Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme: Flora on the Sand

One evening while at the Marine Tower observatory, cosmetics salesman Ichiro Iki is drawn into conversation with an unfamiliar young lady, Akiko. She invites Ichiro back to a hotel where they make love, but part without even exchanging names. A week later, they have a second chance encounter at the observatory and return to his hotel, where Akiko begs Ichiro to give her sister Kyoko absolute hell. Akiko resents her sister for lecturing on chastity, while wantonly indulging in promiscuous activity. Ichiro takes an interest in Kyoko and sets out towards her bar.

Directed by Ko Nakahira, this innovative and erotically-charged drama based on the novel by Junnosuke Yoshiyuki foreshadows Nikkatsu’s lucrative ‘Roman Porno’ genre, which helped the Nikkatsu studio avoid bankruptcy in the 70s.

Flora on the Sand (砂の上の植物群 [Suna no ue no shokubutsugun]), dir. Ko Nakahira, Japan 1964, 95 mins, Japanese with English subtitles.

We are offering a special multibuy deal for the season: get 4 same price tickets for the price of 3 across different screenings in The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (£33 for 4 full price tickets, £24 for 4 concession tickets, £21 for 4 members tickets). If you would like to buy to 4 tickets for the same screening or 2 pairs of tickets and receive the offer you can do this by calling the Box Office on 0207 930 3647. Open Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 9pm.