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There are not many Japanese pop musicians that can sell out concert venues outside of their home country. Recently, a younger generation of listeners gets hooked on the hedonistic vibe of the so-called “City pop”-genre, whose catchy 80s melodies spread throughout the internet and gathered a viral fellowship. But there is more to the Japanese music industry than just flashy neon lights and songs about heartbreaks.

No Smoking is screening at Japan Cuts

In “No Smoking” director Taketoshi Sado introduces the legendary producer, singer, actor, and bass player Haruomi Hosono, who gained international success as part of the electro band “Yellow Music Orchestra” and through his work on the soundtrack for Koreeda’s Academy-Award nominated film “Shoplifters” (2018).

Proceeding from a video and picture archive-based retelling of Haruomi’s upbringing in postwar Japan, the documentary increasingly connects stages of his past with the present by showing concert clips from the latest US tour.

Exclusive: New York’s Japan Society has unveiled the full line-up for the 15th edition of Japan Cuts: Festival Of New Japanese Film, the largest celebration of Japanese cinema in North America.

Running August 20 – September, the hybrid online and in-theater event will welcome 27 features and 12 short films including 32 films available online throughout the U.S. and 14 screenings of eight films on the big screen in Japan Society’s auditorium.

The fest will kick off with the U.S. Premiere of Soushi Matsumoto’s sci-fi coming-of-age story It’s A Summer Film! The title will be presented online and in person.

Also in person will be the fest’s centrepiece presentation, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Venice Film Festival Silver Lion-winning Wife of a Spy, a thriller tale of suspicion, betrayal and love set during WWII. The film’s star, Yu Aoi, will be the recipient of this year’s Cut Above Award from the Japan Society,...