ICA Press Release: 19 January 2016

ICA Press release: 19 January 2016

Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016 IKIRU: The Highs and Lows of Life in Japanese Cinema 5 – 11 February 2016 at ICA 5 February – 26 March 2016 nationwide

The Japan Foundation UK’s annual Touring Film Programme runs 5 – 11 February 2016 at the ICA. Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s iconic 1952 film Ikiru (‘To Live’), this year’s programme provides an exciting collection of films looking at the way in which Japanese filmmakers have been observing and capturing people’s lives, and how people across the ages persevere, negotiate and reconcile with the environment and situation they live in.

From the newly released work A Farewell to Jinu (2015) by Suzuki Matsuo to the classic A Japanese Tragedy (1953) by master Keisuke Kinoshita, and from anime feature films to documentary, this latest programme showcases a variety of real lives of Japanese people in a manner that is as entertaining as it is informative. The so-called ‘mid-life crisis of a Japanese man’ takes centre stage in Yuichi Fukuda’s satirical I’ll Give It My All...Tomorrow and Aya Hanabusa’s award-winning documentary A Tale of Butcher Shop depicts the touching story of the Kitade family and their family-run butcher shop which they have been managing for over 100 years. Director Azuma Morisaki explores urgent issues in Japan surrounding its ageing population in the light comedy, Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days, based on a real story of a Japanese comic author and his aged mother.

This season also features Akira Ogata’s tale of a single mother and her quest to be independent by opening a lunch box shop in Noriben – The Recipe for Fortune (2009) and cosplay-infused infidelity drama The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky (2012) followed by a Q&A with director Yuki Tanada after the screenings at ICA.

Programme: Miss Hokusai Keiichi Hara, 2015 5 Feb 2016 6.30pm Set in early 19th century Japan during the Edo period, this animation brings to life the story of O-Ei, the daughter of the ukiyo-e master, Katsushika Hokusai (globally famous for his piece The Great Wave).

Being Good Mipo O, 2015 5 Feb 2016 8.30pm A heart-wrenching portrayal of isolated people caught in downward spirals which also shows how simple acts of kindness can blossom and make a difference in someone’s life.

Cheers From Heaven Makoto Kumazawa, 2011 6 Feb 2016 1pm Set in the coastal town of Motobu-cho, Okinawa, this film depicts the incredible true story of Hikaru Nakasone, a man who devoted the last days of his life to helping youngsters who felt as if they had nowhere to go.

I’ll Give It My All...Tomorrow Yuichi Fukuda, 2013 6 Feb 2016 3.15pm Adapted from Shunju Aono’s popular manga series, this comedy by Yuichi Fukuda follows the mid-life crisis of a loveable lazybones trying to find his calling.

The Cowards Who Looked To The Sky + director Q&A Yuki Tanada, 2012 6 Feb 2016, 5.30pm 9 Feb 2016, 8pm Yuki Tanada, considered one of Japan’s most talented filmmakers, returns from a four year break with this emotionally-engaging and bold expression of the inner lives, hardships and cooped-up feelings of individuals in modern day Japan.

A Farewell to Jinu Suzuki Matsuo, 2015 6 Feb 2016 8.40pm Directed by Japan’s most exciting playwright, author, actor and filmmaker Suzuki Matsuo, this hilarious comedy features an ensemble cast as the area’s eccentric characters and is based on the manga series Kamuroba mura e by Mikio Igarashi.

Noriben – The Recipe For Fortune Akira Ogata, 2009 7 Feb 2016 1pm A heartfelt human drama about a woman’s journey to independence.

Anthem Of The Heart Tatsuyuki Nagai, 2015 7 Feb 2016 3.05pm A completely original animated film which was a huge hit upon its domestic theatrical release in late 2015, touching many hearts across Japan.

The Letter Jiro Shono, 2006 7 Feb 2016 5.25pm This beautiful and tear-jerking social portrait of the offender’s family shows the toll the act of murder can have on the lives of those surrounding the perpetrator.

A Japanese Tragedy Keisuke Kinoshita, 1953 7 Feb 2016 7.45pm Having lost her husband in the war, Haruko (Yuko Mochizuki) struggles to bring up her ungrateful, materialistic son and daughter.

Uzumasa Limelight Ken Ochiai, 2014 9 Feb 2016 6pm An award-wining film telling the admirable story of Seiichi, a ‘kirareyaku’ actor whose main job in samurai movies is simply to be killed off by the lead star.

The Elegant Life Of Mr Everyman Kihachi Okamoto, 1963 10 Feb 2016 8.45pm Based on the popular magazine series by Hitomi Yamaguchi and falling within the framework of Toho’s popular genre of Salaryman Comedies, this classic film depicts the life of Eburi, showing his mixed feelings about Japan’s social and economic situation following the Second World War.

