New York Premiere. Yukiko Sode’s commanding third feature explores relationships between women seeking pleasure and self-fulfillment amidst family expectations and class hierarchy, featuring outstanding lead performances.

Saturday, August 21 at 7 PM
Thursday, August 26 at 4 PM

DRAMA, SOCIAL CRITIQUE, ROMANCE

U.S. Premiere. Miike’s triumphant return to the phantasmagorical realm of mythical yokai introduces a whole new cast of faces in this adventure for all ages, including the long-awaited return of Daimajin!

Saturday, August 28 at 7 PM
Wednesday, September 1 at 4 PM

FANTASY, HORROR, ADVENTURE

U.S. Premiere. A precocious chanbara-obsessed teen and her friends aspire to make a samurai film over the course of one summer in this endearing take on a coming-of-age story, replete with teen romance and a sci-fi twist.

Friday, August 20 at 7 PM
Saturday, August 21 at 1:30 PM

COMEDY, SCI-FI, COMING OF AGE

Int'l Premiere. In this whip-smart, all-star ensemble comedy, a cocky and manipulative chief editor at a major publishing company strives to save a failing magazine and enlists an earnest and innovative rookie to help.

Thursday, August 26 at 7 PM
Saturday, August 28 at 4 PM

COMEDY, DRAMA

New York Premiere. The late Nobuhiko Obayashi’s swan song is a breathless journey through Japan’s war-torn past and an elegiac celebration of cinema—an awe-inspiring conclusion to a 60-year filmmaking career.

Thursday, September 2 at 7 PM

DRAMA, WAR, EXPERIMENTAL

New York Premiere. In late 19th century Japan, a respected samurai (Koji Yakusho) tries to avoid war for his clan through negotiation, but when he is left with no other choice, he picks up his sword and heads into battle.

Saturday, August 21 at 4 PM
Wednesday, September 1 at 7 PM

PERIOD FILM, DRAMA, WAR

New York Premiere. A charming and comedic love letter to Japan’s silent movie era that follows an aspiring benshi (silent film narrator) as he tries to save a movie house with his performances while also running from the law.

Friday, August 20 at 4 PM
Saturday, August 28 at 1 PM

COMEDY, PERIOD FILM

Centerpiece Presentation. New York Premiere. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s first historical drama is a dizzying tale of suspicion, betrayal, and love during WWII, featuring surprising metafilmic turns and condemnation of colonialism, with a brave performance by Yu Aoi. Featuring a video greeting from Yu Aoi, recipient of the CUT ABOVE Award for Outstanding Performance in Film.

Friday, August 27 at 7 PM

DRAMA, THRILLER, PERIOD FILM

Tourists, foreigners and social outcasts converge on the streets of Osaka in this sprawling ensemble drama that weaves through multiple characters' lives to reveal a universal loneliness in the heart of the melting pot city.

DRAMA, COMEDY

Following a workplace sexual harassment incident that leads to social media bullying, a group of co-workers gather for a seaside vacation that quickly turns ugly when they broach the #MeToo elephant in the room.

DRAMA, BASED ON A TRUE STORY

In this poignant coming-of-age tale, 18-year-old former foster child Hana reconciles trauma and chosen family. A stunning, naturalistic drama lensed by longtime Hirokazu Kore-eda DP Yutaka Yamazaki.

DRAMA, COMING OF AGE

A precocious chanbara-obsessed teen and her friends aspire to make a samurai film over the course of one summer in this endearing take on a coming-of-age story, replete with teen romance and a sci-fi twist.

COMEDY, SCI-FI, COMING OF AGE

Returning to her birthplace of Aomori, Satoko Yokohama introduces Ito, a painfully shy high schooler reconnecting with her matrilineal practice of Tsugaru-shamisen while learning the ropes part-time in a unique maid cafe.

