Film

“… this shape-shifting docudrama progresses from breathless history lesson to grueling chamber piece (as revolutionary ideals devolve into ritual barbarism) to tense action thriller.”
-New York Times

Read the full June 22, 2008 New York Times review of the film.

2008, 190 min., 35mm. Directed by Koji Wakamatsu. With Go Jibiki, Aie Namiki and Maki Sakai. Music by Jim O'Rourke.  U.S. Premiere.

Winner of Netpac, C.I.C.A.E. Awards, Berlin Film Festival 2008.

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Wakamatsu pushes the boundaries of filmmaking to recapture the historical events that led up to what is now infamously known as the "Asama Mountain Lodge Incident" of 1972. In this gut-wrenching docudrama, Wakamatsu portrays the political unrest of 1960s Japan, when student uprisings erupted throughout the country, eventually dovetailing into extreme violence by the United Red Army (URA) in the 1970s. When the URA initiate a purification processes they call "self-criticism," what had started out ideologically escalates into torture and eventually the execution of fellow comrades.

For a comprehensive history of the United Red Army, please visit the summary from the Berlinale Film Festival in 2007 (PDF format).




MEET CUTS!

• Following the 7/6 screening, provocative director Koji Wakamatsu joins the festival for Q&A live and in real time from Tokyo, Japan, via Keio University's high-speed, high-def digital video network specially installed at Japan Society.
• Pre-screening talk with screenwriter Masayuki Kakegawa on the political and social background of United Red Army and writing its screenplay on 7/6 at 3pm and 7/8 at 6:30 pm.

For Director and Screenwriter biographies, click over to MEET CUTS.

TICKETS:
$11 general / $7 Japan Society members & seniors.
To purchase tickets online, please click "Buy Tickets" above or call the Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. - Fri. 11 am - 6 pm, Weekends 11 am - 5 pm.

Tickets for July 6 are SOLD OUT, July 8 still available.

Part of JAPAN CUTS - Festival of New Japanese Film.
Co-presented with the New York Asian Film Festival.