Ali Arsalan
The seventh ACA Cinema Project is bringing the U.S. premieres of ‘Yoko,’ ‘Ripple,’ and ‘Tea Friends’ to Hollywood. This series highlights the best in “Emerging Japanese Films” and serves as a centerpiece of the Japan Overseas Expansion Enhancement Project. From September 26 to 28, the Linwood Dunn Theater will host these culturally rich screenings, with VIPO overseeing the event.
ACA Cinema Project Kicks Off with U.S. Premiere of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s ‘Yoko’
The ACA Cinema Project commences on September 26 at 7:00 PM with the U.S. premiere of ‘Yoko,’ a quirky 113-minute road trip drama by director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri. This film marks the long-awaited reunion of Kumakiri and Oscar-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi, two decades after their acclaimed collaboration on ‘Hole in the Sky,’ which won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival.
September 27: Dark Comedy ‘Ripples’ Premieres at ACA Cinema Project
On September 27, the ACA Cinema Project features ‘Ripples’ (2023; 120 minutes). Directed by Naoko Ogigami, known for ‘Glasses,’ ‘Megane,’ and ‘Riverside Mukolitta’ (2022), the film follows a restrained matriarch navigating an unsettling mix of challenges—a disruptive earthquake, mounting debts, a terminally ill ex-husband, a hostile colleague, and her son’s girlfriend—pushing her to the edge.
Closing Night at ACA Cinema Project: ‘Tea Friends’ Premieres
On September 28, ACA Cinema Project concludes with ‘Tea Friends’ (2023; 135 minutes), directed by Bunji Sotoyama. Inspired by true events, the film offers an unconventional look at elderly relationships. Produced by ENBU Seminar, known for ‘One Cut of the Dead’ (2017), it delves into the lives of youthful club staff, mature female escorts, and lonely male retirees. Screenings start at 7:00 PM daily, with filmmaker discussions in September.
Each day’s screening begins at 7:00 PM, and details about in-person and virtual filmmaker discussions will be revealed in September.