Japan Society is proud to present the 16th annual JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, the largest festival of its kind. From major blockbusters to indie darlings, films at this year’s JAPAN CUTS span narratives, documentaries, experimental and short films, and anime. This summer marks the festival’s long-awaited return to in-person viewing, the first time since 2019.
Kicking off JAPAN CUTS is the East Coast premiere of The First Slam Dunk. The number one movie at the Japanese box office this year, it is the first new feature-length film from the Slam Dunk franchise in over 33 years, as well as manga creator Takehiko Inoue’s directorial debut.
JAPAN CUTS will present acclaimed actor Yuya Yagira with this year’s CUT ABOVE Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film for his lead role in the festival’s centerpiece film, Under the Turquoise Sky by director KENTARO. Yagira was the youngest-ever winner of the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his leading role in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Nobody Knows and has since starred in over 50 films and television series. He will be honored for his career and work in Under the Turquoise Sky, an international co-production in which his character embarks on a personal journey across the vastness of the Mongolian countryside. Both Yagira and KENTARO will make special appearances at the screenings on August 4 and August 5.
Another festival highlight is its only juried section, the first in-person Next Generation competition, which showcases six independent narrative features by emerging directors. Japan Society will award the Obayashi Prize to the most accomplished film as determined by a jury of industry professionals.
JAPAN CUTS also offers two programs of SHORT CUTS, which explore experimental, narrative, and animated short-length films — including the directorial debut of composer Hiroyuki Onogawa, best known for his collaborations with Sogo (Gakuryu) Ishii, and Silent Movie, an assortment of benshi-narrated silent films, among them an adaptation of the screenplay for Sadao Yamanaka’s first movie.
The festival is proud to present the 1985 documentary Tokyo Melody: A Film about Ryuichi Sakamoto in tribute to the legendary musician, composer, and groundbreaking creative. Widely unavailable and rarely shown, the cult film offers an intimate snapshot of Sakamoto’s genius and will screen on an imported 16mm print with musician Akiko Yano and director Elizabeth Lennard present.
JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film takes place from July 26 through August 6 at Japan Society in New York City.
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit japansociety.org.
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