Film

Film

Film

Spurred on by the success of the 1970 Donald Richie-curated MoMA retrospective The Japanese Film: 1896-1969, Japan Society committed to making film one of its key programs in the early seventies—quickly becoming the premier venue for the exhibition of new Japanese cinema as well as career-spanning retrospectives on seminal directors and actors. In 1979, Japan Society established the Japan Film Center, formalizing film as a full-fledged, year-round program aimed at cultivating a deep appreciation and understanding of Japanese film culture among American audiences. Over the years, Japan Society Film has hosted numerous high-profile premieres and programs that include visits from Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune, Hideko Takamine, and Nobuhiko Obayashi. In 2007, Japan Society Film launched JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, the largest festival of its kind in North America. Follow Japan Society Film on Letterboxd, Twitter and Instagram for Japanese cinema content and news about upcoming screenings.

Directors Company x2
April 19—20, 2024


Japan Society offers a two-film focus on pioneering 1980s production outfit The Directors Company—featuring rare theatrical revivals of Sogo Ishii’s The Crazy Family and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Bumpkin Soup.



© SOTSU • SUNRISE

© SOTSU • SUNRISE

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM East Coast Premiere
March 31 & April 1, 2024


Japan Society, Bandai Namco Filmworks and Anime NYC are excited to present the East Coast Premiere of the feature film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. After breaking box office records earlier this year in Japan, Japan Society will give New York fans their first opportunity to see this brand new Gundam film!

Join us for the subtitled premiere on March 31 and dubbed encore screening on April 1.

Upcoming Events

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Become a Japan Society member and enjoy 20% or more off on Film programs, exclusive screenings and access to other members-only events.

 



Top Image: © Daphne Youree.

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, 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, 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 Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film.