Japan Society is a great place to catch Japanese cinema here in New York. If you’re around in April, you’ll definitely want to check out Japan Sings! This film series (curated by Michael Raine) runs from April 8th to April 23rd, and will showcase classic Japanese movie musicals all in 35mm.
In addition to 50s and 60s gems such as You Can Succeed, Too and Oh, Bomb!, the series will also feature two more recent cult favorites: Takashi Miike’s The Happiness of the Katakuris and Tetsuya Nakashima’s Memories of Matsuko.
Here’s a trailer for the Japan Sings! series.
The final double feature of The Happiness of the Katakuris and Memories of Matsuko is pretty special for me.
The Happiness of the Katakuris is my favorite Miike movie by far, reminiscent of Hausu (House) and other films by Nobuhiko Obayashi. As for Memories of Matsuko, it’s one of my favorite movies of all time. (I even think it should be added to the Criterion Collection.) Rarely have I seen something so emotionally devastating yet utterly beautiful.
For tickets and more information about Japan Sings! and other programs at Japan Society, click here or visit japansociety.org.
