ONLINE EVENT - The Japan Society Film Club: Black Rain directed by Shohei Imamura

Date
Thursday 8 August 2024
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 a 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.
Black Rain is also available to watch online on Amazon UK and Arrow Films.

Please help us to keep this event free and open to all! The activities of The Japan Society 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 August, our film club will discuss Shohei Imamura's Black Rain, exploring the lasting impact of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing.

Black Rain (黒い雨, Kuroi ame, 1989), directed by Shohei Imamura, is a harrowing portrayal of the aftermath of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. The film follows the lives of Shizuma Shigematsu and his niece Yasuko, survivors of the atomic blast, as they grapple with the physical and psychological traumas inflicted by the event. Set in post-war Japan, the narrative delves into the societal stigma and discrimination faced by those exposed to radiation, known as "hibakusha." Imamura masterfully captures the anguish and resilience of the survivors, offering a poignant commentary on the enduring effects of war and the resilience of the human spirit.

Shohei Imamura (1926-2006) was one of the most recognised filmmakers in post-war Japanese cinema. After graduating from university, Imamura began his career as an assistant to Yasujirō Ozu at Shochiku Studios and then moved to Nikkatsu where he made his debut film, Stolen Desire in 1958. After a few light-hearted films, he went on to direct more controversial works such as Pigs and Battleships (1961), The Insect Woman (1963) and Unholy Desire (1964), becoming one of the leading figures of the so-called “Japanese New Wave”. In 1965, he founded Imamura Productions and directed independent features such as The Pornographers (1966) and The Profound Desire of the Gods (1968). He has also directed documentary films focusing on post-war Japanese history from the point of view of individual women such as History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar Hostess (1970). He is the only Japanese director to have twice won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival - for The Ballad of Narayama and The Eel (1997).

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.