Kaneto Shindo's POSTCARD at FCCJ

[Eija Niskanen]

Dear KineJapanners,

We have another sneak preview opportunity at the Foreign
Correspondents' Club of Japan, on January 18, for Kaneto Shindo’s
POSTCARD. Details are below.

The FCCJ is a private club, so you must reserve through Karen Severns
if you’d like to attend: kjs30 at gol.com

SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW SCREENING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 7 pm  20th floor

POSTCARD (Ichimai no Hagaki)   Japan 2011 114 min.

In Japanese with English subtitles

Directed and written by: Kaneto Shindo
Produced by: Jiro Shindo
Starring: Etsushi Toyokawa, Shinobu Otake, Naomasa Musaka, Ren Ostugi,
Akira Emoto, Mitsuko Baisho

Film courtesy of Kindai Eiga Kyokai and Tokyo Theatres

The Movie Committee is honored to present this sneak preview of
98-year-old Kaneto Shindo’s “final film.” The legendary director will
appear with producer Jiro Shindo at a Professional Luncheon the
following day. Please see the January 19 announcement to sign up for
that event.

This late-life masterpiece won writer-director Kaneto Shindo the TIFF
Special Jury Prize following its world premiere in November. A
powerful and moving antiwar film driven by Shindo’s own experience, it
focuses on the impact of WWII at home. Toward the war’s end, 100
middle-aged Japanese soldiers are ordered to the frontlines. Expecting
that he will not return, one soldier, Sadazo (Musaka) leaves a
postcard from his wife Tomoko (Otake) with his bunkmate, Matsuyama
(Toyokawa), asking that he let her know he appreciated it. Matsuyama
is one of only six men who survive from his unit. By the time he
finally arrives at Tomoko’s home to deliver Sadazo’s message, both of
them have been through unspeakable tragedy. But the human spirit is
resilient, and in scenes filled with both rage and humor, the two
survivors begin to find a way to live with their despair.

“Postcard” will not open in Japanese theaters until August, so this is
a unique opportunity to view it beforehand. The first career-spanning
Kaneto Shindo retrospective kicks off in April in New York City.

All movie screenings are private, noncommercial events restricted to
FCCJ members and their guests.

Karen Severns, Edwin Karmiol, Movie Committee

Signing up: please send email to Karen Severns at kjs30 at gol.com, do
not answer on the Kinejapan list!

-- 
Eija Niskanen
Baltic Sea - Japan Film Project
Kichijoji Honcho 4-12-6
Musashino-shi
Tokyo 180-0004