Event

"The Burmese Harp", 1956  
ビルマの竪琴 (Biruma no tategoto)
Directed by Ichikawa Kon
February 3, 7:00 PM
Free but registration is required

After becoming separated from his platoon, a Japanese soldier dons a Buddhist monk's robe and tends to the bodies of casualties strewn across the war-torn countryside.  For more information about the film visit IMDB.com.

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The annual February Japanese Film Series is presented by the University of Pennsylvania Center for East Asian Studies (UPenn CEAS) and the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, this year as watch parties. This means that you will need to be watch the film using your own access to a streaming service (or by watching a physical DVD or similar). The first week's film, the Burmese Harp, is available through Criterion and the Internet Archive.

As we approach the eightieth anniversary of the American entry into World War II, our 13th Annual February Japanese Film Series will screen four Japanese films about the devastating consequences of that war.  With themes that range from pathos to brave sacrifice, the four films of the 10th Annual February Film Series span half a century of reactions to its tragedy.

Due to the continuing pandemic, these films will be presented as watch parties beginning at seven PM with an introduction and concluding with a brief discussion session. The discussions will be led by Dr Frank Chance, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at University of Pennsylvania.
Co-sponsored with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.