“NIPPON EIGA” SERIES: PART 10

The North American Premiere of
THE HAUNTED SAMURAI
(TSUKIGAMI)

© 2007 THE HAUNTED SAMURAI Production Committee

Japan | 2007 | 107 min. | 35mm film | Japanese with English Subtitles

Wed. Nov. 14 -  Doors open 6:15pm -  Film starts 7:00pm
The ImaginAsian, 239 East 59th Street (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.), NYC

http://www.newyork-tokyo.com/rsvp

* Please RSVP by 12pm Monday, Nov. 12.
Due to a high volume of requests, entry is not guaranteed.

A lottery will be conducted, and you will receive email confirmation if your name has been chosen.

Known for his stories of ordinary working people, Yasuo Furuhata (“Poppoya-Railroad Man,” ”The Family”) has now filmed another tale by Jiro Asada, best-selling author of “Poppoya” and “Mibu Gishi-den”.  THE HAUNTED SAMURAI is a period costume comedy of the common man, with “human” gods and a wide rage of supporting characters. Hikoshiro’s struggles are strangely thrilling and fast-paced, told with a comic storytelling sense of wit.

http://film.newyork-tokyo.com

Story:
The final days of ancient Japan: Yoshinobu, the last of the Tokugawa Shoguns, has gone to the emperor’s ancient capital of Kyoto, leaving Edo empty and listless. Hikoshiro Bessho feels as listless as Edo itself. A low-ranked samurai, his early accomplishments inspired great hopes before he was disowned by the wealthy family into which he had married.

Torn from his wife and child and left without employment, he now idles away his time at his elder brother’s home. Enomoto, an old school friend, has risen in the world, and a social gulf has opened between them. Told that Enomoto has succeeded because of his visits to the famous “Inari Three Circles” Shrine, Hikoshiro comes upon an old riverbank shrine also called  “Inari Three Circles.” Assuming it’s a branch of the famous shrine, he prays there.

Shortly afterward, he meets what seems to be a wealthy merchant, and happily concludes from such opulence that his prayers have summoned the god of wealth. But, says the deity, “I am the God of Poverty.” The shrines were not the same. Hikoshiro has summoned the wrong god! Hikoshiro’s problems do not end there, as he continually stumbles upon the wrong shrines, unleashing more gods and only deepening his problems!

But as Hikoshiro struggles with these gods of disaster, a change takes place. The gods take on human characteristics, while Hikoshiro, rather than merely fleeing them, begins to think about how to overcome his plight. Enomoto and Katsu Kaishu, historical figures in the modernization of Japan, ask Hikoshiro for help. Is it good fortune or bad that awaits him now?

Director:  Yasuo Furuhata
Born in 1934, Furuhata joined Toei Studios after graduating from Tokyo University. He made his debut as an independent director with “Yoko, A Juvenile Delinquent.” From then on, producing and directing even more commercial works at Toei Studios. Furuhata’s films have been launching points for the careers of many renowned Japanese actors, with films like “Flowers of Winter” (1978), “Station” (1981), “Choji of the Tevern” (1983), “Yasha” (1985), “Poppoya-Railroad Man” (1999) and “The Firefly” (2003).

Main Cast: Satoshi Tsumabuki
Born in1980, Tsumabuki made a breakthrough with “Waterboys," getting a nomination for ‘Best Actor’ at the Japanese Academy Awards and winning the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ prize. He has also starred in: “Tokyo Phapsody” (2007), “Dororo” (2007) , “Nada So So” (2006), “The Fast and the Furious; Tokyo Drift” (2006), “Only Talk” (2005), “Spring Snow” (2005), “Midnight Pilgrim” (2005), “Lorelei” (2005), “69” (2004), “Josse: the Tiger and the Fish” (2003), “Dragon Head” (2003), “Waterboys” (2001), and more.