December 29 (Mon.) “Sawato Midori Recital” advance tickets now on sale! Advance tickets are now on sale for “The 20th Sawato Midori Recital,” 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 “Upcoming Screenings” below. A Special Event at Miyazaki Seagaia from year’s end to New Year’s, bringing back the memory of the Showa era days A special event called “Classic Silent Film Screenings, Kamishibai, and Street Performance” 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) 《Talking Silents Special Features》 * 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］ 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’s 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（2255 Gondo-cho, Nagano-shi） 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. “Screening of Silent Film and its attraction for a benshi” 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） 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: “Bronenosets Potyomkin” 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