LOVE LETTER
1953, Japan, 96 min, B&W, 16mm, PG
Directed by TANAKA Kinuyo

FILM SCREENINGS - 24th August

THE ETERNAL BREASTS
1955, Japan, 110 min, B&W, 35mm, NC16
Directed by TANAKA Kinuyo

A biopic of Tanka (a form of Japanese poetry) poet Nakajo Fumiko, who passed away at 32 after a turbulent life and fierce struggle against breast cancer. Beginning with Fumiko’s unhappy divorce, Tanaka illuminates Fumiko’s life as a single mother and budding poet, and finally her stoic battle with breast cancer. As with all of Tanaka’s films, THE ETERNAL BREASTS provides a filmic view of Japanese society through a woman’s eyes.

SCREENING · 24 Aug Sun 4.30pm

Distribution: Nikkatsu, Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation

A HEN IN THE WIND
1948, Japan, 72 min, B&W, 35mm, PG
Directed by OZU Yasujiro

With her husband Shuichi away at the frontline, young mother Tokiko is forced to prostitute herself for one night to pay for her son’s emergency medical treatment. Upon her husband’s return, he reacts with shocking savagery when he discovers what happened. Ozu shows how women often feel the miseries of war more keenly than men, but his complex characterisation preempts any easy judgments.

SCREENING · 24 Aug Sun 7.30pm

Distribution: Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation
ABDUCTION: THE MEGUMI YOKOTA STORY
2006, Japan, 85 min, Colour, Digital, PG
Directed by Patty KIM, Chris SHERIDAN

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SCREENING · 24 Aug Sun 11.00am (BY INVITATION ONLY)

Distribution: Embassy of Japan

Actress Tanaka Kinuyo’s directorial debut. Mayumi, a well-educated ex-naval officer, spends his time between translation work and searching postwar Tokyo streets for his love Michiko, who was forced to marry another man while Mayumi was at sea. He finds work writing love letters for the Japanese mistresses of American servicemen, and unexpectedly meets Michiko, now a mistress of an American soldier herself.

SCREENING · 24 Aug Sun 2.15pm

Distribution: Shin Toho, Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation