J-FLICKS

This episode of J-FLICKS is dedicated to lovers of classic Japanese cinema as we present our second special on legendary filmmaker, Ozu Yasujiro. We look at "Early Summer" (1951), a film about a young woman pressured by her family to find a husband and starring several recurring names in Ozu's work, including Ryu Chishu and Hara Setsuko. We also introduce the director's very first talkie, "The Only Son" (1936), as well as "The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice" (1952). We discuss what makes Ozu's films so appealing and offer insights on how to better appreciate his unique cinematic world. Later on, we head to Japan's old capital, Kyoto Prefecture, for an overview of the latest edition of the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab, a workshop where budding cineastes from around the world collaborate to make short samurai films.

On this episode, an overview of the Japanese films that hit the limelight at one of the world's three biggest cinematic festivals - the Berlin International Film Festival, held this February. Screened in competition was director Shinkai Makoto's animated feature "Suzume," and in the Berlinale Special section was "#Manhole," a thriller by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi. We also check out the Osaka Asian Film Festival, which presented its 18th iteration this March, introducing films from all over Asia, including Funahashi Atsushi's "The Burden of the Past" featured in the Indie Forum section. Finally, we look at a period film by Sakamoto Junji, "Okiku and the World," which was shown in the Big Screen Competition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam. [Navigator] Sarah Macdonald [Guest] Alexander Zahlten (Professor, Harvard University)

The lineup of the Cannes Film Festival often features several much talked about Japanese films, and this year's edition was no exception. Presented in competition, KORE-EDA Hirokazu's latest film, "Monster," won the award for best screenwriting. Meanwhile, the prize for best actor went to Yakusho Koji for his lead role in Wim Wender's "Perfect Days," which was filmed in Tokyo. Screened in the premiere section was internationally-acclaimed cineaste Kitano Takeshi's newest release, the samurai film "Kubi." We also turn our attention to latest iteration of the world's biggest festival on Japanese cinema, Nippon Connection, held in Frankfurt. Along with an overview of the award winners, we look at two films screened at the event: "Egoist" by Matsunaga Daishi, and Nakae Yuji's "The Zen Diary." [Navigator] Sarah Macdonald [Guest] Alexander Zahlten (Professor, Harvard University)

On this episode, we focus on Japanese films presented at the Venice International Film Festival.

Close-up: the Tokyo International Film Festival with "PERFECT DAYS" by Wim Wenders and "Godzilla Minus One." We also look at Miyazaki Hayao's latest film, "The Boy and the Heron."