third film A Scene at the Sea (1991), Kitano gained international recognition with Sonatine (1993) presented at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Golden Lion award at Venice Film Festival in 1997 for Hana-bi. Since then, Kitano has continued directing films such as Kikujiro (1999), Dolls (2002), Zatoichi (2003) and Outrage (2010) as well as working as an actor and TV comedian and personality.

Japan Society Film Club takes place on the first Wednesday of the month. We will recommend a film to watch in advance and meet online to discuss. Films are often available online for free, on DVD, online platforms or on BFI player which includes a special season on Japanese cinema. When possible, we will invite film experts to introduce and lead the discussion, but 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.

Booking Info