#Japan Cuts Film Festival Screens Look Back Anime Film, Blue Period Live-Action Adaptation

The Japan Society has announced its slate of film premieres for the upcoming Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film event, including screenings for Look Back and the live-action adaptation of Blue Period. 

Look Back — the anime film adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga of the same name — will receive its east coast premiere at Japan Cuts on July 14, 2024; two weeks after its premiere in Japan on June 28, 2024 at 1:30 PM EST. 

Meanwhile, the live-action film adaptation of Blue Period will make its international premiere at the film festival on July 13, 2024 before it screens in Japanese theaters on August 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. 

Japan Cuts will also feature the U.S premiere of veteran anime director Rintaro’s first new work in over a decade Nezumikozo Jirokichi — a silent short film that depicts pioneering 1930s director Sadao Yamanaka in collaboration with Katsuhiro Otomo, Taro Maki, and Masao Maruyama. It will be screened on July 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM EST as part of the festival’s Short Cuts Program 2. 

Other films featured in the festival will include: 

Bottle George

Date: July 13, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM EST (Part of Short Cuts Program 1)

Description: 

From the mind of Akihiro Nishino comes a short film with a big message. Told through disarmingly beautiful stop motion animation, Bottle George is a parable for addiction, what we can lose when trapped by alcohol, and the hope of breaking free. 

Kadono Eiko’s Colorful Life: Finding the Magic Within (International Premiere)

Date: July 21, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM EST 

Description: 

A documentary bounding with energy on the renowned children’s book author most known as the writer of Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kadono’s works have been published in 16 countries and inspired generations, and at the age of 88, the author shows no signs of slowing down. 

SHIN GODZILLA: ORTHOchromatic (International Premiere)

Dates and Times: July 14, 2024 at 9:00 PM EST and July 21, 2024 at 8:30 PM EST

Description: 

Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi’s 21st century masterpiece is reborn with this stunning black-and-white version. ORTHOchromatic adds new dimensions to the film’s visual impact by rendering it in orthochromatic black-and-white, a type of monochrome characterized by starker contrasts and more pronounced blacks. The results are awe-inspiring and presents Shin Godzilla as never seen before.

Tickets for both Blue Period, Look Back, and many other films are available now at Japan Society’s Japan Cuts website for Japan Society members. Tickets will launch for the general public on June 20, 2024. 

Japan Cuts will take place in New York City from July 10, 2024 to July 21, 2024. It is one of the largest film festivals in North America and will present over 30 films spanning 12 days, featuring major blockbusters, indie darlings, up-and-coming filmmakers, restorations, documentaries, experimental and short films, and anime.

Source: press release 

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