"Iwai in the World, in Asia" honoring filmmaker Iwai Shunji on 4/18 @ Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre, USC

[Rob Smith]

Damn, I'm on the wrong coast. This sounds fantastic.


On Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 11:49 AM, Jonathan M Hall <jmhall at uci.edu> wrote:

> Be there or be online!
> jmh
>
> ----------------------------------
>
>
> USC East Asian Distinguished Visual Cultures Program presents
>
>
> *IWAI  SHUNJI
> *
>
> Saturday, April 18, 2009
>
> Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre
>
> University of Southern California
>
>
>
> Please RSVP to  eascrsvp at usc.edu  with your name & number of guests.
>
>
>
> Schedule
>
> 12:00-2:30pm  Screening of ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU-CHOU
>
> 2:30-4:30pm    Panel on "Iwai in the World, in Asia"
>
> 4:30-6:30pm    Screening of LOVE LETTER
>
> 6:30-7:15pm    Q&A with Filmmaker Iwai Shunji
>
> 7:15-8:00pm    Reception in honor of Iwai Shunji
>
>
>
> The panel discussion will feature Michael Berry (Associate Professor of
> Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies, University of California Santa
> Barbara), Dong Hoon Kim (Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Cinematic Arts,
> University of Southern California), Sachiko Mizuno (Doctoral Candidate,
> Film, TV, and Digital Media, University of California Los Angeles), Akira
> Lippit, Moderator (Professor of Comparative Literature, East Asian Languages
> and Cultures, and Critical Studies in Cinematic Arts, University of Southern
> California).
>
>
>
> IWAI SHUNJI
>
>
>
> One of the most popular and influential Japanese directors of his
> generation, the multi-talented Shunji Iwai is commonly recognized for his
> distinctive and innovative visual style. Although describing himself as an
> "eizo sakka" (visual artist), characters and plot themes are often
> excellently developed in his films, all of which he has personally scripted.
> Iwai has also edited several of his films, and has even scored the music for
> more recent efforts. Often using women protagonists, Iwai has garnered fine
> performances from Japanese Pop singers in key roles, most notably Miho
> Nakayama <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0620421/> in Love Letter<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113703/> (1995)
> and Chara <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0152713/> in Pikunikku<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117338/> (1996)
> and Suwarôteiru <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117797/> (1996). A
> trend-setter, he has created a style that resonates with Japanese pop
> culture, striking a chord with contemporary Japanese youth, especially young
> women. (Excerpt from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0412517/bio).
>
>
>
> ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU-CHOU (2001), 146 min
>
>
>
> Life isn't easy for a group of high school kids growing up in Japan's
> pervasive pop/cyber culture. As they negotiate teen badlands- school
> bullies, parents from another planet, lurid snapshots of sex and death-
> these everyday rebels without a cause seek sanctuary, even salvation,
> through pop star savior Lily Chou-Chou, embracing her sad, dreamy songs and
> sharing their fears and secrets in Lilyholic chat rooms. Immersed in the
> speed of everyday troubles, their lives inevitably climax in a fatal
> collision between real and virtual identities, a final logging-off from
> innocence. (Synopsis from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297721/plotsummary
> ).
>
>
>
> LOVE LETTER (1995), 117 min
>
>
>
> Hiroko Watanabe's fiancé Itsuki died two years earlier in a mountain
> climbing accident. While looking through his high school yearbook, Hiroko in
> a fit of grief decides to write a letter to him using his old school
> address. Surprisingly she receives a reply, not from the dead Itsuki, but
> from a woman with the same name whom had known Hiroko's fiancé in school. A
> relationship develops between the two women as they continue to exchange
> letters and share memories of the dead Itsuki. (Synopsis from
> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113703/plotsummary).
>
>
>
> Sponsored by the USC East Asian Studies Center
>
>
>
> For any additional questions, contact us at *easc at usc.edu* <easc at usc.edu>*
> * or 213-740-2991.
>
> Parking is available at PSD for $8. Enter campus through Gate #5 at
> Jefferson Blvd. and McClintock Ave. and proceed to parking kiosk. Off-campus
> parking is also available at lots on Jefferson Blvd. and the street.
> < *http://www.usc.edu/private/about/visit_usc/USC_UPC_map_color.pdf*<http://www.usc.edu/private/about/visit_usc/USC_UPC_map_color.pdf>
> * *>.
>
>
> **
>
>
>
>


-- 
-rob
http://www.robixsmash.com/
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/film/
http://www.insulinfunk.net/
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