Japanese films on NGN3 this month
Advertiser Staff
Japanese classics to be shown on NGN3 in December:
"Hotaru (Firefly)," directed by Yasuo Kouhata, with Ken Takakura and Yuko Tanaka. A kamikaze pilot reflects on life and relationships, after the death of Emperor Hirohito. 2001.
"Kage No Gundan Hattori Hanzo (Shadow Warriors)," directed by Eiichi Kudou, with Tsunehiko Watase and Teruhiko Saigo. The death of the shogun Iemitsu sparks a struggle for power among Japan's ruling families. 1980.
"Hibari Torimonocho Kanzashi Koban (Edo Girl Detective)," directed by Tadashi Sawashima, with Hibari Misora, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Kotaro Satomi and Junji Sakai. A famous girl detective investigates the murder of a woman during a festival at the Asakusa Shrine. 1958.
"Tange Sazen Ketteiban (Secret of the Golden Spell)," directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda, with Ryuutarou Ootomo, Hibari Misora and Hashizou Ookawa. Folklore favorite Tange Sazen, the one-eyed, one-armed swordsman, must rescue the Yagyu clan from a takeover. 1958.
"Hi Wa Mata Noboru (Dawn of a New Day)," directed by Kiyoshi Sasabe, with Toshiyuki Nishida, Tetsuya Nakadai and Ken Watanabe. Based on a true story of how the VHS format was born. 2002.
"Jogokudo Reikai Tsushin (Jigokudo Spiritual Press)," directed by Nasu Hiroyuki, with Suzunosuke Tanaka and Ryuuta Ootake. A supernatural battle ensues after a captured friend is rescued from a bully. 1996.
"Akoujou Danzetsu (Swords of Vengeance)," directed by Kinji Fukasaku, with Kinnosuke Yorozuya, Shinichi Chiba and Hiroki Matsukata. A classic tale of the 47 ronin, exemplifying loyalty. 1978.
"Kai (Pulling an Oar)," directed by Hideo Gosha, with Ken Ogata, Yukiyo Toake and Yuko Natori. A story of a marriage gone awry and how the bride struggles through the hardships. 1985.
"Shinkansen Daibakuha (The Bullet Train)," directed by Junya Sato, with Ken Takakura, Shinichi Chiba and Tetsuro Tanba. A predecessor of "Speed," in which the bullet train's 1,500 passengers are in jeopardy if the runaway train's speed falls below 50 mph. 1975.
"Tengoku No Eki (Station to Heaven)," directed by Masanobu Deme, with Sayuri Yoshinaga, Toshiyuki Nishida, Tomokazu Miura. A woman's search for true love is a tangled web of murder and deceit. 1984.
"Gokudo No Onna Tachi (Yakuza Ladies)," directed by Hideo Gosha, with Shima Iwashita, Rino Katase, Masanori Sera and Riki Takeuchi. The wife of the Awazu family boss is thrust into leadership when her husband is sent to prison, creating a battle for power. 1986.
"Yumechiyo Nikki (Yumechiyo)," directed by Kirio Urayama, with Sayuri Yoshinaga, Kinya Kitaooji and Yuko Natori. A geisha house-madam diagnosed with a terminal illness yearns to make every day count. 1985.
"Hamamoto Taikutsu Otoko Nazo No Hebi Hime Yashiki (The Mansion of Intrigue)," directed by Yasushi Sasaki, with Utaemon Ichikawa and Kinya Kitaooji. A swordsman must foil a minister's sinister plan to assassinate the shogun. 1957.
Ninkyou Shimizu Minato (Port of Honor)," directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda, with Chiezou Kataoka and Kinnosuke Nakamura. A good-natured gambling boss sets out to take revenge for a fellow boss. 1957.
"Zoku Abashiri Bangaichi (Prison Walls of Abashiri, Part 2)," directed by Teruo Ishii, with Ken Takakura and Kanjuurou Arashi. Two convicts just released from prison find a green bauble filled with diamonds — and try to prove they didn't steal it. 1965.
"Shingo Nijuuban Shobu Dai-Ichibu (Shingo's Challenge, Part 1)," directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda, with Hashizou Ookawa and Satomi Oka. The son of a shogun, who has never met his father, finds himself a target of rivals and corrupt government officials. 1961.
"Hitoban Bakuto (The Valiant Red Peony)," directed by Kosaku Yamashita, with Ken Takakura, Junko Fuji and Tomisaburo Wakayama. The daughter of a casino owner seeks out her father's killer, and becomes a gambler in her quest. 1968.
"Truck Yarou Goiken Muyou (Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me)," directed by Norifumi Suzuki, with Bunta Sugawara and Kinya Aikawa. The first of a series of films on the lighthearted adventures of two truck drivers. 1975.
