| 2004-08-02 | | | The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library Friday Theater (August–September) |
On the second and fourth Fridays of each month the YIDFF Organizing Committee holds screenings of films which are not shown at commercial theaters, such as documentary films including the Film Library Collection films, pre-war Japanese films, masterpieces, independent works, experimental films, and animation at the 40-seat theater. Tomonokai (support) members can join the Friday Theater for free (membership fee is 1,000 yen for six months). Anyone is welcome to join the Tomonokai.
The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library Friday Theater
- Family Portrait: Japan in the 1960s and 70s, Part 1
• August 13 (Fri) 14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice) *No English subtitles - People of Ryumon (“Ryumon no hitobito”)
Horiuchi Masaru / JAPAN / 1968 / 40 min
Heart of the Family (“Kazoku no kokoro”)
Kaneko Seigo / JAPAN / 1968 / 32 min
Mothers of Okinawa (“Okinawa no hahatachi”)
Oshima Zensuke / JAPAN / 1970 / 30 min
A fifty-year chronicle of the hardships faced by residents of a mandarin orange-growing village, People of Ryumon; the fortunes of a close-knit family and the movement to prevent tuberculosis unfold in Heart of the Family; and a revelatory examination of the issues that challenged Okinawa and its inhabitants after 27 years of American occupation, Mothers of Okinawa. Join us as we take a look back at Japan in the 1960s and 70s.
YIDFF 2003 Encore Screenings Part 11
• August 27 (Fri) 14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice)- Shepherds’ Journey into the Third Millennium
Erich Langjahr / SWITZERLAND / 2002 / 124 min - Related screening 16:30 (once only)
- Alpine Ballad
Erich Langjahr / SWITZERLAND / 1996 / 100 min
A flock of several hundred sheep. Lambs are born, milk is milked and bread is baked. Shepherd’s Journey into the Third Millennium from YIDFF 2003’s International Competition captures the everyday lives of a family of Swiss shepherds, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Swiss Alps. In accompaniment is a special once-only screening of director Erich Langjahr’s earlier documentary, Alpine Ballad (YIDFF ’97 International Competition entry).
Family Portrait: Japan in the 1960s and 70s, Part 2
• September 10 (Fri) 14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice) *No English subtitles- The Old Man and the Fishing Boat (“Sappa to rojin”)
Horiuchi Masaru / JAPAN / 1966 / 36 min
The Road to Employment (“Shokugyo e no michi”)
Horiuchi Masaru / JAPAN / 1970 / 37 min
Chidori and the Children (“Chidori to kodomotachi”)
Horiuchi Masaru / JAPAN / 1973 / 31 min
The Old Man and the Fishing Boat tells the story of an elderly man who fishes aboard a boat called “Sappa.” The Road to Employment is about a young worker who ends up getting divorced three years after finding employment. Chidori and the Children depicts children who begin observing plovers, and in the process discover the preciousness of life and the difficulties entailed in its protection. This program is the second part of the Japan in the 1960s and 70s series.
Changing Times, Changing Songs: The Making of a Citizen’s Orchestra
• September 24 (Fri) 14:00, 18:00 (program screens twice) *No English subtitles- The Spring (“Koko ni izumi ari”)
Imai Tadashi / Cast: Okada Eiji, Kishi Keiko, Kobayashi Keiju / JAPAN / 1955 / 150 min
This famous film depicts the early years of the Takasaki Citizen’s Orchestra (formed in 1945), predecessor of the path-breaking Gunma Philharmonic Orchestra. The film weaves together numerous favorite works and children’s songs as it depicts the obstacles overcome in the process of creating the orchestra. Features appearances by composer Yamada Kosaku and pianist Muroi Mayako.
YIDFF 2003 Encore Screenings Part 12
• October 8 (Fri) 14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice)- Nee Engey—Where Are You
R. V. Ramani / INDIA / 2003 / 153 min
Changing Times, Changing Songs, Part 2: The World of Oldie Songs in Film
• October 22 (Fri) 14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice) *No English subtitles- Kimitachi ga ite boku ga ita
Takamori Ryuichi / Cast: Funaki Kazuo, Honma Chiyoko, Chiba Shinichi / JAPAN / 1964 / 90 min
[Venue] The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library (Yamagata Big Wing 3F)
[Admission] Free for Tomonokai members. (Membership fee: 1,000 yen for six months)
[Contact] phone: 023-666-4480 (Yamagata office)