Eddie Muller returns to #NoirCitySeattle today to resume his hosting duties for the rest of the festival. Today's line-up comprises four Japanese classics:
12:30 PM - A Colt is My Passport (Koruto wa Ore no Pasupōto)
3:00 PM - Branded to Kill (Koroshi no rakuin)
6:00 PM - Pale Flower (Kawaita hana) *35mm*
8:30 PM - Rusty Knife (Sabita naifu)
Full NOIR CITY line-up and tickets available at http://bit.ly/2OC6HZs
All films screen at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
12:30 PM
A Colt is My Passport (Koruto wa Ore no Pasupōto)
Japanese star Jô Shishido, in one of his first leading roles, plays a hit-man trapped between competing yakuza gangs. This combination of gangster picture, film noir, and Spaghetti Western is not only director Takashi Nomura's most famous film, it's the personal favorite of more than 170 films made by Shishido, one of Japan's most unique movie stars. Featuring an experimental score by Harumi Ibe and gorgeous cinematography by Shigeyoshi Mine.
Director:Takashi Nomura
1967, Japan. 84 minutes
3:00 PM
Branded to Kill (Koroshi no rakuin)
Jô Shishido is back, competing to be Hit-Man #1. His tale is told in a non-linear mosaic of absurdly dynamic sequences, assembled in seemingly random order. The head of Nikkatsu, producer of the film, branded it "incomprehensible" and vowed director Seijun Suzuki would never work again, but this colossal car wreck of a movie has become a favorite of style-loving cineastes. Leave logic at the door and deeply inhale a pure hit of cinematic mayhem.
Director: Seijin Suzuki
Japan, 1967. 91 minutes
6:00 PM
PALE FLOWER
Kawaita hana
An ex-con falls under the spell of a reckless young gambler whose pursuit of danger has no limits. A superbly stylish masterpiece of existential noir.
Digital presentation
Japanese with English subtitles
1964, Japan. 96 min.
Dir. Masahiro Shinoda
8:30 PM
RUSTY KNIFE
Sabita naifu
A young ex-con is enlisted to help bring down a yakuza boss, but he really wants to avenge the murder of his fiancé. Vital Nikkatsu crime–JD hybrid.
Digital presentation
Japanese with English subtitles
1958, Japan. 90 min.
Dir. Toshio Masuda