ENGLISH | JAPANESE


This Month's Focus

This page is updated around the 10th of every month.


December 29 (Mon.)
gSawato Midori Recitalh
advance tickets now on sale!

Advance tickets are now on sale for gThe 20th Sawato Midori Recital,h which will be held at Shinjuku Kinokuniya Hall on December 29 from 6:00 p.m. We recommend that you secure your ticket by purchasing it in advance.
For more details on screenings and featured films, please see gUpcoming Screeningsh below.


A Special Event at Miyazaki Seagaia from
yearfs end to New Yearfs, bringing back
the memory of the Showa era days

A special event called gClassic Silent Film Screenings, Kamishibai, and Street Performanceh over three days from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 at Phoenix Seagaia Resort, a resort in Miyazaki, Kyushu. Silent films The Adventurer, Norakuro Gocho (Corporal Norakuro), Le Voyage Dans La Lune, and Chikemuri Takadanobaba (Blood Splattered Takadanobaba) will be screened with live film narration by Sakamoto Raiko (two screenings each day). Also there will be street Kamishibai tales reading by Otsuki Hikaru, and street performances by Hosoya Kiraku, such as performances using spinning tops. Other events will also be held that bring back the good old Showa era days.

Inquiries:
Phoenix Seagaia Resort Product Development Division
Tel: 0985-21-1121


Talking Silents 7
(films featuring Okochi Denjiro) was released!

Talking Silents 7, starring Denjiro Okochi
Oatsurae Jirokichi Koshi (Jirokichi the Rat) and Yajikita Sonno no Maki, Toba Fushimi no Maki (Yaji and Kita: Yasuda's Rescue, Yaji and Kita: The Battle of Toba Fushimi)

Oatsurae Jirokichi Koshi (Jirokichi the Rat), 1931
Directed by: Ito Daisuke, 61 min.
Yajikita Sonno no Maki (Yaji and Kita Yasuda's Rescue), 1927
Directed by: Ikeda Tomiyasu, 15 min.
Yajikita Toba Fushimi no Maki (The Battle of Toba Fushimi), 1928
Directed by: Tomiyasu Ikeda, 8 min.

* Digitally-remastered DVD is scheduled to be released on September 25
Price: 5,229 yen (4,980 yen plus 249 yen tax)

Inquiries:
Matsuda Film Productions
Tel: 03-3605-9981
E-mail: katuben@attglobal.net

* Oatsurae Jirokichi Koshi has an option to choose from katsuben narration by Matsuda Shunsui and Sawato Midori.
* Yajikita Sonno no Maki is with katsuben narration by Sawato Midori and Kato Ryubi (partially)
* Kato Ryubi's narration is included as a special option. Please note that it is original sound recorded several decades ago and his voice is not synchronized with the images in some places.
* Yajikita Toba Fushimi no Maki is with katsuben narration by Sawato Midori.

These are the details of Talking Silents 1-6:

- Talking Silents 1 Taki no Shiraito (The Water Magician) and Tokyo Koshinkyoku (Tokyo March), directed by Mizoguchi Kenji
* Taki no Shiraito (The Water Magician) has an option to select between the narration by Matsuda Shunsui and Sawato Midori
* Tokyo Koshinkyoku (Tokyo March) features benshi narration by Sawato Midori
- Talking Silents 2 Orizuru Osen (The Downfall of Osen) and Tojin Okichi (a PR fragment), directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
* Orizuru Osen (The Downfall of Osen) has an option to select between the original sound (by benshi Matsui Suisei) and Sawato Midori's narration

- Talking Silents 3 Orochi (Serpent) and Gyakuryu (Backward Flow), featuring Tsumasaburo Bando
* Orochi (Serpent) has an option to select between the narrations by Matsuda Shunsui and Sawato Midori
* Gyakuryu (Backward Flow) features benshi narration by Sawato Midori
- Talking Silents 4 Koina no Ginpei, Yuki no Wataridori (Koina no Ginpei, Migratory Snow Bird), and Kosuzume Toge (Kosuzume Pass), featuring Tsumasaburo Bando
* Koina no Ginpei, Yuki no Wataridori (Koina no Ginpei, Migratory Snow Bird) has an option to select between narrations by Matsuda Shunsui and Sawato Midori
* Kosuzume Toge (Kosuzume Pass) features benshi narration by Sawato Midori
- Talking Silents 5: Kurama Tengu and The Frightful Era of Kurama Tengu featuring Arashi Kanjuro
* Kurama Tengu has an option to choose from katsuben narration by Matsuda Shunsui and Sawato Midori
* The Frightful Era of Kurama Tengu is with katsuben narration by Sawato Midori
* The second DVD set in the Talking Silents series features films starring Bando Tsumasaburo. It will be released in late November. All films were digitally re-mastered.
- Talking Silents 6: Nishikie Edosugata Hatamoto to Machiyakko (The Color Print of Edo: Hatamoto to Machiyakko) and Dokuro (Skull) starring Ichikawa Utaemon
* Nishikie Edosugata Hatamoto to Machiyakko has an option to choose from katsuben narration by Matsuda Shunsui and Sawato Midori.
* Dokuro is with katsuben narration by Sawato Midori.

