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 Celebrating the 6th Anniversary of the AURORA FOUNDATION

"Yukie"
&
"Oriume"

2 films by Hisako Matsui

on Sunday, May 2nd, 2004

Aratani / Japan America Theatre
244 South San Pedro Street
(Little Tokyo), Los Angeles CA 90012

 Tickets

 "Yukie"
"Oriume" Ms. Hisako Matsui, Director

Click HERE to see the flyer! or HERE! (PDF file requires Acrobat Reader)


 "Yukie"     (1998 / 93 minutes)
In English with Japanese Subtitles
1:00 p.m.   Sunday, May 2, 2004


A love story, set in Louisiana, between a Japanese woman with Alzheimer’s disease and her American husband.

Impressed by the Akutagawa-winning novel in 1993, Hisako Matsui was obsessed with the idea of making “Yukie” into a film.   After 3 years of funding on her own, the moviemaking dream finally became a reality with the script written by Kaneto Shindo, a prominent movie director known for numerous films as “Gogo No Yuigon-Jo” [A Last Note].  

This is Ms. Matsui’s first time directing a film.  The crew, cast and staff were mostly Americans.  The production took almost a full year (1996), including the actual shoot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Jimmy Davis, former governor of Louisiana, sang the title song, “You Are my Sunshine,” at the age of 97.



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AWARDS:
Japan Film Makers Association Film Festival - 1997 Best Rookie Film

The Agency for Cultural Affairs - 1998 Best Film
Subsequent to the screening of each film, director Hisako Matsui (from Japan), will give a 30 min talk.   FILM FESTIVALS:
Japan Film Makers Association Film Festival 1997
New Orleans Urban Film Festival 1998
New York Brooklyn Museum - The Latest Japanese Film Series
The Ministry of Education, Special Film Selection.


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 "Oriume"     (2002 / 111 minutes)
In Japanese with English Subtitles
4:15 p.m.   Sunday, May 2, 2004

A story of struggle, hope, and unconditional love between a woman & her mother in law who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, set in a suburban city outside Nagoya.  

This film is based on a book which was presented to Hisako Matsui from a local housewife at a screening of “Yukie” in Aichi, Japan.  The book was the true story of the housewife, Motoko Kosuga’s experience with senior care.

While Matsui exerted herself in fund-raising to make a film of this book, some audience members who saw “Yukie” organized a grass-roots supporting team and assisted the “Oriume” production at all the stages from financing, and shooting all the way to its premiere to screening.

The film questions, “What will you do with your parents when they need senior care?” This is a dominant concern for everyone in Japan where the society is aging more rapidly than ever before.

This true-life film has generated great empathy and so far has been seen by more than a million people all over Japan.  This is Hisako Matsui's second film.
   


FILM FESTIVALS:

  • The Montreal International Film Festival 2002
  • Tokyo International Women’s Film Festival 2002
  • Pittsburgh Carnegie Foundation Japanese Film Series
  • The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Special Film Selection.
  •  

     
    Subsequent to the screening of each film, director Hisako Matsui (from Japan), will give a 30 min talk.

    "ORIUME" Official Website (in Japanese)

    www.oriume.com


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    Hisako Matsui: Director, Scriptwriter, Producer
    Ms. Matsui was born in 1946 in Tokyo, Japan. She graduated from Wasada Univ., majoring in Theatre Arts, and in 1989 she founded her own production
    company, Essen Communications, producing a number of TV plays and documentaries. Her directorial debut with “Yukie” (1997) received several prizes from film festivals in Japan. Her 2nd directed film, “Oriume” (2002), was selected for the Tokyo International Film Festival 2002 and the Montreal World Film Festival 2002.

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    Aratani / Japan America Theatre
    244 South San Pedro Street
    (Little Tokyo), Los Angeles CA 90012
    Boxoffice:  (213) 680-3700 (Mon. - Sat. 12pm-5pm)

    Advanced Ticket Sales:

    $17.00 for both films
    $9.00    for one film only

    Tickets purchased day of screening:
    $20.00   for both films
    $10.00   for one film only

    Aurora Club Members, JACCC Members, Seniors (over 60 years old with valid ID)
    Advanced Ticket Sales:
    $16.00 for both films
    $8.00    for one film only

    Tickets purchased day of screening:
    $18.00   for both films
    $9.00   for one film only
    Advanced Tickets are also available at:
    Kinokuniya Bookstore:
         Little Tokyo Store                   (213) 687-4480
          Costa Mesa Store                  (714) 662-2319
    Sawtelle Books & Music            (310) 477-8686
    Sanuki no Sato                             (310) 324-9184
    Kaede Shobo                                (310) 324-9892
    Book Value Rolling Hills Store   (310) 530-5343
    Yama Seafood                               (626) 281-8045

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    Presented by:
    The Aurora Foundation
    The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
    Sponsored by:
    Aratani Foundation
    The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Office
    Panasonic Company West
    Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.
       
    Media Sponsors:
    Lighthouse
    Rafu Shimpo
    Sushi & Tofu
    Team J Station
    United Television Broadcasting
    Supported by:
    Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles
    Japan American Society of Southern California
    Japan Business Association of Southern California
    Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California
    JETRO Los Angeles


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