14th New York Asian Film Festival

Jun 26 - Jul 11, 2015

FilmsGuestsSchedule & Tickets

Photo:

North American Premiere

Chasuke's Journey

天の茶助

Fresh from this year’s Berlinale competition, like Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire done via Japanese pop sensibility, Chasuke’s Journey follows a celestial tea server Chasuke – portrayed by versatile Matsuyama Kenichi (Death Note, Norwegian Wood) – as he descends to Okinawa in order to save a young girl Yuri (Ono Ito) from her fate scribed by heavenly hacks who crib from Hollywood blockbusters. The writers promise to transmit signs through the rich tapestry of characters he meets along the way, but Chasuke only has until 8:50pm, at which time Yuri’s fate is sealed. A meta-narrative on cinema, creation, fate, celebrity and enjoying ramen while you can, Chasuke’s Journey is filled with loveable losers, wildly kinetic single-take running, improbable plot contrivances, and an absolute love of the moving image.

Director: Sabu
Cast: Iseya Yusuke, Ohsugi Ren, Ono Ito, Matsuyama Kenichi
Languages: Japanese with English subtitles
2015; 105 min.; DCP

SCHEDULE:

Wednesday July 8, 7:30pm
Film Society of Lincoln Center

Director Sabu will attend the screening.

Sabu
サブ

Born Tanaka Hiroyuki (1964), Sabu is the cult auteur of “punk n' roll,” alternative comedies, often imitated, but never equaled. Heroes in Sabu's films are often blue and white collar everymen, tossed into dangerously absurd situations from which they desperately try to run. The Japanese filmmaker has drawn comparisons with Buster Keaton, Johnnie To, and Doug Liman, but his satirical jamborees, more than just friendly black comedies, are truly unlike anything else on the silver screen. He continues to push the boundaries of cinema with his new film, Chasuke's Journey (2015), which is the Centerpiece Presentation at this year's NYAFF.