Price: 5220 yen (including tax) / 4980 yen (excluding tax 249 yen)
Postage: 200 yen (free when two or more DVDs)

sTalking Silents Special Featurest
* Digital reproduction of the unique Japanese screening format from the silent films age, including orchestral musical accompaniment and Benshi narration
* Bonus features including commentaries by the renowned film critic Tadao Sato and a word by the Benshi, Ms. Midori Sawato
* Subtitles in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese for the hearing impaired

Inquiries and applications:
Matsuda Film Productions
Tel. 03-3605-9981
E-mail: katuben@attglbal.net

This DVD series is available at stores and institutions below:

DVD Island of the Books Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store
Address: 3-17-17, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
(A three-minute walk from the JR Shinjuku Station (East Exit), or a one-minute walk from the Shinjuku-sanchome Satation (Exit B7 or B8) of the the Marunouchi Line of Tokyo Metro.)
Tel: 03-3354-0624

Books Kinokuniya:
Sapporo, Sendai, Maebashi, Niigata, Umeda, Kakogawa, Kyoto, Okayama, Fukuoka, New York

Laputa Asagaya, Furuishiba Cultural Center, Cinema Artone Shimokitazawa, DISC FIVE (on the second floor of Nakano Broadway


KATSUKICHI E-mail Magazine Now Issued!

Digital Meme, an affiliate company of Matsuda Film Productions, has launched an e-newsletter entitled "KATSUKICHI E-mail Magazine," where information on silent film screenings, new products and more will be shared. Please send your name and e-mail address here for subscription.


Upcoming Screenings


Friends of Silent Film Association 604th Screening

[Tie-up & Propaganda movie night]

November 26 (Wed.) from 6:30 p.m.

Featured Film:

Kiro ni Tachite
1930, Shochiku Kamata, 35 min.
Directed by: Shimizu Hiroshi
Starring: Yuki Ichiro, Kawasaki Hiroko


Utsukushiki Ai
1931, Shochiku Kamata, 32 min.
Directed by: Nishio Yoshio
Original Story: Mizushima Ayame
Starring: Takao Mitsuko, Fujita Yoko


Kenkoku no Haha (Mother of the nation)
1936, Joint Production, 21 min.
Directed by: Nakagawa Shiro
Starring: Kawashima Namiko, Takeshita Yasuhisa


Oya
1929, Shochiku Kamata, 11 min.
Directed by: Shimizu Hiroshi
Screenplay: Mizushima Ayame
Starring: Arai Jun, Takao Mitsuko


Gosaku Ji-san
1939, Nan-o Film Productions
Directed by: Tokumitsu Toshio
Starring: Yokoyama Unpei


Benshi: Sawato Midori(Kiro ni tachite, Utsukushiki Ai), Sakamoto Raiko(Kenkoku no Haha, Oya, Gosaku Ji-san)


Friends of Silent Film Association 605th Screening

[The 20th Sawato Midori Recitaln

December 29 (Mon.) from 6:30 p.m.

Featured Film:

La Boheme
1926, US, 93 min.
Directed by: King Vidor
Starring: Lillian Gish, John Gilbert


Izakaya no Ichiya (Over a Drink)
Animated film, 1936, 11 min.
Drawings: Murata Yasuji


Oatari Sora no Entaku (The Plane Cabby's Lucky Day)
1932, Animated film, 11 min.
Drawings: Kato Teizo


Yajikita Sonnno no Maki (Yaji and Kita: Yasudafs Rescue)
1927, 15 min.
Directed by: Ikeda Tomiyasu
Starring: Abe Goro, Okochi Denjiro

Benshi: Sawato Midori

Music: Colored Monotone (Leader: Yuasa Joichi)

Place:
Shinjuku Kinokuniya Hall
(Shinjuku Station East Exit or Tokyo Metro Shijuku-sanchome Station, Books Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store 4th floor)
Tel: 03-3354-0141
http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/index.html

