Japan Society then celebrates iconoclastic Japanese director Takashi Miike with the North American Premiere of Lumberjack the Monster on May 6. Opening in Japanese theaters just this past December, Lumberjack the Monster delivers the director’s trademark horror and humor in a cat-and-mouse chase between a serial killer and a psychopathic lawyer hot on his trail. Lumberjack the Monster is presented together with the upcoming Tribeca Festival’s Escape from Tribeca program in honor of the film’s forthcoming Netflix release. It will include a pre-screening reception featuring beverages generously donated by Sapporo-Stone Brewing and Brooklyn Kura.
Lastly, Japan Society will celebrate its 117th birthday with a members-only screening and reception on May 19 featuring Juzo Itami’s Tampopo, an essential foodie fever dream. Tampopo is an eclectic film about a woman’s journey to save her ramen shop featuring an eccentric all-star cast including a young Koji Yakusho and Ken Watanabe. Tampopo will conclude with a birthday reception featuring cupcakes, sparkling wine, and beverages generously donated by Sapporo-Stone Brewing and Brooklyn Kura.
“We’re honored to present three diverse screenings showcasing three very different elements of Japanese cinema,” said Peter Tatara, Japan Society's Director of Film. “We welcome audiences across New York to discover rare, new, and meaningful Japanese films together with us.”
As previously announced, Japan Society will also launch the first John and Miyoko Davey Classic Film Series focused on Hiroshi Shimizu, one of the forgotten masters of Japanese cinema, from May 16 to June 1.
Tickets for all events are available now at japansociety.org/film.