Non-profit pan-Asian film organization Sophia’s Choice today announces Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s last online program in anticipation of the end of stay-at-home order with more cities in the States opening up!
Father’s Day Cheer celebrates multiple phases of fatherhood, and fills the void of Japanese cinema missing on mainstream channels. Three films are exclusively offered to Asian Pop-Up Cinema for a one-time only stream in the U.S. between 2:00pm -10:00pm CDT on June 19-21.
Each father-themed movie will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles. This will be Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s last FREE streamed program before Season 11 (Sept 10 – Oct 10) and limited to 300 viewers per movie. Advanced registration is required on a title by title basis. More info: www.asianpopupcinema.org/otosan.
Friday, June 19
The Hikita’s are Expecting! (Chicago Premiere)
Director: Toru Hosokawa
Starring: Gaku Hamada, Shiro Ito, Keiko Kitagawa
2019 | 102 minutes
A 49-year-old writer and his wife are happily married without children. One day, his wife decides she wants a child and after numerous attempts to conceive, nothing happens. In frustration, they go to the hospital to get tests and answers. What they discover is not what was expected.
“We do not see many movies about a man’s perspective on what he goes through when trying to conceive a child with his wife. I am extremely pleased to be able to premiere this online for American audiences to enjoy!” Sophia Wong Boccio, curator of Asian Pop-Up Cinema.
Saturday, June 20
My Dad and Mr. Ito
Director: Yuki Tanada
Starring: Juri Ueno, Lily Franky, Tatsuya Fuji
2016 | 119 Minutes
Thrown out of his son’s home, an aging father moves in unannounced with his 35-year old daughter, Aya, and Mr. Ito, her boyfriend who is 20-years older than her. At 54,
Mr. Ito is right in the middle of the father and daughter’s lifespans, leading to awkward hilarity.
“Both funny and searing, the film addresses issues of family and the plight of Japan’s aging, unwanted generation.” —Rob Schwartz, Metropolis
Sunday, June 21
Survival Family
Director: Shinobu Yaguchi
Starring: Fumiyo Kohinata, Eri Fukatsu, Yuki Izumisawa, Wakana Aoi
2017 | 117 Minutes
Winner of Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s Season IV’s Audience Choice Award, Survival Family revolves around a family living in Tokyo struggles to survive in a world where all electricity has suddenly stopped. When Dad decides to escape from Tokyo with his wife and two tech obsessed teenagers are in search of electricity, hilarious chaos ensues and surprising tactics are revealed.
“…a family drama with thinly veiled morals and plentiful fish-out-of-water humor to boot.” – The Hollywood Reporter
