Japanese-Cinema-Icon-2Saturday Afternoon at the Japanese Cinema is a monthly event showcasing Japanese movies. The movie and snacks are free courtesy of the MBT Sangha (temple members). Movies are shown each month except when the temple’s Social Hall is scheduled for other activity – so please check our website or call the temple to confirm the date – 312.943.7801.

The featured movie this month is: The Witch of the West Is Dead (w/subtitles)

Where: MBT Social Hall
When: February 15, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Suggested Donation: The movie and snacks are free!
Register: Please RSVP so we’ll know how many chairs to set up (email: office@mbtchicago.org or phone: 312.943.7801)

About “The Witch of the West Is Dead”

In the spirit of its grandmother heroine, The Witch of the West Is Dead is, above all, a patient film. It lingers on the dialogue, on the lush shots of Granny’s garden and her surrounding Japanese countryside, and on the unfolding confidence of Mai, a 13-year-old girl who can’t quite shake her kid fears. The film has a Zen-like approach. It is based on a popular children’s novel.

Mai (Mayu Takahashi) is shipped off by her concerned-but-busy mother (Ryo) to the house of her grandmother (American-born and Japanese-raised actor Sachi Parker). Granny is pretty much the ideal grandma: wise, loving, beautiful—and she makes a mean sandwich to boot. She’s also rumored to be a witch and, when asked, agrees to give Mai lessons on how to become one, too. Mai, perhaps too late, finds out what she’s really learning is how to find her own way in the world, even if it is populated by scary men and earthworms. The film’s end, though not a surprise, lands an emotional punch, after which you will either long for your own grandmother or, if you’re lucky, call her.

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