Movie Night - "The Twilight Samurai" on Nov. 20/09

The CJS’s 2009 – 2010 Movie Nights series continues on Friday, November 20th with a screening of “The Twilight Samurai”.

Seibei, a lowly samurai, toils under financial hardship to raise his two daughters after his wife’s untimely death. He is nicknamed Twilight, for he always returns straight home after work to care for his family, never socializing with colleagues. Through an unfortunate turn of events, Seibei is forced to confront issues of courage, honour and love.

Director Yoji Yamada, perhaps best-known for his prolific output of Tora-san (Otoko wa tsurai yo) movies, brings a surprising perspective on the samurai period drama (jidai geki). Set in the late Tokugawa Period – near the twilight of the samurai years – the film portrays the domestic life of the average samurai, who struggle for survival with no wars to fight. Those expecting the usual hardboiled, sword-brandishing machismo will be surprised by this sentimental, quietly-paced work.

“The Twilight Samurai” swept the 2003 Japanese Academy Awards, winning in 12 categories including Film, Director, Screenplay, Actor, Actress, and Cinematography. It also earned a 2004 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.


The Twilight Samurai (2002, 129 minutes)
Director: Yoji Yamada
Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa

Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm
National Film Board of Canada
150 John Street (at Richmond), 2nd Fl.

CJS members: $5
Guests: $10

After-party at Everest Café (232 Queen St. W.) – join us!