For 35 years, the Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) has offered films that are free and open to the public. The CJS Summer 2010 Film Series continues from 7-9 p.m. Friday with “Big Man Japan,” directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto, 2007.
Middle-aged and poverty-stricken, main character Masaru Daisato periodically transforms into a giant in order to defend Japan from invading monsters in this comedy spoof of super hero films.
While the CJS film series typically are built around themes such as a director or genre, this summer series is focused on recent films that portrayed a more lighthearted and/or current view of popular films in Japan today. Generally, the series aims to bring a wide array of films to the community in order to widen the exposure to Japanese cinema, to provide both entertainment and educational experiences.
All films start at 7 p.m. and are screened in Askwith Auditorium, Lorch Hall, 611 Tappan. The series continues July 30 with “20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End,” directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, 2008, 142 minutes. The film features a group of young boys who wrote a book about fighting an evil organization. Thirty years later, their childhood prophecies come true. The Aug. 6 selection is “Maiko Haaaan!!!,” directed by Nobuo Mizuta, 2007, 120 minutes. This slapstick comedy features an office worker who is pursuing a Maiko (apprentice geisha) in Kyoto. Presented Aug. 13 is “Battle League Horumo,” directed by Katsuhide Motoki, 2009, 113 minutes.
The film series is partially funded by a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
