Over the next few weeks Sirin and I are following the Yasujiro Ozu season up at The Filmhouse Cinema. I have to confess I’d never seen any of this classic Japanese directors work, and we were pleasantly surprised by “Tokyo Story” last night. Unexpectedly accessible for a Japanese a movie of the 50s, with exceptional attension to details: the relationships between the depicted family members was almost painful to watch at times as our “hands” (as mere voyeurs) are tied and out vision fixed by the static knee-high camera work. It’s a great film, the characters believable and the story down to Earth, and as someone who studies Japanese culture this film really felt like a snapshot of “real life” in post-war Japan.

We’ve posted a review over at BiteSizedJapan.

Atsuko is also in the process of putting together of the Japanese Institute of Scotland. The proposed Institute shares many of the goals of Bite Sized Japan. While the focus of the Institute is focused on Scotland (where BSJ is based) I’m hoping that in the future we’re going to be able to work together on local events (such as a filmgroup). To quote their web site:

Two Purposes of the Japanese Institute of Scotland:

スコットランド日本会館の二つの目的

• Assist to create the environment where Japanese population can live with ease in the local community as members of multicultural society of Scotland 日本人がスコットランドの多文化社会の一員として地元コミュニティの中で、安心して暮らせるような環境を 創る支援をすること。

• Spread information about Japan and culture related to Japan in Scotland

スコットランドにおいて、日本についての情報、日本に関する文化を広めること。

Unlike the slew of Vampire themed films that seem to be choking the cinemas at the moment, Thirst manages to breath new life into a worn-out genre I think. Mixing frankly stunning camera work, unflinching violence and a healthy dose of eroticism, Thirst explores the relationship between a priest with a dark secret and the girl next door… but I wouldn’t want to give too much away!