Film Details

As a warm-up to this year's Tokyo Olympics, we look back to 1964, the last time the summer games were held in Tokyo. This new sports documentary from the director of John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection chronicles the thrilling rise of Japan’s 1964 women's volleyball team—a group of humble factory workers who became the pride of their nation with an unbelievable 258-game winning streak culminating in Olympic gold. Disparaged by some as "oriental witches," these women (and their punishing, perfectionist coach) remained tight and tough, and their triumph helped to establish postwar Japan as not just an "alien" upstart nation but a cultural and economic force to be reckoned with. Includes anime sequences, archival footage, and testimony by surviving team members. Cleveland premiere. Subtitles. 100 min.

Witches of the Orient, a Cinematheque streaming exclusive, can be viewed online from 7/16 thru at least 8/26 via the link below. Doing so supports the Cinematheque. Screening fee is $12 and you have 72 hours to watch it.