VIZ CINEMA CELEBRATES SPRING WITH A COLORFUL SCHEDULE OF DELICIOUS EVENTS AND UNIQUE FILM SCREENINGS FOR APRIL
Theatre Welcomes Director Yuri Nomura For The Premiere Of Eatrip, Screens New Films Sakuran And Gravity’s Clowns, Announces A Special Gundam Movie Marathon
And Much More!
San Francisco, CA, March 29, 2010 – April welcomes Spring, and VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, celebrates the season of the sakura (cherry blossom) with a colorful – and tasty – schedule of films and fun events.
Don’t miss a very rare personal appearance by Director Yuri Nomura for the U.S. premiere of her acclaimed documentary film about gastronomy, Eatrip. Known widely in Japan as a chef, author and teacher, and also for her Food Creative Team, “Eatrip,” that takes ‘eating’ to the next level. Eatrip created a buzz in film festivals worldwide and now comes to San Francisco!
SAKURAN Nomura will attend the U.S. premiere of Eatrip at VIZ Cinema on April 10th as part of the 43rd annual Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are available to attend a unique dinner and discussion with the Nomura, hosted in association with Sylvan Mishima Brackett, owner of PEKO-PEKO and the former creative director at the world-renowned restaurant, Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, CA. VIP tickets are $50.00 and include dinner and reception (April 10th, 7:00pm) and are now available for purchase online.
Other new films opening in April include Sakuran, Gravity’s Clowns and a special Gundam Forever Movie Marathon! Science fiction fans can also look forward to the next installment of TokyoScope: The Wild and Crazy World of Japanese Cult Films Vol. 2, which this month focuses on MECHA MANIA: Four Decades of Slam-Bang Sci-Fi Robot Anime, and a special screening of K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces to celebrate the release of the film on DVD by VIZ Pictures on April 20th. Preview trailers and screening times for all films are available at: http://www.vizcinema.com.
Sakuran, March 26th – April 8th
Cinema starlet Anna Tsuchiya, who first thrilled audiences as the brash and spunky biker in Kamikaze Girls, returns with similar on-screen swagger but melts this time with sensuality in Sakuran. The film is based on a popular manga comic about the life of a girl with an unfortunate childhood and brought up to become a Yoshiwara courtesan during Tokyo’s Edo era. The film is alight with bright and colorful sizzle and a unique soundtrack by pop diva Sheena Ringo. This film contains nudity. Parental guidance is recommended.
Tokyo Scope: The Wild and Crazy World of Japanese Cult Films
Vol.2 MECHA MANIA: Four Decades of Slam-Bang Sci-Fi Robot Anime – Friday, April 9th 7:00pm
Join Patrick Macias, Editor-in-Chief of OTAKU USA, as he hosts the second lecture in his ongoing series about Japanese cinema. This time it’s all about ‘mecha’ (robots and machines). Macias gives insights into the long and storied world of mecha anime from its inception in the 60’s with Tetsujin 28, and on through the 80s with Gundam and the dawn of a new generation of films such as Gurren Lagann. Tickets are $8:00. No further discounts will apply.
Gundam Movie Marathon, Saturday, April 10th – One Day Only!
Mobile Suit Gundam Movie I, 11:00am
Mobile Suit Gundam Movie II: Soldiers of Sorrow, 1:35pm
Mobile Suit Gundam Movie III: Encounters in Space, 4:05pm
VIZ Cinema’s Weeknight Anime People makes a special weekend stop with an afternoon of Gundam! In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, the Earth Federation and its space colonies are engaged in an apocalyptic war. The rebellious Duchy of Zeon, using humanoid fighting machines called Mobile Suits, has all but vanquished the Federation. Now the Federation’s last hope is the prototype Mobile Suit, Gundam. When a twist of fate makes young civilian Amuro Ray the sole-pilot of Gundam, Amuro’s own battle begins – a struggle not only for the Federation’s survival, but for his own. General ticket price: $10:00; Combo tickets are $25:00. No further discounts will apply.
Eatrip, April 10th – April 15th
Eatrip explores the interpersonal relationships that food nurtures. This documentary includes interviews with actor Tadanobu Asano, singer UA, tea master Sen Souoku, and many others. It takes you on a journey throughout Japan to look at how life can be led optimally through the daily ritual of eating. To eat is indeed to live. Life is just an “eating trip” (Eatrip). Director Yuri Nomura will attend the U.S. premiere of Eatrip at VIZ Cinema on April 10th.
Gravity’s Clowns, April 16th – April 29th
Based on the emotionally haunting suspense thriller, A Pierrot, by Kotaro Isaka, Gravity’s Clowns follows brothers Izumi and Haru, who both hold bitter memories from the past. When a serial arsonist begins leaving mysterious graffiti by burn sites, they become obsessively drawn to solving the dangerous case on their own. As they uncover the facts, their own dark family secrets are unraveled.
K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces, Thursday, April 20th, 7:00pm
Celebrate the release of K-20 on DVD by VIZ Pictures with this special one-night-only screening. It is 1949 in Japan, in a world where World War II never happened and the nobility system is still in place. Heikichi, a circus acrobat, is deceived by “The Fiend (Kaijin) with Twenty Faces”, a.k.a. K-20, and is set up to take the fall for the phantom thief. Now, Heikichi must wage war against K-20. The character K-20 is originally from the bestseller mystery novel series by Rampo Edogawa. Stars Takeshi Kaneshiro, Takako Matsu, and Toru Nakamura. Tickets to attend movie-only are: $10; or to attend the film and take home the brand new DVD, a K-20 poster, and more for only $25.00.
