Eiga Nights – Ninja in Film
Free Film Screening Program
March 14 & 20, 2019
The ninja, a sleuthing assassin clad in all black, is a figure that has fascinated world and ignited the imaginations of writers. Making appearances in books and plays since 1700s Japan, the ninja character continues to be a hero in popular culture from around the world. Ninja were first introduced on screen outside of Japan in the 1967 James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, and has inspired the popular American comic series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Japanese manga publication, Naruto. This month’s Eiga Nights selection will cast a spotlight on two films that focus on ninja as a re-imagined hero in film.
Header image © 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO /2007 SHIPPUDEN © NMP 2009
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire (劇場版NARUTO -ナルト- 疾風伝 火の意志を継ぐ者)
Dir Masahiko Murata / 2009 / 95 mins / Cast: Junko Takeuchi, Kazuhiko Inoue, Chie Nakamura / Japanese with English subtitles / M, animated violence
March 14 (Thursday), 6:30pm – 8:05pm
Ninja Naruto Uzumaki has always respected his teacher, Kakashi Hatake—but his loyalty is about to be put to the test.
Ninjas with inherited family techniques begin to disappear from all the Hidden Ninja Villages, except one – the Hidden Village of Leaf, Naruto’s home. Increasing suspicion among the Villages is leading to another Great Ninja War, as well as an invasion of the Hidden Village of Leaf. The leader of the Village Tsunade must apprehend those truly responsible and prove her village’s innocence; though that might be difficult when famed ninja Kakashi Hatake suddenly disappears.
GOEMON
Dir Kazuaki Kiriya / 2009 / 123 mins / Cast: Yosuke Eguchi, Takao Osawa, Ryoko Hirosue / Japanese with English subtitles / MA15+ Restricted
March 20 (Wednesday), 6:30pm – 8:33pm
Based on a Japanese folk legend that echoes the tale of Robin Hood, this ninja thriller follows the exploits of Goemon Ishikawa in 1582. A ninja and thief, Goemon spends his days ‘reallocating’ wealth from the rich to the poor when one day he liberates a handcrafted wooden box from a rich merchant. Within the box are secrets worth killing for that could change Japan’s future forever, and so Goemon must face the cruel ruler of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his army as they attempt to reclaim the box of secrets.
Presented by
EVENT DETAILS
All films start at 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm)
March 14, Thursday
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire (M)
6:30pm – 8:05pm
March 20, Wednesday
GOEMON (MA15+)
6:30pm – 8:33pm
Screening will be held in a seminar room type event space, not a movie theatre. Bean bags and chairs are available as seating.
Please feel free to bring bottled non-alcoholic drinks and snacks (no hot food please).
ADMISSION
Free, limited capacity. Walk-in only, bookings not necessary.
VENUE
The Japan Foundation, Sydney
Level 4, Central Park
28 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008
ENQUIRIES
Do you have queries about the film? Planning to attend but coming from far away? Please contact reception at (02) 8239 0055 or