Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis

『帝都物語』 
Teito Monogatari

35th Anniversary. A resurrected 10th-century general hellbent on bringing about the fall of Tokyo drives the narrative of one of Japan’s most expensive live-action films of the ‘80s. Directed by New Wave acolyte and Ultraman director Akio Jissoji (This Transient Life, Mandala) and based on the first four volumes of natural historian and polymath Hiroshi Aramata’s esoteric Teito Monogatari, Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis is an occult retelling of the history of Tokyo, imbued with dark fantasy, horror and folkloric histories. Incorporating a mix of historical figures and events that include writer Kyoka Izumi and industrialist Eiichi Shibusawa as well as the Great Kanto Earthquake, Jissoji’s sweeping cult film envisions a new mythology for Tokyo’s modern era. Aided by creature design from visionary artist H.R. Giger (Alien) and anchored by Kyusaku Shimada’s towering performance as the immortal general Yasunori Kato, Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis is overly ambitious, reeling from the sheer scope of its material and unabashedly a true spectacle to behold.

Dir. Akio Jissoji, 1988, 135 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Shintaro Katsu, Kyusaku Shimada, Mieko Harada. Screenplay by Kaizo Hayashi.

Part of Taisho Roman: Fever Dreams of the Great Rectitude
December 9—16, 2023

Taisho Roman offers transgressive visions of Japan’s own belle epoque, featuring films from some of Japan’s most radical and outré filmmakers.

© Kinema Junposha.

Special Thanks to Bret Berg (AGFA); Laurence Braunberger & Frédérique Ros (Films du Jeudi); Mako Fukata; Beth Rennie (George Eastman Museum); Shun Inoue & Akinaru Rokkaku (Japan Foundation); Daniel Joseph; Carl Morano (Media Blasters); Rikako Kosugiyama & Jo Osawa (National Film Archive of Japan); Shuji Shibata, producer of Dogra Magra.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation, and 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, 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, David Toberisky, and Friends of Film. Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film. Housing assistance is provided by the Kitano Hotel, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film.