02/20/2015 7pm
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017

It’s Me Here, Bellett
私のベレット(Watashi no Beretto)
U.S. Premiere

One of the few films produced by the Directors Guild of Japan was a promotional film for the Isuzu Bellett- a sedan car that began manufacture in Japan in 1963. Starting with Yasujiro Ozu as advisor to the script, the credits include a slew of A-list film directors such as Heinosuke Gosho and Yoshitaro Nomura with a hip jazz soundtrack by jazz pianist and composer Hachidai Nakamura (also famous for being the composer of the hit song “Sukiyaki”). This mid-length movie is composed of 3 parts, each featuring the Bellett prominently. Each part utilizes different colors to produce different moods, with part 2 starring Akiko Koyama, Oshima’s wife. Originally made for television, It’s Me Here, Bellett is a must-watch for Oshima fans as this will be the first ever official screening in the U.S.

8 Experimental Shorts by Osamu Tezuka

The grandfather of anime, Osamu Tezuka, creator of legendary works such as Astro Boy and Buddha also made experimental shorts to explore the possibilities of animation. Series curator John Zorn selects 8 of his favorite shorts for this screening preceding It’s Me Here, Bellett.

TICKETS
$12/$9 Japan Society members, seniors & students

For more information, please visit
http://www.japansociety.org/event/matango-fungus-of-terror