Following their announcement of a “Pre-Summer Explorers” series of free film screenings, The Japan Foundation London has now announced the main event which will take place on 12th and 18th of August at the Courthouse Hotel and Regent Street Cinemas.
Sunday 12th August, Courthouse Hotel Cinema
2pm / 6.40pm – His Master’s Voice
A lowly rakugoka forced to give up his dreams returns home only to discover a new purpose through teaching rakugo to a sad little boy.
4.15pm – Giovanni’s Island
Heart rending animation inspired by Kenji Miyazawa’s classic Night on the Galactic Railroad. Brothers Junpei and Kanta face the loss of their home when the northern island of Shikotan is reclaimed by Russian troops in the aftermath of the second world war.
Saturday 18th August, Regent Street Cinema
2.30pm – Chieri and Cherry
Charming puppet animation in which Chieri, who has recently lost her father, develops an intense bond with her stuffed toy, Cherry. Travelling to her grandmother’s house for her father’s funeral, Chieri experiences a fantastic adventure which helps her to cope with grief and fear of the future.
3.50pm – Cat Samurai
A mercenary ronin accepts a commission from dog loving yakuza to wipe out the chief pet of a cat loving clan but on being faced with the adorable creature cannot go through with it!
5.50pm – Oshin
Retelling of the classic ’80s TV drama covering Oshin’s difficult childhood. 7-year-old Oshin is sold away from her poor family and sent to work in a lumber shop where she experiences cruel injustices, finally being falsely accused of stealing. Running away, Oshin ends up in the mountains living with a kind old man and a deserter from the army who begins to teach her how to read and write.
All the screenings are free to attend but must be booked in advance. You can find more information about the screening series on the Japan Foundation’s official website and eflyer and you can keep up with all the latest news via their Twitter Account and Facebook page.
A summery treat indeed – Takeshi Kitano’s whimsical gem sees a grumpy middle-aged man forced to take a lonely little boy on a roadtrip to track down his long absent mum whilst also dealing with his own complicated family legacies. 
Mitsuko, a cheerful woman who likes to help people, has returned to Japan pregnant, broke, and alone after being abandoned by her American boyfriend. Going where the wind blows her, Mitsuko ends up returning to her home town and letting it all hang out while she solves everyone else’s problems in one of Yuya Ishii’s early whimsical comedies.
Windows on Worlds 