Japanese Culture in Japanese Animation Locations: Main Library Koret Auditorium Address: 100 Larkin St. (at Grove) Library Sponsored Public Program Event Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Description: Whisper of the Heart (In Japanese with subtitles) - This 1995 film from the internationally famous Studio Ghibli is a beloved favorite among fans of the studio’s works. "Whisper of the Heart" is a marvelous coming of age story of Shizuku, a junior high school girl who decides to challenge herself by taking on an ambitious project. This at a time when children in Japan are usually focusing on preparing for high school entrance exams. Reading and the love of books play a major role in this story, especially the circulation system in the local public and school libraries. Beautifully animated, the Japanese title is "Mimi wo Sumaseba," which literally means "If You Listen Closely." If you listen and watch closely, this film will touch your heart. This was the only film Yoshifumi Kondô was to direct before his death in his late 40s. There will be an introduction by Gilles Poitras, a writer specializing in Japanese animation, who will cover some of the Japanese cultural elements in the film, afterwards there will be a question and answer session.
Directed by Yoshifumi Kondô; screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki. Based on a manga by Aoi Hiragi. The film is rated G. Cosponsored by the International Center.
1-2 p.m. - Introduction 2-4 p.m. - Film Screening 4-5 p.m. - Q & A
もう1本あります。
『千年女優』
Japanese Culture in Japanese Animation
Locations: Main Library Koret Auditorium Address: 100 Larkin St. (at Grove) Library Sponsored Public Program Event Time: 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Description: Featuring: Millennium Actress (2001; In Japanese with subtitles.) - Director Satoshi Kon has paid a wondrous homage to Japanese films in the form of an interview gone unusual. In this film, a documentary filmmaker visits a famous actress who retired at the height of her career. As they speak, they, and the cameraman, are transported back to the early 1930s when she started her career, to the movies she played roles in and the events Japan went through during the years of the war and the peace that followed it. Kon is very much an auteur whose movies not only reflect his vision of storytelling but delight and at times, confuse the audience. However, the confusion is intentional on the part of the director and is very enjoyable to the viewer. There will be an introduction by Gilles Poitras, a writer specializing in Japanese animation, who will cover some of the Japanese cultural elements in the film. Afterwards, there will be a question and answer session. Cosponsored by the International Center.
1:00-2:00 p.m. - Introduction 2:00-3:30 p.m. - Film Screening 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Q & A Session