Japanese Film Festival 2019 Classics Program

Overview

Japanese cinema's diverse array of wonders can't be confined to one event. Sydneysiders 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 until Wednesday, October 23 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, this film program explores plenty of 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 Adventures of Tobisuke, about a puppeteer, a young girl and their trek through the valley of the dead; 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, but you'll want to reserve your seat online in advance.