J-Sei At the Movies: Japanese Film Discussion

J-Sei At the Movies: Japanese Film Discussion

by | Feb 2, 2022 | Classes & Events

Hamaguchi discussion continues: Happy Hour
Friday, February 25 at 4:00pm
Watch Happy Hour on Kanopy, PlutoTV, Prime Video, or Criterion, then join us for a mini movie night to talk more about the films of Oscar nominee Hamaguchi Ryusuke
RSVP for Zoom link with “2/25 movie night” in the header

J-Sei At the Movies – the films of Ryusuke Hamaguchi

Friday, February 11, 6:30 pm via Zoom

The annual Academy Awards are approaching, and one director who is currently getting a lot of buzz is Japan’s Ryusuke Hamaguchi, who in 2021 premiered not one, but two films (Drive My Car and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy) to worldwide acclaim. Who is Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and what makes his films so special? We’ll spend the evening discussing his films and their international appeal.

Here is what we’d like to do: Before getting together on the 11th, each of us will watch Hamaguchi’s film ASAKO I & II (2018) on our own. You can access ASAKO I & II in a number of ways: via the streaming service Kanopy if you’re a library member (many public libraries also have the movie on DVD or Blu-ray); on the Criterion channel if you’re a subscriber; and for rent through Prime Video. Then, on February 11 we’ll all meet on Zoom to talk about that film and everyone’s thoughts about it.

ASAKO I & II (Japanese title: Netemo sametemo) is a “pop romance” depicting the perplexing love life of a young woman named Asako as she falls in love first with a charming drifter named Baku and then with young businessman Ryohei, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Baku but has a completely different personality. What will Asako do?

You are welcome to watch other Hamaguchi films if you can. DRIVE MY CAR is currently playing in theaters. WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY is not presently available, but may be shortly. HAPPY HOUR (2015) can be found on Kanopy, Criterion channel, Pluto TV, and Prime Video—this is an excellent film, but be warned: the entire movie runs for a total of 5 hours.

RSVP with “Feb Movie Night” in the subject line.
You’ll receive Zoom information prior to the event.

Please join us for this Valentine’s Day treat.

 

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

 

 

 

February 11 Bento

For movie night, you can order specially made obento from My Friend Yuji. Here are this month’s special offerings;

  • Asari sakamushi pasta (braised Manila clams in sake dashi and pasta) – $18
  • Pulled pork sandwich kit (homemade Hawaiian King style buns, lightly pickled cabbage and onions, slow-braised pork) – $18

 

MY FRIEND YUJI

To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click anywhere inside the box frame to open another pop-up and select the number of bento you want to order, then click on “Add item” to close the pop-up. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies is celebrating its fourth anniversary! We look forward to more creative programming with inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.

We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for your good energy and support!

New movie night subgroup for DVD lending & discussion

New movie night subgroup for DVD lending & discussion

by | Jan 5, 2022 | Classes & Events, Other News

Next meeting on Zoom – Sep 24 at 4pm
RSVP here (put “J-Sei K-Drama” in the subject line)

We will discuss:

  • Miss Night and Day, a Korean series currently on Netflix;
  • Recommendations for K-dramas or movies;
  • Continue our study of Korean history;
  • Pachinko season 2 has started on Apple+, which we will discuss in future (you might also want to rewatch season 1).

Also:

  • We are starting a subgroup devoted just to BTS! If interested in joining, please let Jane know (use RSVP link above).
  • Don’t forget: you can borrow a DVD. The list (see below) keeps growing!

New pilot program to share DVDs and discuss

J-Sei Movie Night members have been asking for a way to share their favorite films and learn about movies and TV shows that are available. During this long pandemic, it seems more important than ever to share our resources and make sure everyone is connecting and flourishing.

In that spirit, we’re initiating a program so that DVDs can circulate to interested folks. At the same time, we’re providing a forum for discussion and feedback, to discuss films, TV shows, and any other media of interest. We’ve also expanded our project to include other Asian and American films and TV dramas in addition to Japanese films and programs.

J-Sei is hosting a series of Zoom meetings to talk about topics of interest. First up is K-dramas: what folks have enjoyed and are currently watching and what makes K-dramas so compelling. The first discussion was held in January 2022. The K-drama genre has proven to be so popular that it is continuing as an ongoing group meeting for fans, both beginners and aficionados!

Take a look at the spreadsheet below. It shows a list of Korean TV dramas available for borrowing; there’s a separate sheet listing Japanese and Japanese American DVDs as well (if you’re interested, please let us know). The sheet shows series title/alternative title, year, synopsis, user ratings, and more. (Titles that are currently loaned out are highlighted in blue.) This resource list has been growing over time to include hundreds of DVDs of all kinds.

If you would like to borrow one or more items on the spreadsheet, please contact Jane Tanamachi (janetanama@yahoo.com). Please be sure to put “J-Sei DVD” in the subject line of your email.

