Celebrating Female Perspectives in Cinema: Bunkamura's Upcoming Special Screening

Bunkamura Le Cinema in Shibuya is set to host a special screening titled "Open Your Eyes When the Light Goes Out" from August 7 to August 27, 2023. This event celebrates the ongoing exhibition "Miracles of Perception: Adventures of Japanese Female Photographers", currently held at Hikarie Hall, Shibuya. The screening will showcase a series of six carefully curated programs featuring video works by artists represented in the exhibition, along with various unique pieces that highlight their artistic journeys.

Overview of the Screening Programs

1. Programs A & B: The first two programs will feature the works of prominent artists such as Mari Katayama, Rinko Kawauchi, Hiroko Komatsu, Rika Noguchi, Miwa Yanagi, and Mayumi Hosokura. These artists, well-known for their active contributions to visual arts and exhibitions, will have their works screened for the first time in a cinema setting, providing a rare opportunity to experience their narratives and visuals in an immersive environment. The purpose of these screenings is to invite audiences into the dark of the cinema to reflect on the profound experience of art.

2. Program C: Chikako Yamashiro, a dynamic video artist known for her powerful storytelling through photography, video, and performance, will present a collection of six selected works under the theme titled "Quivering". This program promises a deep dive into the emotional resonance of her artistic expression, blending personal, historical, and cultural narratives.

3. Programs D & E: Focused on the theme “There is a Camera There”, these segments will showcase "I Am Dragonfly", a self-documentary by Korean filmmaker Hong Da-ye, capturing her personal journey from high school to university, and "Letter from Home" by acclaimed director Chantal Akerman, featuring an intimate reading of a letter against the backdrop of New York City. These works explore the filmmakers’ relationships with their camera and the world around them, inevitably drawing the audience into their introspective journeys.

4. Program F: This program, titled "I Want to See You Too — The Returning Gaze", will present “Delphine and Carol,” a documentary that delves into the intersection of feminist movements in the 1970s, highlighting the encounter between legendary actress Delphine Seyrig and video artist Carole Roussopoulos. This particular screening commemorates Seyrig's earlier work "Beautiful, Keep Silent" (1976) and focuses on the oft-overlooked narrative of women behind the camera.

Special Screening Event and Pricing

The special screening is limited and will run from August 7 to August 27, 2023, at Bunkamura Le Cinema in Shibuya. Ticket prices are set at 1,500 for general admission and seniors, 1,000 for students and those with disabilities. Additionally, anyone presenting a ticket from "Miracles of Perception: Adventures of Japanese Female Photographers" will enjoy a 200 discount on admission.

As the event promises to reshape our understanding of the visual arts, the six programs comprise a total of 20 diverse works that illuminate the language of "gaze" in cinema. This unique screening will invite viewers not only to witness art but to explore their reflections through the lens of various female perspectives which often shine in the shadows of traditional cinematic narratives.

For more details, visit the official cinema website: Bunkamura Le Cinema.