Universal Human Emotions Portrayed Through Awkward Characters

A filmmaker who left us in February 1989, at the age of 59.──John Cassavetes. His body of work, and his spirit, which earned him the title "Father of Independent Film," continue to influence directors worldwide, transcending the boundaries of Hollywood, independent cinema, and national borders, even 23 years later.




"When watching Cassavetes' films, prior knowledge is of little consequence. You simply watch. You encounter. You are surprised. The stories themselves are simple, requiring no complex character maps or timelines. There are no contrived expressions. It is simply the raw depiction of people struggling with relationships, grappling with 'loneliness' and 'aging,' and fighting desperately to grasp love. The impact comes from the feeling that it is all happening right now, in front of the camera."──Hiroko Matsuda (Film Producer)

Timeless Masterpieces That Resonate with the Viewer's Heart Through the Nuances of Their Characters──What do they ask of us, once again? Whether you are nostalgic for them or unfamiliar with his work, do not miss this precious opportunity.


John Cassavetes Retrospective
From May 26th, at Theater Image Forum and other theaters nationwide!
http://www.zaziefilms.com/cassavetes/

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Story
In Manhattan, New York, live the three siblings Hugh, Ben, and Lelia. Unlike their elder brother Hugh, who has Black heritage, his younger siblings Ben and Lelia inherited more Caucasian blood and appear outwardly white. Hugh is a struggling singer. The family's livelihood depends on Hugh, but the jobs his friend and manager Rupert brings him are mostly opening acts for strip shows or emceeing at seedy clubs. Ben dreams of becoming a trumpet player but is plagued by a sense of powerlessness, wandering the city day and night, living a fleeting life of seducing women. Lelia is sensible and unworldly, cherished by her brothers. Wounded by love and dreams, the siblings, with their differing skin tones, each harbor complex emotions as they gaze upon their lives and begin to walk forward on the streets of New York.

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Story
An unbridgeable chasm existed between businessman Richard and his wife Maria. One day, an altercation arises between Richard and his colleague Freddy over the high-class call girl Jenny. Richard, returning home with complex feelings, asks Maria for a divorce and goes directly to Jenny. Heartbroken, Maria goes out with her female friends to a disco, where she meets a young man named Chet. That night, the four women, disoriented by a man, part ways, and Maria ends up with Chet. The next morning, Maria, coming to her senses, cannot bear the weight of her actions and attempts suicide. Richard returns home. Shocked, Richard berates Maria, but there is no longer any love between them. An awkward silence fills the air as loneliness and quiet envelop the surroundings...

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Story
Nick, a construction site supervisor, was supposed to spend the evening with his wife Mabel, but a sudden accident cleanup prevents him from returning home. Shocked by this, Mabel runs out into the night and spends the night with a stranger. The next morning, she tries to act cheerful in front of her husband, but her loss of control becomes increasingly apparent, and Nick finally yells at her. Mabel's behavior then becomes noticeably erratic. Nick loves Mabel deeply but decides to have her admitted to a hospital. Six months later, Mabel returns home, calmer but lacking her usual vitality. Nick tells her she doesn't need to suppress herself, but Mabel becomes agitated and attempts suicide. Eventually, as her excitement subsides, they begin to tidy the room. In the silence after the turmoil, the couple seems to be looking at each other anew.

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Story
Cosmo owns a rundown club in Las Vegas. Though not large, it boasts beautiful strippers and the act of comedian Mr. Sophistication, and he takes pride in his stage. One day, having finally paid off his debts for the club's operation, Cosmo feels a sense of liberation and heads out into the city. There, he suffers a major gambling loss and incurs a large debt to the mafia. To clear his debt, Cosmo undertakes the assassination of a mob boss known as the Chinese Bookie. However, while escaping, he is shot in the side by an associate. Wounded, Cosmo heads not to the hospital, but to his club. But as he faces the audience, the stage is empty. Cosmo takes the stage himself, makes an announcement, and ushers in Mr. Sophistication, before retreating to the back. He lights a cigarette, clutching his bleeding side.──.

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Story
Myrtle Gordon, a stage actress, has dedicated her life to acting since before she turned 40. One day, amidst a throng of adoring fans, a fervent fan named Nancy rushes into the road after Myrtle's car and is tragically hit by an oncoming vehicle. Witnessing the accident, Myrtle is deeply distressed and begins to see visions of the deceased Nancy, gradually losing her mental balance. Myrtle, whose rehearsals are frequently interrupted, disappears on the opening night of "The Second Woman," a play she has been developing with her close colleagues.──.

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Story
Robert, a popular writer with several divorces, lives in a house in the Hollywood suburbs with his secretary and several young women in a peculiar communal arrangement. Meanwhile, Robert's sister, Sarah, is on the verge of ending her 15-year marriage to Jack. One day, Robert agrees to look after his son Alby from a previous marriage for a single day... The brother, unable to figure out how to interact with his own child, hurts Alby, and in turn, pains himself. The sister, unable to balance her own sensitive nerves with her fiery temperament, loses her husband and daughter, yet still dreams of reconciliation with her family. Each harboring their own thoughts, the siblings part ways again without exchanging words.