Double Feature: Hideshi Hino’s “Theater of Horror”

Double Feature
Thursday, March 10
6:30 pm

Legendary Japanese cult/horror manga artist Hideshi Hino’s works are now live on screen. These two films are fresh from Japan, selected from the new six-film series Hideshi Hino’s “Theater of Horror.” Nicholas Rucka gives a brief introduction to the films.  Mr. Rucka is a filmmaker and critic who reguraly contributes reviews to “Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema.”

The Boy From Hell (Jigoku kozo)

2004, 50 min., DV, color. In Japanese with English subtitles. Graphic imagery. Not recommended for children. North American premiere. Directed by Mari Asato. Cinematography by Yosuke Kogure. Music by Hiroyuki Nagashima. With Mirai Yamamoto, Kanji Tsuda, Hanae Shoji. Courtesy of Pony Canyon, Inc.

When gifted surgeon Setsu Emma loses her only child Daio in a tragic accident, she brings him back to life by following the instructions given to her by a mysterious old woman. However, when Daio returns to his mother, he is half decomposed and inhuman. The screenplay was supervised by Hiroshi Takahashi (Ringu).

The Ravaged House: Zoroku’s Disease (Tadareta ie: Zoroku no kibyo)

2004, 63 min., DV, color. In Japanese with English subtitles. Not recommended for children. North American premiere.
Directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri. Cinematography by Kiyoaki Hashimoto. Music by Akainu, Akira Matsumoto. With Marie Kawaguchi, Satoshi Morishita. Courtesy of Pony Canyon.

Award-winning emerging director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s new film, set in the prewar era, tells the terrible story of young Zoroku’s sudden and bizarre disease, which deforms his body and causes his entire family to be ostracized by their tranquil rural village. His younger sister Haruko tries to save him.

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