Japanese cinema's diverse array of wonders can't be confined to one event. Melburnians can watch the latest and greatest films the country has to offer at the annual Japanese Film Festival; however, since 2018, cinephiles can also step back into Japanese movie history, too — all thanks to its classics program.
Running on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26 at the Astor Theatre, this film selection explores old-school big-screen highlights, especially if you're fond of spooky tales. A supernatural anthology telling four ghostly stories, the Academy Award-nominated Kwaidan is one of Japan's undeniable standouts, while The Ghost Story of Yotsuya adapts a kabuki masterpiece about murder and revenge.
Also on the bill: The Bride from Hades, about a mysterious woman and the man who falls in love with her; plus the delightfully named Black Cat Mansion, which adds its own spin to the age-old haunted house premise.
If you're keen on some retro bumps and jumps, entry is free — and while you can grab a ticket from the Astor an hour before each screening, you can also reserve your seat online in advance if you'd prefer.