Manchester Film Weekender are currently running a season of Japanese films as part of Altrincham Little Theatre’s ‘Cinema On Sundays’ programme. The series of nine films run through to the end January and are then followed by a Film Weekender Residential at the Mercure Altrincham Hotel & Altrincham Little Theatre. The programme of films is varied, but includes some bona-fide classics and is supported by Japan-UK’s 'Season Of Culture 19-20'. As a venue Altrincham Little Theatre is a wonderful place to watch classic cinema and the upgraded/upsized screen fits perfectly in the period design of the auditorium. As soon as the lights dim, you are transported to a golden age of cinema.
Manchester Film Weekender is an annual season of foreign films established and joint-curated by John Grieve, who as a long serving member of the equally brilliant Manchester And Salford Film Society (also in residency in Altrincham) wanted to run a focused season specialising in films from specific nationalities. Having previously hosted seasons of Italian films, this year it is the turn of Japan, alongside a season of Russian Films.
Tonight’s screening was introduced by Maggie Hoffgen MA, who has lectured in Film History, Language and Culture at the University of Salford, the BFI Academy and Manchester University Language Centre. The 15-minute introduction took in the director’s themes, aesthetic inspirations and most importantly cultural & historical context, which framed the screening perfectly. Hoffgen is an engaging speaker, whose enthusiasm for the film couldn’t help but get the audience onside for the forthcoming film.
Although I had missed last week’s masterpiece ‘Tokyo Story’ (Ozu, Y.1953), I have seen it about a dozen times, so understood how this week’s screening was to be presented as a sister text. Tokyo Sonata is directed by Kiyoshi (no relation to Akira) Kurosawa and is in the Japanese tradition of the Shomin-Geki, which are roughly speaking, contemporary dramas about the salaried classes. The film, made in 2008, follows the downfall of a salaried man, who like many of Japan’s workers finds that the job he has had since college, has been downsized due to outsourcing to china. The link between work, corporate loyalty and self-identity in the Japanese male culture is an intriguing subject, and when viewed through a scenario in which these are taken from the protagonist is compelling stuff. The film’s first two acts have the measured pace and stoic performances that one would expect from Japanese drama, with a family slowly unravelling with such personal privacy, that none are aware of each others' alienation. It is a distinctly Japanese take, but the themes are universal and are expressed with wit and warmth. However, the third act quickly descends into improbable histrionics with acts of criminality, chases, lucky breaks and plot twists that literally skid through the story like a speeding mini-van (ahem!). It is a shame, because unlike Ozu’s Tokyo Story, which is the epitome of a restrainted and compassionate observation of the nuances of family life, Tokyo Sonata (and Kurosawa) seem to lose faith in the characterisation, resorting instead to convenient plotting and contrivance.
Tokyo Sonata is not a very good film, but of the remaining seven films between now and January, three are personal favourites of mine which would look great on the big screen (Rashomon, Departures & Our Little Sister) and I am eagerly looking forward to films by three of Japan’s most influential directors; another Ozu, a Kurosawa (Akira this time!) and a Mizoguchi. The Japanese Film Weekender is a truly exciting season and can be found here https://www.manchesterfilmweekender.org.uk/films. The films are introduced at 3:15pm and are screened at 3:30pm, followed by discussion, tea or coffee and good company in the bar afterwards.
Details of the weekend residential can be found at https://www.manchesterfilmweekender.org.uk/mfw-2020/programme and I am very excited about a number of the films on this programme. This is a great season, hosted by an organisation which I admire very much and screened in the most fitting of surroundings.
Reviewer - Ben Hassouna-Smith
on - 6/10/19
No comments:
Post a Comment