ちはやふる　下の句

CHIHAYAFURU PART II
(Special Summer Screening: July )

Following the thrilling Tokyo karuta tournament, Chihaya’s team challenges the national championship. However, Chihaya is soon devastated when she learns that long-lost childhood best friend Arata has quit karuta, crushing her dream of reuniting at the national tournament.

Chihaya channels her energy into training with her friends, but competition at national level is steep, and the opponents even stronger. When she learns about fellow high schooler Shinobu Wakamiya, the Queen of karuta, her determination turns into desperation and alienates her friends. Taichi tries to bring their dejected friend back to her senses but Chihaya is completely thrown off balance. Will she regain confidence in time to lead the team at nationals?

Starring Suzu Hirose, Mone Kamishiraishi, and Shuhei Nomura

Saturday, July 22 @ 2pm / 103min
In Japanese with English subtitles

続・深夜食堂

MIDNIGHT DINER PART II
(Special Summer Screening: July )

We are back at Meishi-ya where again the “master” deals with clients looking for good food and solutions to their problems; A stressed-out literary editor who always dresses in mourning attire meets a handsome stranger at the funeral of her most difficult client, but unseen complications ensue. Meanwhile Seiko, owner of the soba noodle restaurant across the street is pushing her reluctant son to take over the business. She then discovers he and one of her favourite customers are in love! When swindlers try to con a senior out of her life savings the Meishi-ya customers jump in to try to help.

Another heat-warmed and gently humorous look at life in the back streets of the capital.

Starring Kaoru Kobayashi, Joe Odagiri, Kimiko Yo, Mikako Tabe, Aoba Kawai, Koichi Sato, Midoriko Kimura, Sosuke Ikemastu, and Misako Watanabe.

Saturday, July 22 @ 4pm / 108min
In Japanese with English subtitles

ひるね姫　知らないワタシの物語

HIRUNE HIME – Ancien and The Magic Tablet
(Special Summer Screening: August )

Kokone should be diligently working on her college entrance exams but she simply cannot seem to keep awake. In the days before Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic Games, her father is suddenly and mysteriously arrested and it becomes clear that her family is harboring some big secrets. But the key to solving the mystery can only be found in Kokone’s dreams where she soon encounters strange and exciting adventures.

Kenji Kamiyama’s deliriously beautiful and imaginative film ties mind-bending fantasy with a heartwarming story of the love between parents and their child.

Voice acted by Mitsuki Takahata, Yosuke Eguchi, Arata Furuta, and Rie Kugimiya

Sunday, August 20 at 2pm / 110 min
In Japanese with English subtitles

赤毛のアン

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
(Special Summer Screening: August )

Ann of Green Gables speaks Japanese! Who knew?

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved character Anne Shirley has long been the face of Canada to many young Japanese to whom is known as Akage no An (Ann with the Red Hair). It is fitting then, that we bring you the fully Japanese-dubbed version - with English subtitles - of John Kent Harrison’s most recent interpretation the tale as a part of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival’s summer screening series.

Anne, 11-year-old orphan girl is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The story recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

The Canadian production has recently opened to critic and audience acclaim in Japan and stars Ella Ballentine as Anne, Martin Sheen, Sara Botsford, and Julia Lalonde.
“ANNE” ACTRESS ELLA BALLENTINE IN ATTENDANCE

Sunday, August 20 at 4pm / 90 min
Japanese dialogue with English subtitles
Tickets are $5 for kids under 16