Japanese Film and Culture Special screening evenings

Date: 28 March & 9 May 2014 Time: 5.30pm- Place: Andrew Stewart Cinema, Gilmorehill Halls, 9 University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ

Programme: Welcome and introduction: Dr Saeko Yazaki Screening: Princess Mononoke (28 Mar) / Departures (9 May) [Japanese with English subtitles] Discussion and Q&A: Dr Yazaki with Dr Rob Maslen (28 Mar) / Dr Charlie Orzech (9 May) Followed by refreshments with sushi

You are warmly invited to join us for these two special Japanese film evenings. Funded by the School of Critical Studies, Glasgow University, the events will highlight a range of key issues in Japanese tradition raised by each of our films, with special reference to the cultural background and translation issues they invoke.

Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫), 1997, PG13, 134min; animation Director: Hayao Miyazaki While protecting his village from a rampaging boar-god/demon, a confident young warrior, Ashitaka, is stricken by a deadly curse. To save his life, he must journey to the forests of the west, where the ambitious Lady Eboshi and her loyal clan wage war with the gods of the forest, who are aided by a brave young woman, Princess Mononoke. Ashitaka sees the good in both sides and tries to stem the flow of blood. (Adapted from IMDb website)

Departures (おくりびと), 2008, PG13, 130min Director: Yojiro Takita Daigo Kobayashi is a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and now finds himself without a job. He answers a classified ad entitled "Departures", thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency, only to discover that the job is actually for a ‘Nokanshi’ or ‘encoffineer’, a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life through his close encounters with the dead. (Adapted from IMDb website)

Free admission, but booking essential: Princess Mononoke (by 24 March 2014); to register, go to: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/japanese-film-and-culture-princess-mononoke-tickets-10972794925 Departures (by 5 May 2014); to register, go to: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/japanese-film-and-culture-departures-tickets-10972851093

Dr Rob Maslen (English Literature) Dr Charlie Orzech (Religious Studies) Dr Saeko Yazaki (Religious Studies) Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.