All are welcome to participate — by borrowing or lending a DVD or by adding your feedback and ideas to our ongoing community chat.

Happy Viewing!

 

 

J-Sei At the Movies: A Movie Watch Party!

J-Sei At the Movies: A Movie Watch Party!

by | Dec 1, 2021 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At the Movies 4th anniversary watch party

Friday, December 10, 6:30 pm via Zoom

Can you believe it’s been four years of J-Sei Movie Night — and counting! Please help us celebrate with our dedicated group of movie lovers. We’ll look back over the past year of programs, and also we’ll welcome your ideas for future possibilities in 2022. Hopefully next year we can start to have more events in person and/or hybrid (fingers crossed).

As part of the evening’s festivities, we will watch a film together via livestream (film tbd). While watching, feel free to comment in real time in Chat. After the film, we’ll have a short discussion too. Please join the (virtual) party!

RSVP with “Dec Movie Night” in the subject line.
You’ll receive Zoom information prior to the event.

See you at the movies!

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

 

 

 

December 10 Bento

For movie night, you can order specially made obento from My Friend Yuji. Here are this month’s special movie night offerings:

  • Chirashi (mixed cured sashimi fish over akazu shari seasoned rice — will have some type of shellfish and sesame seeds) $40, +$10 to add uni
  • Karaage & Potato Sarada (chicken karaage, cabbage & Japanese potato salad) $15

Click on the button below to place your order.

You can pick up your meal at the selected pick-up time at J-Sei on Friday, December 10th. Please remember to wear a mask and observe social distance protocol. Thank you!

MY FRIEND YUJI

To order: When you click on the button above, it will take you directly to a pop-up order form on the My Friend Yuji webpage, where you first select a pickup time. In the next window, click anywhere inside the box frame to open another pop-up and select the number of bento you want to order, then click on “Add item” to close the pop-up. Click the “View order” bar at the bottom to confirm your order and click “Continue to payment” to sign in and pay for your order.

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies is celebrating its fourth anniversary! We look forward to more creative programming with inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.

We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for your good energy and support!

J-Sei At the Movies: Bringing Japanese American History to Light

J-Sei At the Movies: Bringing Japanese American History to Light

by | Nov 3, 2021 | Classes & Events

J-Sei At the Movies with Special Guests Sharon Yamato and Clement Hanami

Friday, November 19, 6:30 pm via Zoom

Technology brings together past and present from near and far as we welcome special guests Sharon Yamato and Clement Hanami joining us from Southern California to discuss their modern, innovative depictions of the Japanese American experience. In particular, we’ll learn about A Life in Pieces, currently on exhibit in three video modalities at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, and Sharon’s 2012 documentary, A Flicker in Eternity. Both vividly relate the tragically short life of a young Nisei named Stanley Hayami who at age 16 was incarcerated in Heart Mountain with his family, and who three years later was killed in Italy while serving as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. We will share special video presentations, including two of Sharon’s short films, that you will not want to miss. Please join us.

RSVP with “Nov Movie Night” in the subject line.
You’ll receive Zoom information prior to the event.

About Our Guests

SHARON YAMATO is a writer and filmmaker who produced and directed the documentary films Out of Infamy: Michi Nishiura Weglyn; A Flicker in Eternity; and Moving Walls, the latter based on her book Moving Walls: Preserving the Barracks of America’s Concentration Camps. With Nonny de la Peña she created A Life in Pieces and has also served as a consultant for the Japanese American National Museum. She has written articles for the Los Angeles Times and is currently a columnist for the Rafu Shimpo. She graduated cum laude from UCLA with bachelors and masters degrees in English.

CLEMENT HANAMI is Vice President of Exhibitions and Art Director at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles and has been with the Museum since it opened in 1992. He is primarily responsible for the design, installation, fabrication, and maintenance of the Museum’s major exhibits. Clement received his MFA from UCLA in Studio Art with a specialization in New Genres and has exhibited his work in California, New York, and Washington D.C. He was recently selected as one of Art Matters Foundation 2021 Artist2Artist Fellows.

J-Sei Movie Night Bento

We can’t believe we are already into November.  We will not have a bento offering in the month of November.  We encourage all to partake in the Harvest Celebration Lunch To-Go on November 12th.

And SAVE THE DATE for our J-Sei Movie Night Anniversary on Friday, December 10th.  We will have food and fun to toast the year! 

See you at the movies!

Support J-Sei At the Movies

Thanks to you, J-Sei At the Movies will soon be celebrating its fourth anniversary! We look forward to more creative programming with inspiring Japanese and Japanese American films. We are especially grateful for the up close and personal chats with filmmakers as we learn so much from the exchange.

We welcome any donations to help us offset costs for Movie Night. Thanks for your good energy and support!