Japanese Student Organization and Mills International Center Present: Spring 2009 International Film Series “Latest from Japan”
Thursdays at 6:30pm Mills International Center (in the EMU, above Post Office) All films are free and open to the public. Free snacks and drinks are provided. All films are in Japanese language with English subtitles For more information please call 346-0887 or email
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April 2 Shaolin Shojo (2008, 108 min) Rin trains in the art of kung fu for 9 years so that she is able to take over her grandfather's Shaolin dojo in China. Upon returning to Japan she ends up teaching her skills to the lacrosse team of a sports science university. April 9 Real Monster Tag (2008, 98 min)A teenager is transported to a parallel world. In this parallel world, a deadly game is played in which every person named "Sato" is hunted down and killed by the authoritarian government. When Tsubasa Sato finds himself trapped in this world he must evade the hunters while protecting the alternate version of his sister.
April 16 The Magic Hour (2008, 137 min) A gangster is having an affair with his boss's wife. When he is discovered, he promises to redeem himself by recruiting a famous hit man. Instead, he hires a no-name actor to fill the role until he can find a suitable replacement.
April 23 The Girl who Leaps through Time (2006, 98 min) When 17-year-old Makoto Konno gains the ability to, quite literally, "leap" backwards through time, she immediately arranges to improve her grades and prevent personal mishaps. However, she soon realizes that changing the past isn't as simple as it seems, and eventually, she will have to rely on her new powers to shape the her own future and the future of her friends.
April 30 Love and Honor (2006, 121 min) Shinnojo, is a young man employed as a "food taster" for the imperial family. Shinnojo's position comes to a sudden and tragic end when he consumes poisoned fish intended for the clan leader and is forever robbed of his sight. Forced to give up his job, Shinnojo heads home and sinks into a deep and seemingly inescapable depression. Contemplating suicide, Shinnojo is only stopped by the love of his wife, Kayo, who insists that she will also commit suicide if he proceeds.
May 7 Crow's Zero (2007, 129 min) Genji, the son of a yakuza boss must achieve an unprecedented alliance with notorious Suzuran High School (Crow's High School) in order to take over his father's position. Genji soon finds out the strongest guy in the school is Serizawa, who was also set on conquering all the classes. Genji challenges Serizawa to a duel, but of course, being the newcomer that he is, wasn't taken seriously. Genji then seeks help and builds up his own team while defeating other minor 'bosses'. He ends up having a showdown with Serizawa in his journey to the top of Suzuran High School.
May 14 700 Days of Battle: Us vs. the Police (2008, 110 min) Troublemaking teen Mamachari and his group of friends are experts in causing havoc in their quiet town. One day, the resident police officer, or Chuzai-san, busts Mamachari's buddy Saijo for speeding on his scooter. The teens decide to retaliate with a small prank, and Chuzai-san gets them suspended from school. The youths feel even more outraged when they discover that Chuzai-san is somehow married to the beautiful young Kanako. Mamachari and company vow to humiliate Chuzai-san with every trick up their sleeves, but this police officer is every bit as immature and inventive as they are. Soon the whole town is pulled into the escalating ‘war’.
May 21 Kitaro (2007, 103 min) Kitaro is half-human and half-supernatural being. He was orphaned as a child, and has dedicated his life to keeping the peace between the human and yokai worlds. Kitaro tries to save a high school girl named Yumeko and stop a stone with the power to control both worlds from falling into the wrong hands.
May 28 Midnight Eagle (2007, 132 min) A top secret American strategic bomber known as “Midnight Eagle” suddenly vanishes in the Northern Alps. Its payload is a specialized nuclear warhead. If it were to explode, the entire nation of Japan would be hurled into an unprecedented calamity. Prime Minister Takafumi Watarase convenes an emergency meeting of the Security Council of Japan. An elite squad from the Self-Defense Force that is able to operate in severe mountain conditions is formed, and heads off to try and recover the plane.
June 4 5 Centimeters per Second (2007, 62 min) Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari are close friends but gradually, they grow further and further apart. They become separated because of their families, but stay in contact by exchanging letters. Yet as time continues to trudge on, their contact with one another begins to trail off. Years pass and the rift between them grows ever larger. Takaki still remembers the times they shared, but as life continues to unfold for him, he wonders if he will be given the chance to meet Akari again. Takaki finds his life becoming a tale of realization of the world and people around him.
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