Admission: :
General: 1,800 yen
Student: 1,600 yen
(There may be only few tickets left at the door on the screening date depending on the number of tickets reserved in advance. If you are not a member, it is recommended that you reserve a ticket in advance.)
Advance tickets and telephone/e-mail reservations: 1,500 yen
FSFA members: 1,000 yen

Advance tickets are also sold at:
Books Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store 5th floor, Kino Ticket Counter (over-the-counter sales only)
Tel: 03-3354-0141
10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/04f/d03/tokyo/01.htm

FSFA Office
Tel. 03-3605-9981
(Hours: 10:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. on weekdays)
Nearest station: Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Kita-Ayase Station
E-mail: katuben@attglobal.net

Inquiries and reservations:
FSFA Office
Tel. 03-3605-9981 (Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on weekdays)
Fax 03-3605-9982
E-mail: katuben@attglobal.net

* When making reservations by e-mail, please include details such as advanced ticket reservation for the Friends of Silent Film Association Screening on XX (month and date), number of tickets and the name of the representative. We will send a reservation confirmation message to those who have made e-mail reservations.

  • The Friends of Silent Film Association screenings from December 2008 to March 2009 are planned to be held on December 26 (Mon.) at Shinjuku Kinokuniya Hall from 6:00 p.m., January 26 (Mon.) from 6:30 p.m., February 26 (Thu.) and March 30 (Mon.) from 6:30 p.m. at Monnaka Tenjo Hall. The date and time are subject to change.

Other Screenings


Event name: KATSUBEN in Gakushikaiza

November 13 (Thu.) from 6:30 p.m.
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Featured films:

The Student Prince in Old Heiderberg
1927, US
Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Starring: Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer

Benshi: Sawato Midori

Music: Niigaki Takashi (Piano)

* Sawato Midori will give a talk about cinema.

Place:
Room 320 (3F) of Gakushikaikan
(A thirty-second walk from Exit A9 of Jinbocho Subway Station.)

Admission:
General: 2,500 yen (advanced reservation and members of the Friends of Silent Film Association)
General: 3,000 yen (at the door)
Students: 2,000 yen (advanced reservation), 2,500 yen (at the door)
* A glass of wine will be served.

Inquiries and applications:
Gakushikaikan Member Service Department (Gakushikaikan Kaiin Sabisuka)
Tel. 03-3292-5933
http://www.gakushikai.or.jp


Event name: Classic Cinema Screening Vol. 5

November 14 (Fri.) from 7:00 p.m.

Featured films:

Daigaku wa deta keredo (I Graduated But...)
1929, Shochiku Kamata, 16 min.
Original story: Shimizu Hiroshi
Directed by: Ozu Yasujiro
Starring: Takada Minoru, Tanaka Kinuyo, Suzuki Utako

The Son of the Sheik
1926, US, 68 min.
Directed by: George Fitzmaurice
Starring: Rudolph Valentino, Vilma Banky

Benshi: Sakurai Mami

Admission: 1,000 yen

Place:
BABACHOP Theater (At Takadanobaba Station)
http://babachop.net/theater/map.html


Event name: The 5th Misuzukaru Shinano NAGANO Film Festival

November 15 (Sat.) from 4:30 p.m.
Nagano-shi, Nagano

Featured films:

Hototogisu (The Cuckoo)
1922, Shochiku Kinema Kamata Film Studio
25 min.
Original story: Tokutomi Roka
Directed by: Ikeda Yoshiomi
Starring: Kurishima Sumiko, Iwata Yukichi, Suzuki Utako

Benshi: Sakurai Mami

–Other films will also be screened.

Admission:
Advanced reservation 500 yen/ film
At the door 800 yen/ film

Place:
Nagano Roxyi2255 Gondo-cho, Nagano-shij

Inquiries:
Misuzukaru Shinano NAGANO Film Festival Executive Committee
Tel: 026-223-6050


Event name: The 26th Special Research Session, Filming Panel,
Motion Picture and Television Engineering Society of Japan Inc.
gScreening of Silent Film and its attraction for a benshih

November 20 (Thu.) from 2:30 p.m.
Minato-ku, Tokyo

Featured films:

Chikemuri Takadanobaba
(Blood Splattered Takadanobaba)
1928, Compressed print version,
6 min.
Directed by: Ito Daisuke
Starring: Okochi Denjiro

Gyakuryu (Backward Flow)
1924, compressed print version
Directed by: Futagawa Buntaro
Starring: Tsumasaburo Bando, Makino Teruko

