Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Love Letters - Four Films by Shunji Iwai
japansociety.org/films/love-letters-four-films-by-shunji-iwai
DECEMBER 9—23, 2022
One of the most original talents to emerge from Japan in the ’90s, director Shunji Iwai tapped into the dreams and lives of Japan’s youth with his lyrical meditations on the hardships of young adulthood, capturing pivotal and unforgettable moments of life. Balancing popular entertainment with arthouse predilection, Iwai’s exhilarating takes on the youth film provided a much-needed voice for the younger generation, offering delicate portraits of adolescence, ripe with poetic yearnings of grief, friendship and young love. Iwai’s sumptuous visual style coupled with his affecting and underground appeal opened a world of new possibilities in the ’90s cinescape—marking him as one of the most accomplished and unique filmmakers of his generation.
Love Letter
Friday, December 9 at 7 pm
Two years after the death of her fiancé, a heartbroken woman begins a letter correspondence with her deceased lover’s classmate who has the same name as him.
1995. 117 min. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom? / April Story
Saturday, December 10 at 5 pm
A pairing of two endearing films by Iwai: his award-winning made-for-TV breakthrough set over the course of a single summer’s day and a touching portrait of a young girl’s move to college.
1993 & 1998. 112 min total. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
All About Lily Chou-Chou
Saturday, December 10 at 7:15 pm
Rare Archival 35mm Presentation. Iwai’s most enduring work focuses on the lives of teenage outcasts in the internet age.
2001. 146 min. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
Films listed below stream online December 9—23 at film.japansociety.org.
April Story
A young girl’s move to bustling Tokyo opens up a world of new possibilities and freedoms as she starts college.
1998. 67 min. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
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Like: facebook.com/japansociety
Follow: twitter.com/japansociety
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Love Letters - Four Films by Shunji Iwai
japansociety.org/films/love-letters-four-films-by-shunji-iwai
DECEMBER 9—23, 2022
One of the most original talents to emerge from Japan in the ’90s, director Shunji Iwai tapped into the dreams and lives of Japan’s youth with his lyrical meditations on the hardships of young adulthood, capturing pivotal and unforgettable moments of life. Balancing popular entertainment with arthouse predilection, Iwai’s exhilarating takes on the youth film provided a much-needed voice for the younger generation, offering delicate portraits of adolescence, ripe with poetic yearnings of grief, friendship and young love. Iwai’s sumptuous visual style coupled with his affecting and underground appeal opened a world of new possibilities in the ’90s cinescape—marking him as one of the most accomplished and unique filmmakers of his generation.
Love Letter
Friday, December 9 at 7 pm
Two years after the death of her fiancé, a heartbroken woman begins a letter correspondence with her deceased lover’s classmate who has the same name as him.
1995. 117 min. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom? / April Story
Saturday, December 10 at 5 pm
A pairing of two endearing films by Iwai: his award-winning made-for-TV breakthrough set over the course of a single summer’s day and a touching portrait of a young girl’s move to college.
1993 & 1998. 112 min total. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
All About Lily Chou-Chou
Saturday, December 10 at 7:15 pm
Rare Archival 35mm Presentation. Iwai’s most enduring work focuses on the lives of teenage outcasts in the internet age.
2001. 146 min. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
Films listed below stream online December 9—23 at film.japansociety.org.
April Story
A young girl’s move to bustling Tokyo opens up a world of new possibilities and freedoms as she starts college.
1998. 67 min. Directed by Shunji Iwai.
------
Visit: japansociety.org/page/calendar
Like: facebook.com/japansociety
Follow: twitter.com/japansociety
Watch: youtube.com/user/JapanSocietyNYC
Join: japansociety.org/page/support
Teach: aboutjapan.japansociety.org
