A Letter to Momo (film screening)
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November 12 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST
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A Letter to Momo
ももへの手紙
Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 PM (ET)
Doors Open 5:30 PM | JFT Event Hall | Free Admission | Registration Required
Directed by OKIURA Hiroyuki • 2011 • Anime / Fantasy • 120 minutes • Presented in Japanese with English subtitles • Trailer
From the creators of Ghost in the Shell comes a wonderfully expressive and beautifully hand-drawn animated tale that combines bursts of whimsy and kinetic humor with deeply felt emotion and drama.
The last time Momo saw her father they had a fight – and now all she has left to remember him by is an incomplete letter, a blank piece of paper penned with the words “Dear Momo,” but nothing more. Moving with her mother to the remote Japanese island of Shio, Momo soon discovers three yōkai living in her attic, a trio of mischievous spirit creatures that only she can see and who create mayhem in the tiny seaside community as she tries desperately to keep them hidden. But these funny monsters have a serious side and may hold the key to helping Momo discover what her father had been trying to tell her.
A Letter to Momo was seven years in the making, and the handmade animation is superb, from the painstakingly rendered serenity of the island’s Shinto shrines to the climactic finale – a frantic chase featuring thousands of squirming, morphing ghosts and spirits that is the best cinematic flight of supernatural fancy in years.
Director Profile:
OKIURA Hiroyuki (沖浦 啓之, born October 13, 1966 in Katano, Osaka) is a Japanese animation director and animator working for Production I.G.
Okiura left high school at the age of 16 and went into the animation industry as a member of the studio Anime R. He is known for his detailed animation effects intricately shown in the chopper attack scene in Patlabor 2: The Movie, and his highly realistic character animation in the opening credits of Cowboy Bebop: The Movie and several Production I.G features. Okiura’s feature directorial debut was Jin-Roh, released in 1998, was the recipient of the Minami Toshiko Award at the 11th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in February 2000.
Okiura’s next feature film was A Letter to Momo, in which he wrote and directed, premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, about 11 years after his first film. It was in development for seven years.
Related Programming:
Yōkai Netsuke Exhibition
Open until January 25, 2025
Experience the mysterious universe of Yōkai through these Netsuke figures, which serve as gateways to bridge across the dimensions, from flat images to three dimensional sculptures, and from monochrome to colour.
Unveil the Mysteries of Yōkai and the Craftsmanship of Netsuke Figures with JFT Library’s Curated Collection!
Are you planning to visit or have already been fascinated by the JFT Gallery’s Yōkai Netsuke Exhibition? To enrich your cultural journey, we have curated library item lists on yōkai and netsuke/figures, including physical and electronic books, manga/anime, films, and more!
Whether you enjoy manga/anime featuring yōkai characters, seek engaging reads for young readers, or are curious to learn about the rich history and artistry behind these enigmatic figures, our collection has something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the mysterious world of Japanese monsters, and explore the craftsmanship behind netsuke or miniature figures that tell fascinating cultural stories. These curated library items are currently on display in our library, located right next to the gallery.
Apply for a new library card or renew your expired card here.
JFT Book Club (Hybrid) – With Silent Reading Time – Yōkai
Thursday, November 21, 6:30 pm – 8:00 PM (ET)
Inspired by the JFT Gallery’s current exhibition, our upcoming book club meeting will explore the mysterious realm of yōkai!
Join us in person or virtually to enjoy yōkai-related books in any languages and engage in optional discussion to share your discoveries with fellow participants. Whether you are fascinated by the yōkai-inspired artworks, love yōkai characters in manga/anime, or are curious to learn about the traditional folklore, uncover the hidden stories behind these enigmatic beings!
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