Pecoross' Mother And Her Days Azuma Morisaki, 2013 11 Feb 2016 6.15pm Drawing on social issues in Japan surrounding its ageing population, this sweet and heart-warming story focuses on the touching relationship between a son and his elderly mother.

Tale Of A Butcher Shop Aya Hanabusa, 2013 11 Feb 2016 8.30pm

An award-winning documentary about the Kitades and their family-run butcher shop in Kaizuka City, where they have been raising and slaughtering cattle, and selling their meat in their small shop for over 100 years.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is produced and organised by the Japan Foundation.

Supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Japan Airlines, the Okinawa Film Office and the Japan Centre.

Listings information: The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016 IKIRU: The Highs and Lows of Life in Japanese Cinema 5 – 11 February 2016 at the ICA 5 February – 26 March 2016, Nationwide

Ticket prices: Regular film screenings: £11 / £8 Concessions / £7 ICA Members

Booking fees for non ICA Members: £1 per ticket or maximum charge per transaction £2.80

Book online at www.ica.org.uk Call Box Office 020 7930 3647 Textphone 020 7839 0737 The Institute of Contemporary Arts is supported by Arts Council England www.ica.org.uk | www.twitter.com/icalondon | www.facebook.com/icalondon

Season multi-buy offer: Purchase 4 tickets of the same price for the cost of 3 – this can be applied to one screening or across multiple screenings in The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (£33 for 4 full price tickets, £24 for 4 concession tickets, £21 for 4 members tickets). Please contact the box office directly for any queries regarding the multi-buy offer: 020 7930 3647

Touring programme information: Following the programme at the ICA, the season will tour to a further 12 venues nationwide until late March 2016. This year’s participating venues are:

6 February – 26 March* Phoenix, Leicester Box office: 011 6242 2800 www.phoenix.org.uk 4 Midland Street Leicester LE1 1TG

8 February – 21 March* mac birmingham Box office: 012 1446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk/ Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, West Midlands B12 9QH

8 – 27 February* Watershed, Bristol Box office: 011 7927 5100 www.watershed.co.uk 1 Canon's Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX

12 – 14 February* QUAD, Derby Box office: 013 3229 0606 www.derbyquad.co.uk The Market Place, The Cathedral Quarter, Derby, DE1 3AS

14 – 29 February* Showroom Cinema, Sheffield Box office: 011 4275 7727 www.showroomworkstation.org.uk 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX

19 – 24 February Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth Box office: 019 7062 3232 www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk Aberystwyth University Penglais Campus Aberystwyth SY23 3DE

20 – 28 February Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee Box office: 013 8290 9900 www.dca.org.uk 152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY

22 – 28 February Filmhouse, Edinburgh Box office: 013 1228 2688 www.filmhousecinema.com 88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BZ

25 February – 24 March The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal Box office: 015 3972 5133 www.breweryarts.co.uk 122a Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE

2 – 23 March Exeter Phoenix, Exeter Box office: 013 9266 7080 www.exeterphoenix.org.uk Bradninch Place Gandy Street Exeter EX4 3LS

18 – 24 March Broadway, Nottingham Box office: 011 5952 6611 www.broadway.org.uk 14-18 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

20 – 24 March HOME, Manchester Box office: 016 1200 1500 homemcr.org 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN

* Screening dates vary, please see your local venue for specific line-up information.

About the Japan Foundation The Japan Foundation was established in 1972 by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and became an Independent Administrative Institution in 2003. The organisation promotes international cultural exchange between Japan and the rest of the world by organising projects as well as providing financial support through grant programmes in the fields of Arts and Culture, Japanese language and Japanese studies. The Japan Foundation currently has its Head Office in Tokyo, with offices and centres in over 20 countries outside of Japan. The Japan Foundation London is the Foundation’s only office in the UK, and one of the first overseas offices to be established, opening in 1972. www.jpf.go.jp (Head Office), www.jpf.org.uk (London)

About the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is the only Japanese film programme which tours to London and venues across the UK, presenting the best selection of Japanese cinema to regional audiences. Since 2004, the Japan Foundation has put together films under a carefully chosen theme to highlight trends in Japanese cinema, and showcased, in close partnership with distinguished film venues such as the ICA, some of the finest Japanese films in order to introduce their versatility and uniqueness. Most of films selected for the Japan Foundation Touring Programme have slipped under the radar of other film festivals or programmes despite their quality, or have previously only received one-off screenings in the UK. Now in its 13th year, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme has gone from strength to strength, consistently delivering a stimulating and inspiring programme. For details please visit: www.jpf-film.org.uk