The Shamisen Sessions, Vol. 2: Yumiko Tanaka live shamisen accompaniment for Crossroads (Jujiro)

Internationally active experimental shamisen musician Yumiko Tanaka provides a thrilling improvisational soundscape to the silent film Crossroads (Jujiro, 1928). This audacious film by Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner Teinosuke Kinugasa (1896-1982) depicts the love between a poor brother and sister, and features hallucinatory imagery and boundary-pushing German Expressionist-inspired set design. This program is part of Japan Society’s 2014 Monthly Film Series, The Dark Side of the Sun: John Zorn on Japanese Cinema, curated by musical maverick and film and Japanese culture aficionado John Zorn. Crossroads (Jujiro): 1928, 87 min., 35 mm, b&w, silent. Directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa. With Junosuke Bando, Akiko Chihaya, Yukiko Ogawa, Ippei Sohma, Kazuo Hasegawa.

Tickets: $15/$12 Japan Society members, students & seniors. General admission.