02/21/2015 2pm
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017

LEGEND OF THE FOREST, PART 1
森の伝説 (MORI NO DENSETSU)

Osamu Tezuka initially conceived Legend of the Forest as a four-part film chronicling the history of animation, each part corresponding to a movement in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Op. 36, that would pay homage to Walt Disney. Over the course of ten years, the godfather of anime was only able to complete the first and fourth movements of the piece before his passing.

The first movement begins with still drawings, indicating the very beginning of animation, and seamlessly moves through innovations in animation techniques as it tells the story of an orphaned squirrel and the miseries caused by one human hunter. In the fourth movement, the film mood shifts considerably as mass-scale deforestation endangers the forest spirits. Tezuka’s anti-war and pro-nature themes come together in this triumphant visual masterpiece.

1988, 29 min., Blu-ray, color, no dialogue. Directed by Osamu Tezuka.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
LEGEND OF THE FOREST, PART 2
森の伝説第二楽章 (MORI NO DENSETSU DAINIGAKUSHO)

Using the notes and synopsis that his father left behind, animator and artist Macoto Tezka completed the second movement 25 years after his father’s death. Legend of the Forest, Part 2 premiered at the prestigious 2014 Hiroshima International Animation Festival.

2014, 11 min., Blu-ray, color, no dialogue. Directed by Macoto Tezka.

Preceded by
JUMPING
ジャンピング (JANPINGU)

A jumping child, whose jumps become bigger and bigger and travel greater and greater distances, eventually jumping into a warring nation that suggests a glimpse into the endpoint of humanity. Winner of the Grand Prize and the UNESCO award at the 6th Zagreb International Animation Festival.

1984, 6 min., Blu-ray, color, no dialogue. Directed by Osamu Tezuka.

BROKEN DOWN FILM
おんぼろフィルム (ONBORO FIRUMU)

Tezuka intentionally manipulated the film to look damaged as an homage to American comedy animations of the silent era. A hero sets out to help a damsel in distress but he finds himself having to fight both the villain and the deterioration of the film itself.

1985, 6 min., Blu-ray, color, no dialogue. Directed by Osamu Tezuka.

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

For more information, please visit
http://www.japansociety.org/event/special-screening-legend-of-the-forest-parts-1-2