Neko Ninja

In the organizer's words:

猫忍 Nekonin

Director: WATANABE Takeshi
2017, 95 minutes, original language, Blu-ray

The "cat ninja" action film tells the story of a mysterious velvet paw as a fantasy comedy, relocated to the time of the Jidaigeki (historical film).

In a manor house, the renegade ninja Kagerôta encounters an overweight cat with golden fur and a red nose that bears a striking resemblance to his father Kuse Kenzan. Convinced that it is indeed the legendary ninja father who disappeared without a trace years ago, Kagerôta packs up the cat and sets off in search of a scroll describing the mythical abilities of warriors who change their appearance in order to win battles. It is supposed to help restore the father's human form, but the Kiryû clan is also after the scroll and pursues Kagerôta with two female ninjas.

Movie series
Sources of power in life
New additions to the film library of the Japanese Cultural Institute

Where do people find strength when they hit rock bottom or suffer setbacks? The films from the Cultural Institute's film library show in a variety of ways what possibilities there can be to gain new perspectives and find a way out of difficult situations.

The first film is a drama about a seemingly intact family whose structure is disrupted by the mother's illness(Bokutachi no kazoku). A young physiotherapist also develops new perspectives as a result of his father's illness(Shiori).

However, it is not just about external wounds, but also internal ones. Two young girls find new self-confidence by playing the drums(Ai ni hibike) and two adult women are confronted with the question of how happiness and money are connected during a love affair(Ano ko wa kizoku). Understanding each other helps to overcome differences, as the stories about a young Korean woman(Tsumugu) and a tofu store owner(Takano tôfu ten no haru) show.

Fun entertainment is also provided, as a cat turns out to be a ninja in an action comedy in the style of a jidaigeki (historical film) and the employees in an office are trapped in a time loop(MONDAYS). Finally, a documentary provides rare insights into Japan's national sport(Sumôdô).

Price information:

Admission free