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MOVIE
January 17, 2015
MOVIE | A members-only online cinema is born, with films selected by eight unique curators, including Ryuichi Sakamoto.
MOVIE | A Members-Only Online Cinema, Curated by Eight Unique Personalities
A Members-Only Online Cinema is Born
To preserve visual expression and film culture, the cinema "THEATRE TOKYO" has been "constructed" online. This new initiative invites eight distinctive curators, including musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, actor Jun Murakami, and rakugo performer Karyu Yanagiya, to select and screen "what deserves to be shown now."
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
A Novel Approach Where Viewing Experience Varies by Seat
"THEATRE TOKYO" is an exclusive, invitation-only cinema built on the web. It was conceived as a cinema without a physical form to protect endangered film culture and freedom of expression.
Its defining feature is the ability to recreate the real cinema experience within the digital realm. Just as in a physical cinema, the way a film is viewed can change depending on your seat, pre-show trailers are screened, and lobby advertising spaces are provided, offering a truly immersive experience.
The venue comprises three theaters: "THEATRE Premier," "THEATRE A," and "THEATRE B," each with a capacity of 80. It operates on a membership system where existing members can extend invitations. After logging in, members select their desired viewing date, time, and seat to watch a film.
The films screened are selected from both domestic and international works that may not have had opportunities for exhibition, have not been released on DVD after their theatrical run, or were released on DVD but not theatrically. These selections are made by "THEATRE TOKYO" and its eight curators: musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, film directors Sion Sono and Kaizo Hayashi, art director Mitsuo Shindo, visual artists Hiroki Tange and Koichiro Tsujikawa, actor Jun Murakami, and rakugo performer Karyu Yanagiya.
From left: Ryuichi Sakamoto (Musician), Sion Sono (Film Director), Kaizo Hayashi (Film Director), Mitsuo Shindo (Art Director), Hiroki Tange (Visual Artist), Koichiro Tsujikawa (Visual Artist), Jun Murakami (Actor), Karyu Yanagiya (Rakugo Performer)
Upcoming screenings include Jeremy Gilley's "The Day After Peace" until July 13 (Fri), and from July 7 (Sat) to July 20 (Fri), Nagisa Oshima's "Death by Hanging" (1969), curated by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Future plans include events centered around talk shows. Participation in these events offers a chance for interested individuals to become members.
This novel cinema, which recreates the real cinema experience online, presents a new form of cinematic engagement. It will be fascinating to see what works the curators will select and screen in the future.
Fees: ¥300/month or ¥3,000/year (credit card payment)
Viewing Fee: "Donation" system, determined by viewers after each screening
THEATRE TOKYO
https://www.theatre-tokyo.com/