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January 8, 2015
MOVIE | Experts Guide: Introduction to the Tokyo International Film Festival for Beginners (Part 2)
MOVIE | Make Your International Film Festival Debut This Year!
The "MoMA Film Collection" Opens October 24 (Fri)
Tokyo International Film Festival for Beginners: An Expert's Guide (2)
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) kicks off on October 23 (Thu). This year, OPENERS is highlighting the "MoMA Film Collection," a special collaborative project with TIFF that will be held at the National Film Center, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, starting October 24 (Fri). We asked Mr. Yoshiro Irie, a researcher at the Film Center who curated this feature, to explain five recommended programs from the total of 23 films.
Tokyo International Film Festival for Beginners (1) here
Text by IRIE Yoshiro
Edited by WATANABE Reiko (OPENERS)
A World-Class Film Collection, Presented in the Finest Prints
The Museum of Modern Art, known as MoMA, boasts a film department that was established in 1935, six years after the museum's founding, thanks to the dedicated efforts of British-born film critic Iris Barry. For the past 80 years, MoMA has continued to build an extensive collection and present ambitious screening programs.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see MoMA's world-class film collection in the best possible prints," says Mr. Irie. "The programs range from early American cinema to Hollywood productions and avant-garde films." Let's dive into his explanations.
Kentucky Pride
"This feature showcases works by masters who represent the history of American cinema, and 'Kentucky Pride' is a must-see for fans. It's a silent film crucial for understanding John Ford's early artistic development, and its unique concept and style—telling the story of two generations of racehorses through the horses' own narration—are astonishing. It's also known among European contemporary filmmakers and devoted fans as a 'lost Ford film.' A classic that foreshadows Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse.' Don't miss the screening with piano accompaniment on Sunday, November 2nd."
The Big Trail
"This epic Western, directed by Raoul Walsh and marking John Wayne's debut, is also renowned for its restoration by MoMA, which has preserved many films from decay. Filmed over 20 years before the advent of large-format cinema, it utilized the 70mm widescreen 'Grandeur' process. MoMA restored a 35mm exhibition print from the original negative in 1985, bringing it back to life. Experience this epic, advertised with '185 wagons, 1800 cattle, 1400 horses, 500 buffalo…,' on the Film Center's screen."
©2014 The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, a museum of Carnegie Institute. All rights reserved.
The Andy Warhol Program
"Andy Warhol's films are among the most popular in MoMA's collection. This year, a massive project to digitize approximately 500 film elements has also begun. This feature includes a film compiled from the 'Screen Tests' series, each featuring a single person filmed on one reel of film, and another capturing the legendary rock band The Velvet Underground & Nico's improvisational performance at Warhol's studio, 'The Factory.' Both will be screened in their original 16mm format, offering a rare opportunity."
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
"The progenitor of 'blaxploitation' cinema, in which Black director Melvin Van Peebles stars as a hero on the run from the police, achieving commercial success. While it perplexed critics and received an X rating for its depictions of violence and sex upon release, its style that defied convention and bold narrative approach profoundly influenced not only subsequent independent films but also major productions. In 2004, Van Peebles provided MoMA with the original negative, and the film was restored with the cooperation of Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation."
Photo Courtesy of Icarus Films
Decasia
"The title 'Decasia' is a portmanteau of 'decay' and 'fantasia.' Bill Morrison is a filmmaker who creates collage works using deteriorated film from old archives. MoMA is currently hosting a major retrospective of his work. This film, a prime example, has also garnered attention as the youngest film ever designated for the U.S. National Film Registry. It's a truly exceptional piece (special screening via DCP). The film's life and death intersect as the emulsion dissolves and erodes the images of its subjects."
In addition to the five programs handpicked by Mr. Irie, the festival will screen short films by D.W. Griffith, rare animations produced by Walt Disney himself, and a poignant documentary by a young Martin Scorsese about his parents, offering a glimpse into a diverse array of cinematic works. We encourage you to take this opportunity to appreciate the richness and uniqueness of MoMA's film collection.
*Excluding "The Comedy of Man in the Moon" and "Flushing Meadows"
IRIE Yoshiro
Chief Researcher, The National Film Center, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Graduated from the Department of Film, College of Art, Nihon University. Completed Master's Program (Theater Studies) at Graduate School of Letters, Waseda University.
Since 1995, he has been a researcher at the National Film Center, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, involved in the acquisition, preservation, screening, and exhibition of film prints and related materials.
"MoMA Film Collection"
Dates | October 24 (Fri) – November 9 (Sun) *Closed Mondays
Venue | The National Film Center, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Main Hall
3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Capacity | 310 seats (separate admission for each screening) *299 seats for programs with benshi (narrator) and live accompaniment
Admission | General ¥1300 / High School, University, Seniors ¥1100 / Elementary & Junior High School ¥520 / Persons with Disabilities (one accompanying person generally permitted) ¥520, Campus Members ¥900 (students), ¥1000 (faculty/staff) *Special rates for co-presented events
*Tickets are valid only for the screening date. Ticket sales and doors open 30 minutes before the start time. Sales will close once capacity is reached.
*A maximum of one ticket per person per screening.
*Presenting a ticket stub from this feature offers a discount on admission (General ¥1100 / High School, University, Seniors ¥1000).
Organized by | The National Film Center, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Community Cinema Center; Tokyo International Film Festival; Motion Picture Association (MPA); Japan Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology
Special Cooperation | The Museum of Modern Art, New York
http://www.momat.go.jp/FC/fc.html
http://2014.tiff-jp.net/ja/