Film

GLOBUS FILM SERIES 2015

STORIES FROM THE WAR SERIES

The Most Beautiful:
The War Films of Shirley Yamaguchi & Setsuko Hara

March 21-April 4

The 2015 Globus Film Series, part of the Society-wide series Stories from the War, focuses on the work of two stars of Japanese cinema: Shirley Yamaguchi (aka Pan Shuhua, Ri Koran, Li Hsianglan, Yoshiko Yamaguchi, and Yoshiko Otake) and Setsuko Hara (aka Masae Aida), two of the most beautiful and powerful actors in the history of Japanese cinema. Both actresses were born in 1920 and achieved stardom in the so-called “national policy” propaganda films of the China and Pacific wars. The similarities, however, end there. Through a selection of films made before, during and after WWII, this series illustrates how their respective roles on the silver screen transformed along with Japan itself—from young maidens serving an empire allied with Nazi Germany to mature women walking different paths in a defeated nation promoting democracy under American hegemony. This series is guest curated by Dr. Markus Nornes, Professor of Asian Cinema at the University of Michigan.

A special lecture, An Actress with a Thousand Names, presented by film historian Inuhiko Yomota is free to ticket-holders on March 28 at 3 PM. Seating is limited.

Tickets:
All screenings (except China Nights): $12/$9 Japan Society members, seniors & students
China Nights screening + reception: $15/$12 Japan Society members, seniors & students
 
SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase tickets for at least 3 different films and receive $2 off each ticket when purchased together! Special offer available only Japan Society Box Office or by telephone at (212) 715-1258. Offer not available online.

Curator's Note

“Despite living in our own time of war, it is difficult to appreciate the central role cinema and its star system played in forming public opinion and seducing people to sacrifice everything from creature comforts to human life. And considerations of war cinema regrettably focus on male stars locked in mortal combat. This is why I have chosen to look back at WWII through a comparison of two major actresses, examining both their wartime roles and postwar lives."

Read more . . .


Stories from the War
Marking the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, Japan Society presents the Society-wide series Stories from the War. Encompassing theater performances, film screenings, lectures, panels and educational opportunities for young people, programming from January to August explores history and considers challenging issues that the U.S. and Japan faced surrounding WWII through a contemporary lens.