| 2003-06-02 | | | The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library Friday Theater (June–July) |
On the second and fourth Fridays of each month the YIDFF Organizing Committee holds screenings films which are not shown at the commercial theater, such as documentary films including the Film Library Collection films, pre-war Japanese films, masterpieces, independent works, experimental films, and animation at the 40-seat theater. Tomonokai (support) members can join the Friday Theater for free. (Membership fee is 1,000 yen for six months) Anybody is welcome to join the Tomonokai.
The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library Friday Theater
- Remembering Yanagisawa Hisao
• June 13 (Friday)
14:00, 19:00 (program screens twice) - Children Before the Dawn 1968 / 116 min
In memory of director Yanagisawa Hisao, who died on June 16th, 1999 at the age of 83. Children Before the Dawn is an important masterwork that can be seen as a departure point for Yanagisawa’s subsequent independent production of welfare films, which came after his long involvement in the making of corporate PR films.
Thai Short Film Collection: with special guest,
YIDFF 2001 New Asian Currents juror Chalida Uabumrungjit.
• June 20 (Friday)
14:00 Program A: Early Works of Apichatpong Weerasethakul- Mee Yanang 1996 / 21 min
Malee and the Boy 1999 / 27 min
thirdworld 1999 / 19 min (YIDFF ’99 in the New Asian Currents)
15:30 Program B: Young Thai filmmakers Short Film Collection 1- Mae Nak Pimpaka Towira / 1997 / 30 min (Image Forum Festival 1998 Special Juror’s Prize winner)
Motorcycle Aditya Assarat / 2000 / 14 min
Fish Don’t Fly Pramote Saengsorn / 2001 / 17 min
Dog & God Sarunyoo Jiralak / 2002 / 9 min
18:30 Talk with Chalida Uabumrungjit
19:30 Program C: Young Thai filmmakers Short Film Collection 1- Luang Ta Parkpoom Wongpoom / 2001 / 8 min
Pink House Suwan Hunagsirisakul / 2001 / 17 min
Hallucination Sophon Sakdapisit / 2002 / 16 min
My Elephant Songyos Sugmakanan / 2002 / 11 min
The Tree Wasan Reawklang / 2002 / 10 min
A Little Dad Tavepong Pratoomwong / 2002 / 13 min
The Thai film industry’s young generation that has grown out of the independent scene is gaining an international reputation, such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul who took the Grand Prize of Un Certain Regard at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, and Pimpaka Towira whose feature debut was selected for the Forum section of this year’s Berlin Film Festival. This program encapsulates the unique touch, taste and smell of Thai indies film. A talk from Chalida Uambumrungjit of the Thai Film Foundations is also scheduled. Don’t miss it!
Family Portrait: Japan in the 1950s and 60s Part 1
• July 11 (Friday)
14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice)- Good-by, the Fly and the Mosqito (“Sayonara ka to hae-san”) Aoyama Michiharu / 1955 / 21 min
One Hundred Merry Wives (“Hyakunin no yoki na nyobotachi”) Aoyama Michiharu / 1955 / 30 min
The Story of Little Tatchan (“Onesan to issho”) Aoyama Michiharu / 1956 / 60 min
In 1955 volunteers from the National Association of Housewives (Fujin Renmei) established Sakura Motion Picture Co., which gained the nickname “Mommy (Hahaoya) Productions” and went on to produce numerous films on themes close to the hearts of women. This screening features Sakura Motion Picture Co.’s auspicious debut film Good-by, the Fly and the Mosqito, as well as Venice Film Festival Children’s Film Grand Prix winner The Story of Little Tatchan and more. A nostalgic look back at Japan in the 1950s and 60s.
Family Portrait: Japan in the 1950s and 60s Part 2
• July 25 (Friday)
14:00, 18:30 (program screens twice)- Small Children Snacks (“Oyatsu”) Nishioka Yutaka / 1955 / 23 min
A lively portrayal of the dreams and lifestyle of children in the 1950s.
Mother’s Well-being (“Okasan no shiawase”) Kimura Sotoji / 1958 / 49 min
A mother contracts tuberculosis, sparking a revolution within the family home.
The Bride of a Farmhouse (“Imadoki no yome”) Aoyama Michiharu / 1956 / 49 min
A depiction of the problematic relationship between wives and mothers-in-law, shot on location in Yamagata’s Sagae district.
In commemoration of its 10-year anniversary in 1956, the Yamagata Prefecture Women’s Organization raised funds from its members to facilitate the Sakura Eigasha production of The Bride of a Farmhouse (“Imadoki no Yome”), a look at ingrained friction between wives and mothers-in-law in rural communities, set against the backdrop of Yamagata’s Mt. Gassan. The mother-in-law was played by Iida Yoko, the bride by Kishi Hatae, and the husband by Suzuki Mizuho. After completion, it was screened in theaters in Yamagata and became a big hit. This notable work, which also gained critical praise for its quality, will be screened with two other films that depict children and families of the same era. Don’t miss it!
[Venue] The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library (Yamagata Big Wing 3F)
[Admission] Free for Tomonokai members. (Membership fee: 1,000 yen for six months)
[Contact] phone: 023-666-4480 (Yamagata office)