A2

Monday, May 23
6:30 pm

2001, 131 min., DV, color. In Japanese with English subtitles. New York premiere. Directed by Tatsuya Mori. Produced by Takaharu Yasuoka. Cinematography by Tatsuya Mori, Takaharu Yasuoka. Edited by Tatsuya Mori. Courtesy of Yasuoka Film.

This film examines the religious cult Aleph, formerly known as Aum, whose senior members unleashed deadly sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subway in 1995. According to director Tatsuya Mori, the Aum gas incident provided a foundation for new legislation with a distinctive nationalist flavor and triggered a series of social changes in Japan. This sequel of A continues to explore problems of mass media coverage, friendships and hostility between the Aleph members and the non-member local residents, and the religious group members’ daily life.

Tickets: $10; Japan Society members, seniors & students $5.