Back to the Future: Japanese Cinema Since the Mid-90s

4 Feb 2011 – 13 Feb 2011

The Japan Foundation's annual touring programme of films returns to the ICA. In the past the programme has focussed on themes and trends in Japanese cinema: this year, the curators have explored a vital and fertile period of filmmaking.

At the end of the 1980s Japanese cinema was in the doldrums, although things began to turn around markedly during the next decade. This series presents popular but relatively unseen films from seven directors whose work was central to that artistic and commercial resurgence.

This season is produced and organised by the Japan Foundation with advice from Jasper Sharp

Supported by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Cure

4 Feb 2011 – 5 Feb 2011

Bodies of a number of prostitutes who have been brutally murdered are found in Tokyo. All the murders have one thing in common - each victim has been slashed with a large "X" across their body.

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Go

5 Feb 2011 – 10 Feb 2011

Sugihara receives a strange telephone call from an old school friend which has the worst possible consequences for his relationship with the girl he loves.

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The Bird People of China

5 Feb 2011

A workaholic Tokyo salaryman ventures into deepest, darkest China and stumbles upon a hill tribe, whose children are adorned with wings made from bamboo and paper.

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Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

6 Feb 2011

Tsuneo is an easygoing student who, led by his fascination of Josee, soon becomes a regular visitor of her shabby, run-down house.

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Linda, Linda, Linda

6 Feb 2011 – 9 Feb 2011

Linda Linda Linda was ranked as the 6th best film on the 79th Kinema Junpo best ten list for 2005.

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One Million Yen Girl

9 Feb 2011 – 12 Feb 2011

Coming out of the jail, 21 year-old Suzuko cleans offices and delivers newspapers to save up a million yen to embark on a journey.

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Sawako Decides

10 Feb 2011 – 13 Feb 2011

A joyous, nuanced, comic drama about female empowerment.

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