The Water Magician (Taki no shiraito)
Friday, December 2
7:30 pm
1933, 110 min., 35mm, silent, b&w. Directed by Kenji Mizogushi. Based on the story by Kyoka Izumi. With Takako Irie and Takihiko Okada. Print courtesy of The National Film Center, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
With live music by Kenta Nagai. Featuring concluding narration by Hiroshi Sugimoto, in person.
A Kenji Mizoguchi masterpiece from the silent era. Produced in 1933, the year Japan withdrew from the League of Nations over its expansion into Manchuria, the film is set four decades earlier in the Meiji Enlightenment era, which the public would have fondly recalled. The film has the feel of a very early photograph of Japan, by Felix Beato or Matsuzaburo Yokoyama, come to life. Shiraito is a performer who strives beyond her lowly position by supporting Kinya’s education, dreaming of a professional future for him. The film portrays the ethos of a population on the cusp of modern nationhood.
Buy a Film Pass today! Watch 5 films for the price of 4! $40; Japan Society members, seniors & students $24. (Good for both After War… and Hiroshi Sugimoto film series). The Film Pass is redeemable for 5 Fall 2005 films of your choice. To guarantee your seat, present and exchange your Film Pass at the box office for tickets on the day of the film, at least 10 minutes before screening times. This pass cannot be combined with any other discount offers at the Japan Society.
- Friday, December 2, 2005
- 7:30 pm