Select Japan presents, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, two screenings celebrating the brilliantly eccentric career of Nobuhiko Obayashi. Following this rare screening of His Motorbike, Her Island, we're delighted to be joined for a Q&A by the director's daughter, Chigumi Obayashi, and her husband, Manga artist Takehito Moriizumi.

Nobuhiko Obayashi (Hausu) takes on the Bōsōzoku (youth bike gang) genre with a poetic and bittersweet look at rebellious youth and young love.

After being threatened by his girlfriend’s brother, Ko (Riki Takeuchi) goes on a trip on his Kawasaki to contemplate his options. He meets Miiyo (Kiwako Harada) by chance, and the two stay in touch. He later receives an invitation to her island, where he begins to teach her how to ride, and quickly falls for her. Miiyo is an extremely quick study, and the two are a well-matched pair. However, her obsession with motorbikes seems to be leading her down a dangerous path.

Join us on 9 August for Obayashi's dazzling anti-war masterpiece, Hanagatami, screening to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Thanks to Third Window for providing both films in our Obayashi tribute. And congratulations on celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year.

Cast:
Riki Takeuchi, Kiwako Harada, Noriko Watanabe, Ryôichi Takayanagi