The Old Capital | 古都 Special Screening
Drama
Presented by JICC, Embassy of Japan
Based on the eponymous novel by Yasunari Kawabata
Sata kimono store has been in Muromachi in Kyoto for generations. For the last 20 years since she took over the shop, Chieko Sata has been conflicted over whether her daughter Mai should also bear the fate of having been born in Muromachi. Mai, a university student, is unable to make up her mind whether to find employment or take over the shop.
Meanwhile, Chieko's twin sister Naeko Nakata, who was separated and lost contact with her twin sister, runs a forestry business in Kitayamasugi no Sato, but the business is in a dire situation. Naeko's daughter Yui is studying art in Paris but in distress as she has lost her artistic direction. Having sensed the situation, Naeko decides to go see Yui in Paris. Mai also heads to Paris to accompany her calligraphy teacher who is holding an exhibition there. Traditions that are passed down from mothers to their daughters and the lives of families who live by the traditions of Kyoto are about to cross paths.
Starring Yasuko Matsuyuki, Ai Hashimoto, Riko Narumi
WOMEN IN CINEMA
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Chieko Suzaki began her career in television, working on science-fiction and action shows before entering film as assistant editor on Hideyuki Hirayama’s Begging for Love (1998). Her first film as editor was 2007’s Talk Talk Talk, and she has edited for other films such as Jellyfish (2013), Uzumasa Limelight (2014), 100 Yen Love (2014), Ninja the Monster (2015), and The Old Capital (2016). For her work on 2010’s Sword of Desparation she was nominated for Best Editing at the Japanese Academy Awards. Her most recent work was as editor for the live-action version of Fullmetal Alchemist (2017).
Japanese with English subtitles | Not Rated | 2016 | 117 min | Directed by Yuki Saito
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for security purposes. Program begins at 6:30PM. Doors open 30 minutes prior. No admittance after 7:00 PM or once seating is full. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat.
To modify your registration, please email jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp. Your registration is not transferable.
This event is sponsored by Matsukawaya Co., Ltd. and Teaism. In conjunction with the exhibition Ocha & Wagashi: The History of Japanese Tea and Sweets, now extended until March 16!
About Matsukawaya Co., Ltd.
Matsukawaya Co., Ltd. is an award-winning Japanese confectionery that was founded in 1862 in Nagoya, Japan. They strive to pass down and convey the important traditional Japanese culture of Wagashi, and to enrich the lives of all people by creating the enjoyment and deliciousness that is Wagashi, based on the beauty of nature and the four seasons of Japan. Matsukawaya recently opened a shop in Teaism in Penn Quarter.
About Teaism
Teaism is a collection of teahouse-restaurants first opened in June of 1996 by Michelle Brown and Linda Neumann. Teaism is based in Washington, D.C. and specializes in serving high-quality loose leaf teas with healthy, affordable meals that draw from the cultures of tea. Teaism cooks from scratch daily and offers over 50 loose leaf teas. Teaism was named for the philosophy of tea culture expounded by Kakuzo Okakura, and is particularly proud of the quality of their Japanese teas. While Teaism’s concept has always been global, the teahouses have had a heavy Japanese influence since their inception. You can visit Teaism locations at Dupont Circle, across from Lafayette Park, in Penn Quarter, and at Union Market.