Shimizu’s films have only recently become available to Western audiences.  In this haunting and funny film, a young soldier (played by Ozu regular Chishu Ryu) injures his foot on a hairpin while in a hot spring at a mountain resort.  When the hairpin’s owner (played by the great actress Kinuyo Tanaka) comes to apologize for this accident, others at the resort try to push this chance encounter into something more. Sponsored by Western Libraries and United States-Japan Foundation.

A legendary teen rebellion film of the 50s (a genre known in Japan as “sun tribe” films), Crazed Fruit is the story of two brothers vying for the same mysterious woman, resulting in a shocking climax.  Scripted by future Tokyo mayor Shintarô Ishihara and starring his brother, teen-idol Yujirô Ishihara, the film also features a score by the great composer Tôru Takemitsu.  This film was a particular favorite of François Truffaut. Sponsored by Western Libraries and United States-Japan Foundation.

One of the many Mizoguchi films about a woman sacrificing herself for a man The Downfall of Osen was an early triumph for the great actress Isuzu Yamada.  In this special presentation, Osen is presented with benshi narration.  In Japanese silent film, narrators, or benshi, provided live commentary during the film, providing dialog and making observations about the story.  This is a rare opportunity to experience film as Japanese audiences would have experienced it in the silent era. Sponsored by Western Libraries and United States-Japan Foundation.