Summer Series at Japan Society
Monthly Classics screens
Mothra in 35mm
July 8, 2022 at 7pm
with introduction by Japanese sci-fi critic Kevin Derendorf.
Monthly Anime Series screens
Princess Mononoke– 25th anniversary screening in 35mm
July 22, 2022 at 7pm
In-Person Showcase of Classic, Underseen, and Contemporary Anime
New York, Summer 2022—Japan Society is pleased to announce upcoming July screening highlights in 35mm!
A scientific expedition ventures into a radiation-laden island in Ishiro Honda’s 1961 tokusatsu classic, Mothra featuring Toho’s most popular kaiju monster after Godzilla. Screens July 8, 2022 in 35mm with introduction by Japanese sci-fi critic Kevin Derendorf.
To commemorate 25 years since its 1997 release, Hayao Miyazaki’s mystical epic Princess Mononoke screens in 35mm on July 22, 2022 in the Monthly Anime series. This is the final screening in the spring/summer 2022 in-person monthly anime showcase.
Monthly Anime is presented by Yen Press. Additional support is provided by Sapporo U.S.A. The screening of Princess Mononoke is supported by Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC.
Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Shiseido Americas and The Ford Foundation. Japan Society Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and endowment support from the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, Akiko Koide and Shohei Koide, David Toberisky, Geoff and Fumi Matters, Laurel Gonsalves, and David S. Howe. Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the exclusive Japanese airline sponsor of Japan SocietyFilm.
Tickets: $15/$12 students and seniors /$5 Japan Society members.
Lineup and other details are subject to change. For complete information visit japansociety.org.
SCREENING SCHEDULE
Mothra
Friday, July 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Dir. Ishiro Honda, 1961, 101 min., 35mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Frankie Sakai, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kyoko Kagawa.
Screening on 35mm with introduction by Japanese sci-fi critic Kevin Derendorf.
When a shipwrecked crew is rescued from a Pacific island previously used for nuclear testing, word quickly spreads of its newly discovered indigenous inhabitants. Driven by scientific curiosity, a joint expedition of Japanese and Rolisicans (a portmanteau for Russia and America) venture into the island’s depths, discovering a paradise of mutated species and hidden glyphs—and, among them, a pair of tiny twin fairies (played by ’60s pop duo The Peanuts). When the expedition’s leader decides to secretly kidnap the fairies, the natives are forced to awaken their ancient deity, Mothra. A kaiju classic from Godzilla’s Ishiro Honda, Mothra established one of Toho’s most memorable kaiju and forever ingrained the Peanuts’ “Mothra’s Song” into popular culture.
Seismic Toys will host a Kaiju-themed pop-up and an exclusive limited-edition Mothra Mini-Print by Robo7 will be on-sale on-site in our lobby!
Kevin Derendorf is an American critic of Japanese science fiction and horror topics. He is the author of the book Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 Alternative Giant Monster Movies, head writer on the Maser Patrol blog, and a frequent guest host on the Kaiju Transmissions podcast. He also contributed to Arrow’s Daimajin Blu-ray box set, occasionally writes for Grimoire of Horror, and frequently presents lectures at anime and tokusatsu conventions.
Princess Mononoke
Friday, July 22, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 1997, 134 min., 35mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Yoji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yuko Tanaka. 25th Anniversary.
The arrival of a diseased boar spirit, enraged and corrupted by an iron slug, leaves young warrior Ashitaka infected by its demon curse. With his days numbered, Ashitaka journeys westward to seek a cure for his affliction, tracing the boar’s path to the sacred forest of the Deer God, a forbidden realm belonging to an ancient forest spirit. Upon his arrival, Ashitaka stumbles into an elemental conflict between the forest’s protector San, a fearless warrior princess raised by wolves, and a neighboring iron town that has ravaged the earth. Released to universal acclaim, Hayao Miyazaki’s 14th-century tale is one of the director’s grandest achievements, a sweeping epic with breathtaking visuals and profound thematic ambitions that has captivated audiences ever since its release.
Here’s the trailer of the film.
About Japan Society
Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and societywith audiences in New York and around the world. At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna (絆)–forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S. We strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding, and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan. From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. Our future can only be enhanced by learning from our peers and engaging with our audiences, both near and afar.