Dec 21, 2011
SFFILM
Samurai Classics ‘Harakiri,’ ‘Yojimbo,’ ‘Sanjuro’ and ‘Seven Samurai’ Play January 18-19 at SF Film Society CinemaDouble Features of Masahiro Kobayashi’s ‘Harakiri’ Starring Tatsuya Nakadai and Three Kurosawa Works Starring Toshiro Mifune12/21/2011Four of the most popular and influential Japanese films ever made, Masahiro Kobayashi’s Harakiri (Seppuku, Japan 1962) and Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo (Japan 1961), Sanjuro (Japan 1962) and Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai, Japan 1954) play on double bills January 18-19 at SF Film Society Cinema (1746 Post Street).
Winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize, Harakiri is a fierce evocation of individual agency in the face of a corrupt and hypocritical system. Following the collapse of his clan, an unemployed samurai arrives at the manor of Lord Iyi, begging to be allowed to commit ritual suicide on the property. Iyi’s clansmen, believing the desperate ronin is merely angling for a new position, try to force his hand and get him to eviscerate himself-but they have underestimated his beliefs and his personal brand of honor. Written by Shinobu Hashimoto, Yasuhiko Takiguchi. Photographed by Yoshio Miyajima. With Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Ishihama, Shima Iwashita. 133 min. Distributed by Janus Films. Plays January 18 at 1:30, 6:30 pm.
The incomparable Toshiro Mifune stars in Kurosawa’s visually stunning and darkly comic Yojimbo. To rid a terror-stricken village of corruption, wily masterless samurai Sanjuro turns a range war between two evil clans to his own advantage. Written by Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima. Photographed by Kazuo Miyagawa. With Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura. 110 min. Distributed by Janus Films. Plays January 18 at 4:15, 9:15 pm.
Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Akira Kurosawa’s tightly paced, beautifully composed Sanjuro. In this sly companion piece to Yojimbo, jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan’s evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a “proper” samurai on its ear. Written by Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima, Hideo Oguni. Photographed by Fukuzo Koizumi, Takao Saito. With Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura. 96 min. Distributed by Janus Films. Plays January 19 at 2:45, 8:45 pm.
One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time, Seven Samurai tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour ride from Kurosawa-featuring legendary actors Mifune and Takashi Shimura-seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action into a rich, evocative, and unforgettable tale of courage and hope. Written by Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni. Photographed by Asakazu Nakai, Takao Saito. With Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Daisuke Kato. 210 min. Distributed by Janus Films. Plays January 19 at 5:00 pm.
January 18: Harakiri 1:30, 6:30 pm; Yojimbo 4:15, 9:15 pm.
January 19: Sanjuro 2:45, 8:45 pm; Seven Samurai 5:00 pm.
Tickets Double feature $9 for SFFS members, $11 general, $10 senior/student/disabled. Box office opens December 26 online at sffs.org and in person at SF Film Society Cinema.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.
At SF Film Society Cinema, the stylish state-of-the art theater located in the New People building at 1746 Post Street (Webster/Buchanan) in Japantown, the San Francisco Film Society offers its acclaimed exhibition, education and filmmaker services programs and events on a daily year-round basis. For complete up-to-date information on all SFFS Cinema programming, including buying tickets, visit sffs.org.
Upcoming San Francisco Film Society programs
Through December 22: The Bride Wore Black New 35mm print. One of the most entertaining films of the French New Wave has Jeanne Moreau playing the femme fatale to the hilt in François Truffaut’s closest homage to his idol Hitchcock.
Opening December 23: Silent Souls The myths and traditions of a vanishing culture are beautifully woven into Aleksei Fedorchenko’s lyrical, sensual and dreamlike film about love and loss.
December 23 (late show): Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale It’s the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, and an archeological dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus. But this particular Santa isn’t the one you want coming to town! DVDs and poster giveaways for lucky winners-great last-minute stocking stuffers!
December 25: It’s a Wonderful Life Frank Capra’s beloved classic starring Jimmy Stewart as a man whose faith in life is restored by his guardian angel.
January 1-2: Buck and Bill Cunningham New York Back By Popular Demand! Double-feature return engagement of two SFIFF favorites, both on the Academy Awards short list for Best Documentary.
January 3-5: Paul Goodman Changed My Life Jonathan Lee’s documentary chronicling the life and work of multidisciplinary thinker Paul Goodman.
Opening January 6: King of Devil’s Island Marius Holst’s true-story drama about a historic uprising at a Norwegian boys’ reform school.
January 13, 15: The Best of Annecy A dynamic and entertaining array of shorts from one of the most important animation festivals in the world.
January 16-17: Summer Pasture Lynn True, Nelson Walker and Tsering Perlo’s remarkably intimate documentary about the uncertain future of Tibetan nomads.
Opening January 20: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos Kazuya Murata’s highly imaginative tale of two brothers in an alternate world where alchemy is a highly sophisticated scientific application.
San Francisco Film Society
Building on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in exhibition, education and filmmaker services.
The Film Society presents 365 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of 130,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 15,000 teachers and students and presents 120 classes and workshops annually. Through the filmmaker services program essential creative and business services, and funding totaling millions of dollars, are provided to deserving filmmakers of all levels.
The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and a wealth of other benefits.
For more information visit sffs.org.
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