The Fireman
1916, US
Directed by and starring: Charlie Chaplin

Goketsu Jiraiya
1921
Directed by: Makino Shozo Makino
Starring: Onoe Matsunosuke

Le Voyage Dans La Lune
1902
Directed by and starring: Georges Melies

Benshi: Sawato Midori
There will be a lecture by Sawato Midori

Admission:
General: 2,000 yen
Student: 1,000 yen

Place:
Fuji Film Corporation Nishiazabu Headquarters Hall
(2-26-30 Nishi Azabu, Minato-kuj

Inquiries:
Motion Picture and Television Engineering Society of Japan Inc., Secretariat
Tel: 03-5255-6201
http://www.mpte.jp/html/information/2008/satsuei-bukai.html


Event name: 10th House Boat Live Art Event: Classic Cinema Boat

November 24 (Mon, Public holiday) The boat departs at 12:00 p.m. and returns 2:00 p.m.
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Featured films:

Sakanaya Kenpo
1929
Directed by: Yamashita Shuichi
Starring: Jitsukawa Ensho, Hayashi Seitaro
 

Bijobu (Only partial)
1926
Directed by: Futagawa Buntaro
Starring: Tsukigata Ryunosuke
 

Benshi: Saito Yuko

Details are not available yet.

Inquiries:
Shinagawa Kanko Kyokai (Shinagawa-ku Tourist Agency)
Tel: 03-5498-5314
http://sinakan.jp/main.html


Event name: gBronenosets Potyomkinh Made in Japan

December 4 (Thu.) from 4:00 p.m.
Sumida-ku, Tokyo

Part 1: Symposium
[100 years of Eisenstein and Russian Films]
Host: Yamada Kazuo


Part 2: Film screening with live film narration and live music
Bronenosets Potyomkin
1925, Russia
Director: Sergei M. Eisenstein
Starring: Aleksandr Antonov

Benshi: Sawato Midori

Music: Yagishita Mie (piano)

Admission:
Advanced reservation by telephone: 2,000 yen
At the door: 2,500 yen

Place:
Edo-Tokyo Museum (Ryogoku Station)

Inquiries:
Eisenstein Cineclub Japan
Tel: 080-5462-2389
ino@t.email.ne.jp


Event name: Silent Film Screening with Benshi Narration and Piano Music

December 7th Sunday from 2:00 p.m.
Machida-shi, Tokyo

Featured films:

Seven Chances
1925, US
Directed by and starring: Buster Keaton

Raiden
1928
Directed by: Makino Shozo
Starring: Negishi Toichiro, Makino Masahiro

Benshi: Saito Yuko

Composition and piano: Misawa Harumi

Admission: 500 yen

Place: Machida Citizen Forum

Inquiries:
Machida City Call Center
Tel: 042-724-5656


Event name: Screening of Katsudo Daishashin Vol. 5

December 12 (Fri.) from 7:00 p.m.
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Featured films:

Otosan no Utadokei
1934, Nikkatsu Tamagawa Film
Directed by: Yoshimura Ren
Screenplay: Suzuki Noriko
Starring: Ymamoto Reizaburo, Hoshi Reiko, Tachibana Kimiko

Sherlock Jr.
1924, US
Directed by and starring: Buster Keaton
Co-starring: Kathryn McGuire

Benshi: Sakurai Mami

Admission: 1,000 yen

Place:
BABACHOP Theater (Takadanobaba Station)
http://babachop.net/theater/map.html


Event name: Katsuben Tehater Taki no Shiraito (The Water Magician)

December 21 (Sun.) from 2:00 p.m
Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima

Featured films:

Taki no Shiraito (The Water Magician)
1933
Original story: Izumi Kyoka
Directed by: Mizoguchi Kenji
Starring: Irie Takako, Okada Tokihiko

Benshi: Sawato Midori

Admission:
Adult: 370 yen
Child: 180 yen
(Advanced application is required)

Place: Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-visual Library
(3-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi)

How to apply:
By telephone or to person at the counter on the first floor of the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-visual Library (fist-come-first sold)

Inquiries:
Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-visual Library
Tel: 082-223-3525
http://www.cf.city.hiroshima.jp/eizou/


Please click here for the latest volume of Classic Film News

Please click here for the back numbers of Classic Film News

Please click here for Katsukichi Quiz

Please click here for the latest volume of Katsukichi

Please click here for the back numbers of Katsukichi

@


JAPANESE INDEX | ENGLISH INDEX


(c)1995 Matsuda Film Productions. All Rights Reserved
This site was prepared and is managed by
Urban Connections Inc.
.


[Matsuda company logo]