Ring with Introduction by author Koji Suzuki

『リング』
Ringu

This special event is presented by Japan Society in collaboration with Kodansha USA.

Introduction by original Ring author Koji Suzuki. Screening is followed by a book signing with Koji Suzuki.

Investigating the urban myth of a cursed videotape that kills its watchers within seven days of viewing, journalist Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima) discovers a series of unnatural teenage deaths tied to a tangible, real-life tape when her niece falls victim to the curse. While tracking it down, Reiko unwittingly exposes her son to the tape, pitting her in a race against the clock to discover the secrets behind its origin. A dirgelike procession of contorted corpses, grainy video footage and disturbing imagery, Nakata’s brooding J-horror classic unleashes a barrage of nightmare fuel that feeds off of technological anxieties of our modern era.

Influential on both sides of the Pacific, Ring led to a popular franchise that spans more than 10 films in Japan and is widely credited as leading to a Japanese horror boom in the U.S., including an English-language adaptation directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts. 

Dir. Hideo Nakata, 1998, 96 min, DCP, color. With Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Miki Nakatani.

About Koji Suzuki

Koji Suzuki was born in 1957 in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. He graduated from the Department of French Literature at Keio University. In 1990, Suzuki’s debut novel Rakuen (Paradise) won the Superior Award at the Japan Fantasy Novel Awards. Following this, his Ring, Rasen (Spiral), Loop and Birthday became best-sellers with total sales of over eight million copies. Many of his novels have been made into films in Japan, and his Ring and Dark Water also saw Hollywood adaptations. Suzuki’s books have been translated into 20 languages, with Seize the Day, Edge and Kotetsu no Sakebi (Cry of Steel) among his major works, and Ubiquitous his latest novel. While his wife worked as a high school teacher, Suzuki stayed home to raise their two daughters. He loves physical activities such as yacht sailing, motorcycling and combat sports. He dreams of sailing across the Pacific Ocean. In July 2013, he became the first Japanese author to win the Shirley Jackson Award, an American literature award.

Autographs and Book Sales 

Attendees will be able to purchase copies of Ring, Spiral, Loop and Koji Suzuki’s other books at this event or bring books from home for a signing session following the screening.

© 1998 Ring/Spiral Production Committee Production

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

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, Anime NYC and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, and Film Circle members.

Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film Program. Housing assistance is provided by the Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film Program.

This special event is presented by Japan Society in collaboration with Kodansha USA. This year’s literature events are generously supported by a grant from the Toshiba International Foundation.