“The Lion Standing in the Wind”
U.S. Premiere in Japanese with English Subtitles (139 min, 2015)
Presented by the Aurora Foundation and the Kasloff Foundation
Co-sponsored by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center
Date：Sunday, February 7, 2 PM & 6 PM
Venue：Aratani Japan America Theater / 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets are $20 at doors, $15 in advance. For tickets, contact the Aurora Foundation at (323) 882-6545 or email aurorafoundation@usa.net
Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation (dba Aurora Foundation) is holding the 18th annual charity Japanese film screening of “The Lion Standing in the Wind.”
In 1987, a song named “The Lion Standing in the Wind” (Kaze ni Tatsu Lion) was popularized by a Masashi Sada. It was a musical adaptation of letters to a girlfriend left behind in Japan, written by a Japanese doctor running a mobile medical clinic in Kenya.
The catalyst for this project was actor Takao Osawa, who was deeply moved by the song and passionately urged the songwriter to adapt the song into a novel, and then a movie.
World-renowned director Takashi Miike, who directed 66thCannes International Film Festival’s Competition title “Shield of Straw” assumes the helm in the film adaptation.
Takao Osawa will play the leading role of Koichiro, a Japanese doctor who travels across the world to join a medical team in Kenya, where he encounters a child soldier with deep, emotional scars.
The popular young actress Satomi Ishihara will play Nurse Wakako, who supports Koichiro’s efforts in Kenya. Yoko Maki, recent winner of both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress honors at the 2014 Japan Academy Awards, will play Takako, the girlfriend Koichiro leaves behind in Japan.
Official website http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/2015/02/6120.html/
Director：Takashi Miike
Cast：Takao Osawa, Satomi Ishihara, Yoko Maki
