Japanese Girls Never Die (KOTATSU screenings)

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January 25 @ 5:35 pm - 7:20 pm EST

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Japanese Girls Never Die
アズミ・ハルコは行方不明

Saturday, January 25, 5:35PM (ET)

Lineup starts 5:05PM | Doors open 5:20PM | Film Screening | In-Person | Innis Town Hall

Directed by MATSUI Daigo • 2016 • Comedy / Drama • 101 minutes • Presented in Japanese with English subtitles • Trailer

Content Warning: This film contains scenes of violence and depictions of sex. Viewer discretion is advised.

It’s just another suburban town until two events gradually begin to change everything. First, a rash of graffiti appears, featuring a local girl, Azumi Haruko, in a series of spray-painted “Missing Girl” posters plastered on the town’s walls. The second, more sinister event is the rise of a gang of vicious high school girls carrying out random attacks on men. The local press covers the story, the graffiti goes viral on the internet, and the entire affair becomes one of the hottest topics on Twitter. Upon closer examination, a connection emerges: it seems the girl gang may have been inspired by the “Haruko is Missing” posters, taking revenge on men as part of their mission.

This pop-art and surrealist tale delves into the daily lives of Japanese women across various age groups: teenage high school girls, young women in their 20s just beginning their careers, and working women in their 30s, often labeled by societal norms as being “past their peak.”

This screening is a part of our annual winter film showcase, KOTATSU 2025: Japanese Cinema at Innis Town Hall.

Free admission. Register below.


Director Profile:

A Fukuoka native, MATSUI Daigo was born in 1985. He runs the theatre company GOJIGEN, where he writes, directs and acts in all of the company’s productions. In 2009, he made his debut as the youngest screenwriter in NHK with Twin Spica. His feature directorial debut was Afro Tanaka starring MATSUDA Shota in 2012. It was followed by How Selfish I Am! and Wonderful World End; the latter premiered in the Berlin International Film Festival. He was awarded the New Director’s Award in TAMA Movie Awards for Our Huff and Puff Journey. He also directs music videos and writes columns. Japanese Girls Never Die gave him the opportunity to direct the short film a flower in a vase based on ISHIAZKI Huwie’s song, which won the Best Short Award in the Music Video Competition at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia.


Community Partners:

 


Details

Starts:
January 25 @ 5:35 pm
Ends:
January 25 @ 7:20 pm
Event Category:
Doors Open:
5:20PM
Registration:
Required
Language:
Japanese with English subtitles
Admission:
Free

Organizer

The Japan Foundation, Toronto
Phone:
416-966-1600
Email:
info_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp
Website:
View Organizer Website

Venue

Innis Town Hall, Innis College, University of Toronto
2 Sussex Avenue
Toronto, ON M5S 1JS Canada
+ Google Map
Phone:
416-966-1600
Website:
View Organizer Website

Registration