VIZ Cinema is the nation’s only movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system.
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com.
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Press Release for February 24, 2010  Guardian Arts Series Invites Fans To RSVP For V.I.P. Reception Party And Screening Of Exciting SciFi Action Film At The Unique Japanese Pop Culture VenueSan Francisco, CA, December 10, 2009 – NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, joins with the San Francisco Bay Guardian newspaper as the Guardian Arts Series presents a complementary V.I.P. screening of 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End on Friday, December 17th at VIZ Cinema.  20th Century Boys Theatre-goers can enjoy snacks and beverages at San Francisco’s gateway to Japanese pop culture during a special reception from 6:00pm - 7:15pm with the film scheduled to screen at 7:30pm. The Guardian Arts Series presents a variety of exciting and affordable events appealing to the Bay Area’s arts enthusiastsTo attend this event, please RSVP to an invitation posted on the NEW PEOPLE web site at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com or also on the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s web site at: www.sfbg.com/promo. Only those who RSVP will be eligible to attend and reception capacity will be limited to 300 persons. The private screening of 20th Century Boys will be open to the first 125 people who check in at the V.I.P. reception so get there early! Also browse the Guardian’s Facebook page for another opportunity to attend! The deadline to enter the Facebook contest is December 14th. NEW PEOPLE and VIZ Cinema are located at 1746 Post St. in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Japantown. Based on the best-selling manga series by Naoki Urasawa, this first chapter of the 20th Century Boys film trilogy revolves around the “Book of Prophecy” written by a boy named Kenji and his friends, who imagine a hero who will stand up to an evil organization plotting to destroy the world. Thirty years later, a series of global catastrophes occur exactly as they were described in their book. With the power of music, will Kenji be able to save the world from destruction?! VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system. NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com.  “Hit Me With Music” Complements The Holidays With Four Films Featuring Rollicking Soundtracks At The Nation’s Premier Venue For Japanese Pop CultureSan Francisco, CA, December 3, 2009 – VIZ Cinema, the nation’s first and only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, presents music as the theme for its December program that features a quartet of critically acclaimed movies. “Hit Me With Music, Volume 1” kicks off with the high school rock and roll melodrama, Linda Linda Linda , to be followed by 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End for a special two-week run to celebrate the new DVD release from VIZ Pictures. The theatre’s popular Weeknight Anime People will delight fans with a special presentation of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and the month concludes with the coming of age musical drama Shindo. Preview trailers and a complete list of screening times are available at: http://www.vizcinema.com.  The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Linda Linda Linda, December 4th-10thOnly three days before their high school festival, guitarist Kei (Yu Kashii), drummer Kyoko (Aki Maeda of Battle Royale), and bassist Nozomi (Shiori Sekine) are forced to recruit a new lead singer for their band. They choose a shy Korean exchange student named Son (Doona Bae of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), even though her comprehension of Japanese is a bit rough! It’s a race against time as the group struggles to learn three songs for the festival’s rock concert – including a classic 80’s punk-pop song “Linda Linda” by the Japanese group The Blue Hearts. The film notably offers a soundtrack by ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and a cameo by punk rock legends The Ramones. 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End, December 11th-24th By popular demand! 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End returns to VIZ Cinema to celebrate the highly anticipated DVD release! Based on the best-selling manga series by Naoki Urasawa, this first chapter of the film trilogy revolves around the “Book of Prophecy” written by a boy named Kenji and his friends, who imagine a hero who will stand up to an evil organization plotting to destroy the world. Thirty years later, a series of global catastrophes occur exactly as they were described in their book. With the power of music, will Kenji be able to save the world from destruction?! A special DVD release event is scheduled for Friday, December 11th at 7:30pm. Admission is $25.00 and also includes a copy of the DVD. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, December 15th-16th Underachieving high school student Makoto Konno recently started hearing voices and having strange visions that can’t be explained. One day while riding her bike home from school she gets hit by a train – but doesn’t die. Instead she finds herself transported back in time to a few moments before the accident, allowing her to escape in time. After learning that she has this unique ability to “leap” through time, Makoto begins to use it in her everyday life to deftly avoid just about every mundane inconvenience or socially awkward situation. However, when she uses her powers too much with her closest friends, she discovers that the benefits of time travel aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Shindo, December 26th- January 7th REGIONAL PREMIERE Shindo is based on a manga series created by Akira Sasou. Wao is a high school graduate wanting to go to music school and he meets Uta, a 13-year-old child prodigy pianist. Uta often skips lessons behind her mother’s back but she takes a liking to Wao, who is completely devoted to the piano. Uta soon begins to regularly visit Wao’s family vegetable shop and although they are not lovers or siblings, their relationship grows close through the pair’s shared love of music. Actor Kenichi Matsuyama gives an excellent performance as the young man, Wao, while Uta is played by Riko Narumi, a talented up and coming actress. This is her first starring role in a feature film. VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system. NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com. |
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VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, has announced a variety of notable film screenings, festivals, lectures and other special events to be held throughout the month of March.
