Film Details

In Japan silent films were accompanied not only by live music, but also by a benshi, or silent film narrator. Standing next to the screen, the benshi provided a running commentary on the movie while relaying the film’s story in a theatrical manner (playing multiple roles with a variety of voices). Some benshi were so popular that they were more of a draw than the movie itself! Though benshi disappeared with the coming of sound, some individuals kept the tradition alive. Tonight we welcome one of Japan’s foremost practitioners of this vanished art, Ichiro Kataoka, who will perform during a silent feature by the great Yasujiro Ozu (Tokyo Story). Kataoka was the star pupil of master benshiMidori Sawato (who performed at The Cleveland Museum of Art in 1989). He is also a film and television performer, a voice actor for video games, and a historian. Although Kataoka’s narration will be in Japanese, Ozu’s film—a moving drama about the relationship between an unemployed father and an equally destitute single mother—has English subtitles, as well as a music track. Kataoka will also answer audience questions after the screening.

35mm. 80 min. Silent Film with Live Narration by Benshi Ichiro Kataoka!

Special admission $11, members & CIA I.D. holders $9, age 25 & under $7 (with proof of age); no passes, twofers, or radio winners.Advance tickets available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Special thanks to Markus Nornes of the University of Michigan and Stacie Matsumoto and Haden Guest of Harvard University.