Two Films by Makoto Shinkai: Anime Screenings at The Japan Foundation, Toronto

We at the Canada-Japan Society are pleased to advise that The Japan Foundation, Toronto is presenting two films by one of the leading talents in contemporary animation, Makoto Shinkai, known for his stunning visuals and thoughtful writing.

Of his debut feature, The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004) (see image below), Jeff Shannon of the Seattle Times wrote, "[this film] is also the best proof yet that anime cannot be dismissed as kid stuff. In theme, design and emotional depth, it's entirely worth of serious consideration, embracing but also transcending the fantastical spectacle that defines most of the genre's sci-fi and fantasy milestones."

5 Centimetres per Second (2006) (see image above) earned rich praise from Variety Magaine, who called it "an exquisite, light-drenched tone poem [that] ... vividly capture[s] the lost promise of youth."

Please see below for showtimes and location. Admission is free. Please note that RSVP's are required. (See below for a link to RSVP.)  Thank you!

5 Centimetres per Second (Monday, Sept. 24 and Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7pm)
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (Thursday, Sept. 27 and Monday, Oct 1 at 7pm)
Location: The Japan Foundation, Toronto
131 Bloor St. West, 2nd floor of the Colonnade Building
Admission: FREE
RSVP Required: http://www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php
Language: Japanese with English subtitles

September 27, 2012: Craft Beer Night at the Granite Brewery

Attention, Toronto beer lovers! Come out and taste locally-made beer at the Canada-Japan Society's first-ever CRAFT BEER NIGHT. Experience a wide variety of hand-crafted, all natural ales at Toronto's famous Granite Brewery. They have over 20 years of experience in making award-winning beers... and this is your chance to try them! Taste the difference of Canadian, hand-crafted, small batch beer, and - of course - enjoy an evening out and meet lots of interesting and fun people!

Admission to the event ($20) includes the beer tasting and a selection of finger foods.  Attendees are welcome to order more food or drink if they like (at their own cost).

Please note: if you are interested in attending, you MUST RSVP to jeff@cjst.ca no later than Wednesday, September 26. Space is limited. Attendees must be at least 19 years old. Bring ID.

CRAFT BEER NIGHT AT GRANITE BREWERY
Thursday, September 27, 2012
7-9 pm
Granite Brewery
245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto
(at Mt. Pleasant, approx 5-10 mins walk from Eglinton subway station)
Cost: $20

September 29, 2012: JCSA presents The Boat Cruise

Long-time members and friends of CJS may remember the annual summer boat cruise on Lake Ontario organized by CJS, JETAA, JCSA and JAVA, one of our most popular and successful annual events. Well, thanks to our good friends at the JCSA, "The Boat Cruise" is back on Saturday, September 29!

If you've been on a Toronto harbour boat cruise, you'll know that it's an amazing way to take in our scenic skyline. The Boat Cruise will feature DJs, dancing and more, including food and a cash bar - all in all a fun way to spend a Saturday night!  Tickets are $20 each.

Now, the organizers at JCSA have offered CJS a very limited number of tickets to sell to our members and non-members alike. It is expected that tickets will sell out quickly, so don't miss out on this opportunity!

What to do if you want tickets?  Please contact Jeff Harju at jeff@cjst.ca and indicate how many tickets you wish to purchase. IMPORTANT NOTE: tickets must be picked up and paid for at the next CJS Ichimoku-kai on Thursday, September 6.

Thank you - and we hope to see you on The Boat Cruise!

JCSA PRESENTS THE BOAT CRUISE
Saturday, September 29 (rain or shine)
7-11 pm (boarding time 6:30, boat departs at 7)
Boarding location: 333 Lakeshore Boulevard East (Pioneer Cruises)
Tickets: $20 each
DJs, dancing, cash bar, food available
ID required
Prizes for yukata and cosplay

September 6, 2012: September CJS Ichimoku-kai

The Labour Day weekend may soon be upon us, but summer's not over yet!  Join us at the Canada-Japan Society's Ichimoku-kai (IMK) on Thursday, September 6 for another great evening of cultural exchange, "oishii" Japanese food and drink, door prizes, and lots of fun!

Ichimoku-kai literally means the "first Thursday meeting" and since 1995 it has been the Canada-Japan Society's monthly social event, naturally taking place on the first Thursday of every month. It is a great place to make new friends, practise your English and/or Japanese, informally network, learn about life in Canada and Japan, and most of all... have fun! Typically, attendees are around 50 percent Canadian and 50 percent Japanese, all with a common interest in or connection to Japan. At IMK you will receive special food and drink discounts, get to talk to lots of interesting people, and have the chance to win some exciting door prizes.  It's sure to be a fun evening and we hope to see you there!

ICHIMOKU-KAI

Thursday, September 6, 2012

6-10 pm

Manpuku Japanese Eatery

105 McCaul Street

Units 20-31 (in the Village by the Grange building, south of the food court)

There is a $5 cover charge for non-CJS members. Discounts are available for groups of three or more people.

August 24, 2012: Farewell to CJS Movie Nights - FINAL Film Screening at National Film Board and an All-Inclusive Wine & Cheese Reception

Save the Date!  After SEVEN years of screening entertaining films about Japan, the Canada-Japan Society is wrapping up our CJS Movie Nights at the National Film Board Theatre. We will be showing our *final* film on Friday, August 24.  The evening will be a celebration of cultural exchange through movies and will feature Alain Corneau's critically acclaimed "Fear and Trembling (Stupeur et tremblements)", to be followed by an all-inclusive wine and cheese reception.

"Fear and Trembling" is based on the autobiographical novel by Amelie Nothomb, and is a comedic look at a young Belgian woman's epic struggle to fit into a large Japanese company in Tokyo. Sylvie Testud stars as Amelie, who grew up in Japan as a child, and whose life-long dream is to return there to work. She succeeds in landing a one-year contract job as an interpreter with a large Japanese company, but soon finds out that not everything is as she imagined it nor does speaking the language mean she can easily fit into another society. An epic struggle between East and West takes place and - of course - hilarity ensues!

We hope you can come out and enjoy an evening of fun, laughs, food and drink and help us celebrate seven wonderful years of sharing Japanese and Canadian culture through film.

PLEASE NOTE: As space is limited, if you wish to attend, you MUST RSVP to aobadai@rogers.com.

Thank you - and we hope to see you at our "wrap party"!

Fear and Trembling (Stupeur et tremblements)
(in Japanese and French with English subtitles)
6:30 pm start
National Film Board Theatre (2nd floor)
150 John Street (at Richmond)
CJS Members: $15
Non-CJS Members
RSVP: aobadai@rogers.com