COMEDY, DRAMA, COMING OF AGE

Centerpiece Presentation. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s first historical drama is a dizzying tale of suspicion, betrayal, and love during WWII, featuring surprising metafilmic turns and condemnation of colonialism, with a brave performance by Yu Aoi.

DRAMA, THRILLER, PERIOD FILM

As a family moves out of their luxury home, a group of increasingly eccentric guests arrive for an impromptu farewell party that turns into a surreal carnival in this energetic comedy from indie auteur Masashi Yamamoto.

COMEDY

In this highly imaginative and stylish debut, a pop culture-obsessed high school girl with dissociative identity disorder is questioned by a psychiatrist and police detective in connection to a murder case.

DRAMA, FANTASY, COMEDY

A casting agent’s life is turned upside down when his longtime girlfriend, Mari, suddenly disappears—only to be replaced (without explanation) by a complete stranger bearing the same name.

DRAMA, MYSTERY

A driven TV producer, perturbed by her doting ex-comedian boyfriend’s desire to have children, finally takes the lead on a new series in which she works with a young trans man who changes her perspective.

DRAMA, LGBTQ

In the midst of a quarter-life crisis, a frustrated actor’s memories of the immature antics of a class clown bring on renewed appreciation for youthful dreams and abandoned creative ambitions in this surprising debut.

DRAMA

In this beautifully lensed and ambitious drama, a disparate group of young people connected by chance or circumstance struggle to find love and acceptance amidst the pressures of modern life in Tokyo.

DRAMA

A shy high schooler is at a crossroads wondering what happiness means—and if he’s ready to pursue it amongst attachment to friends, family, and taiko drumming in Tagawa, Fukuoka—in this debut by actress Elaiza Ikeda.

DRAMA, COMING OF AGE

30th Anniversary—New 2K Restoration! Fresh off the success of his trailblazing cyberpunk debut, Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Tsukamoto’s foray into lighter genre convention relishes in over-the-top comedy and body horror effects.

CULT, COMEDY, HORROR

Newly Remastered! Late one night, free-spirited Kumi stumbles across a flourishing garden in a derelict industrial site and takes it upon herself to create a DIY haven for outcasts and punks from all walks of life.

DRAMA, COMEDY

35th Anniversary—New 2K Restoration! An aging silver-screen starlet seeks the aid of two steadfast detectives when her daughter is kidnapped for ransom in this unforgettable, dream-like ode to silent cinema.

DRAMA, SILENT

This intimate portrait documentary follows legendary musician and composer Haruomi Hosono—founding member of Yellow Magic Orchestra—as he candidly talks about his life and travels overseas to play concerts.

DOCUMENTARY, MUSIC

Japan’s restrictive refugee policies materialize in Ushiku immigration detention center, where people languish for years under threat of deportation. Using hidden cameras, this brave work is an urgent call for human rights.

DOCUMENTARY, HUMAN RIGHTS

What keeps popular policies of social welfare from the seat of power? Over nearly two decades, Arata Oshima follows a politician navigating splintered opposition parties in a landscape dominated by the rightwing.

DOCUMENTARY, POLITICS

The absurdity of war and mindless bureaucracy is put on full display in this entrancing tale of a young man assigned to his unit’s marching band, approached with surprisingly profound and moving deadpan comedy.

EXPERIMENTAL, WAR, COMEDY

As the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear catastrophe of March 11, 2011 reaches its ten year anniversary, this deeply imaginative and empathetic film approaches the past and future of the city of Rikuzentakata.

EXPERIMENTAL, DOCUMENTARY

In a range of boundary-breaking shorts from handmade animation to essay film, abstract nature doc, and lo-fi sci-fi, filmmakers reimagine past and future terrains.

EXPERIMENTAL, DOCUMENTARY

A samurai condemns corruption on the eve of his death, and friends and lovers reconnect and break apart during COVID-19 lockdown in this outstanding collection of shorts by established and up-and-coming directors.

DRAMA