The whole thing is on youtube, so if you want to watch the part 1 ahead of screening (not necessary), here it is, in several installments, we hope you are going to join us for part 2 and 3 and a good discussion (plus cookies!):
or here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czcfgeOQNmY
The PBS description of parts looks like this:
EPISODE ONE: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAITokugawa Ieyasu unifies Japan and establishes a dynasty that will rule Japan for over 250 years.
EPISODE TWO: THE WILL OF THE SHOGUNThe grandson of Ieyasu, Tokugawa Iemitsu, tightens control over Japan's warlords and expels all foreigners.
EPISODE THREE: THE RETURN OF THE BARBARIANSIsolated from the West, 18th century Edo flourishes culturally and economically, becoming one of the liveliest cities in the world. But foreign forces are coming.
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About the previous film:If we were unable to attend the first session of the 'films in Tateuchi Community Room', the beautiful 'Dream Window' movie (featuring the gardens of Saiho-ji, Shugaku-in, Katsura Villa, Tenryu-ji, and Sogetsu Hall, plus contemporary landscapes + a diverse group of Japanese artists providing an excellent commentary), talk to Thomas: he has a copy of it in his drawer, and willing to lend. This Smithsonian video offering is NOT available in the general dvd collection on amazon or anywhere else, and trade with Smithsonian will short you for about $150 :(.
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About the next films:
After next Thursday, the last two film offerings for this season will be:
• OCTOBER: Thursday 10/18//12, 1:30 pm - TokyoStory (Tōkyō Monogatari), 1953, by widely acclaimed director Yasujirō Ozu. It is regarded as one of the 10 greatest films of all time. The story is of a visit made by an aging couple from a small town to see their children and grandchildren in distant, growing, postwar Tokyo. With elegance and sensitivity the film portrays characters with whom we can identify, and taps human experiences common to us all. (For more background click Roger Eber review from 1972 and 2003.) 136 minutes - a brief intermission is planned.
• NOVEMBER: Thursday 11/1/12, 1:30 - Shall We Dance? 1996, dir. Masayuki Suo. A successful but unhappy Japanese accountant finds the missing passion in his life when he begins to secretly take ballroom dance lessons. Trailer here, Rotten tomatoes reviews here. 120 minutes.
Again: this is a private event, for guides, staff and their friends only (for mainly legal reasons), but if you want to see these films, befriend SJG volunteer or a staff person, OR become a volunteer for SJG yourself... You are invited, one way or the other.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE next Thursday!
