Japanese Film Club

Summer club. For decades, the animated films and TV series of Japan have delighted audiences throughout the world. What can we learn about the history and culture of the Japanese people through their most famous and popular films? In this friendly online club, students will enjoy making friends who share their interest in Japan while discussing how to distinguish fact from fantasy in Japanese history, folklore, and pop culture. No Japanese language experience is necessary, but as an enrichment, students will be provided a vocabulary list of words to listen for as they watch each film in Japanese with subtitles. Students who do speak some Japanese will have fun picking up new words and phrases via active listening!

Please note: The materials covered in this class contain content that some families may consider objectionable, including: partial non-sexual nudity (e.g., breastfeeding, bathing); ancestor worship and nature worship; major character death; neglect of children; animated gore; and Japanese perspectives on World War II. Parents are advised to consult the IMDb Parent Guide or another content-warning resource before enrolling their student.