Japanese Films at Ames Public Library
Today is 7/29/2010
In Japanese with English captions, unless otherwise noted.
Audition (DVD FOREIGN AUD) 115 min. 1999.
Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi), a middle-aged widower of many years, is urged by his son and film producer friend Yoshikawa (Jun Kunimura) to start dating again. Yoshikawa plans to hold a phony audition for a non-existent film. After interviewing 30 young hopefuls, Aoyama falls for the actress Asami (Eihi Shina), a former ballerina with a suspicious past.
An Autumn Afternoon (DVD FOREIGN AUT) 113 min. 1962.
After living alone with his daughter for years, a widower must learn how to let her go, letting her be free to move on with her life, by arranging a marriage for her.
The Bad Sleep Well (DVD FOREIGN BAD) 150 min. 1960.
A grieving son (Toshiro Mifune) seeks revenge for his father's murder as he infiltrates the corrupt construction company that was responsible for his father’s death.
The Ballad of Narayama (DVD FOREIGN BAL) 130 min. 1983.
In a village, everyone who reaches the age of 70 is banished to the top of Mt. Narayama to die, so as not to be a burden on the village and bring disgrace upon their family. Orin is 69 and, despite being in good health, her time is coming. First, though, she has things to do and a score to settle.
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi; Sonatine (DVD FOREIGN BLI) 2 discs.
1. The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi 116 min. 2003.
Japanese screen legend Beat Takeshi stars in an action-packed, award-winning film that has been compared to Kill Bill Volume One.
2. Sonatine: 94 min. 1998. Beat Takeshi stars in a fast and furious gangland thriller with an edgy Pulp Fiction attitude.
The Burmese Harp (DVD FOREIGN BUR) In Japanese and Burmese, with English captions. 116 min. 1956.
In July 1945, Japan's army is on the run. A platoon in Burma sings to keep its spirit up, inspired by their self-taught lute player, Mizushima. Awaiting repatriation at war's end in Mudon prison camp, Mizushima is sent to convince a recalcitrant Japanese company to surrender. The British attack and his companions fear he has been killed, but he has survived, disguised as a Buddhist priest. En route back to Mudon, overwhelmed by the frequent sight of dead Japanese soldiers, he vows to live a life of prayer, burying bones and bodies rather than returning to Japan.
Chaos (DVD FOREIGN CHA) 104 min. 1999.
After a Japanese businessman's trophy wife vanishes, ransom demands arrive and the police are summoned. As the truth unfolds, "Chaos" transforms from a precision neo-noir to a macabre thriller and ultimately into a sexual gothic.
Drunken Angel (DVD FOREIGN DRU) 98 min. 1948.
A yakuza mobster suffering from tuberculosis enters into an unusual relationship with an alcoholic doctor.
Early Summer (DVD FOREIGN EAR) 125 min. 1951.
In post-war Japan, a young woman must make the choice between pleasing her family and pleasing herself when faced with marriage to a man she does not love.
Flirt (VIDEO FOREIGN FLI) In Japanese, English, and German, with English captions. 85 min. 1995.
An intriguing look at conflicting messages of desire and deceit in three separate stories between three different couples in New York, Berlin, and Tokyo.
Gate of Hell (VIDEO FOREIGN GAT) 90 min. 1953.
Based on a real crime committed in Japan in 1159, this is the story of a samurai who accidentally murders the woman he loves and becomes a monk to expiate his offense.
The Go Masters (VIDEO FOREIGN GO) 134 min. 1983.
International conflicts arise because of the ascendance of a Chinese master of the game of Go. He must make the terrible choice between retaining his Chinese citizenship or becoming Japanese when he defeats the Japanese champion.
Good Morning (DVD FOREIGN GOO) 93 min. 1959.
Satiric comedy in which two brothers refuse to talk until their parents agree to buy them a television set. Set in a 1950s residential suburb of Tokyo.
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