TOPICS

The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (ACA) and Japan Society, in collaboration with the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), announced the second ACA Cinema Project series Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors, a hybrid program with 18 films streaming in the U.S. on Japan Society’s Virtual Cinema from December 3-23, 2021 and two in-person screenings in Japan Society’s auditorium in NYC on December 11 and 17.

Highlighting the early efforts of now-established contemporary filmmakers, Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors takes an intimate look at six of Japan’s most well-known directors: Naomi Kawase, Miwa Nishikawa, Shuichi Okita, Junji Sakamoto, Akihiko Shiota and Masayuki Suo. In addition to that, six breakout films by up-and-coming Japanese filmmakers will be presented free-of-charge.

We are also proud to present, in collaboration with the National Film Archive of Japan, two new 4K restorations of films by master filmmaker Sadao Yamanaka: Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo, a North American premiere and Priest of Darkness, an International premiere—to screen exclusively on-site in Japan Society’s auditorium.

Lastly, the special talk session videos available to stream worldwide for free as part of Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors. Please enjoy it from Japan and beyond.

All online films available through film.japansociety.org, presented in Japanese with English subtitles within the U.S. from December 3-23 unless otherwise noted. Titles also available beyond the U.S. are noted below. Lineup and other details are subject to change. For complete information visit japansociety.org.

Debut Works and Recent Films

Films listed alphabetically by the name of directors. Screening online only.

Films by Naomi Kawase
Suzaku, 1997 (Available to stream in the U.S. and Canada.)
Vision, 2018 (Available to stream in the U.S.)

Films by Miwa Nishikawa
Wild Berries, 2003 (Available to stream in the U.S.)
The Long Excuse, 2016 (Available to stream in the U.S.)

Films by Shuichi Okita
The Chef of South Polar, 2009 (Available to stream in North America.)
Ora, Ora Be Goin’ Alone, 2020 (Available to stream in North America.)

Films by Junji Sakamoto
Knockout, 1989 (Available to stream in North America.)
The Projects, 2016 (Available to stream in the U.S. and Canada.)

Films by Akihiko Shiota
Farewell Song, 2019 (Available to stream in North America.)
Harmful Insect, 2002 (Available to stream in North America.)

Films by Masayuki Suo
Fancy Dance, 1989 (Available to stream in North America.)
Talking the Pictures, 2019 (Available to stream in North America.)

Focus on Sadao Yamanaka
in collaboration with National Film Archive of Japan.

Films listed alphabetically by title. In-person only.

Priest of Darkness (4K Restoration), 1936
International Premiere
Friday, December 17 at 7:00pm

Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo (4K Restoration—Longest Version), 1935
North American Premiere
Saturday, December 11 at 7:00pm

Filmmakers on the Rise

Films listed alphabetically by title. All films are FREE to stream. Online only.
Available to stream in North America

The Albino’s Trees Dir. Masakazu Kaneko, 2016
Blue Hour Dir. Yuko Hakota, 2019
A Boy Sato Dir. Omoi Sasaki, 2017
Forgiven Children Dir. Eisuke Naito, 2020
Jesus Dir. Hiroshi Okuyama, 2019
My Atomic Aunt Dir. Kyoko Miyake, 2013