Saturday Matinee: Walter Chaw Talks Hana-bi, 1997

“It has been said that Western art is the art of putting in, and Eastern art is the art of leaving out. The new Japanese film Hana-bi is like a Charles Bronson "Death Wish" movie -- so drained of story, cliche, convention and plot that nothing is left, except pure form and impulse. Not a frame, not a word, is excess. Takeshi Kitano, who wrote, directed and edited the film, also stars as Nishi, a man whose only two emotional states are agony and ecstasy.” -- Roger Ebert. Join film critic Walter Chaw as he explores this modern masterpiece. Hana-bi is free to watch on the streaming service Kanopy which you can subscribe to using your library card. Not a Kanopy member yet? Grab your library card and get started here.

If you would like to attend this film discussion online, please register here for the event and your login and password will be sent to you the day before the event. Upcoming Saturday Matinee event on July 11: Fellini’s 8 ½, (1963).