Venue: Metrograph, 7 Ludlow St, New York
Dates: November 15–23
Among anime fans, Mamoru Oshii stands apart for his singular art-house aesthetic. Though most know him as a director, understanding the depth of his writing means looking closely at his filmography. Angel’s Egg remains his first truly original work, while Urusei Yatsura: Only You (1983) and Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (1984) were where his unique voice first began to shine. From there, his contributions to some of the most influential anime of the 90s cemented his reputation as a visionary.
With Avalon (2001), Oshii explored the harmful effects of virtual reality long before it became a plaything of today, and parts of that story (written by Kazunori Itō) resonate. Through its existential themes, he explored what it means to live and dream inside a machine—ideas that would echo throughout science-fiction cinema for decades.
The Metrograph will honour this creator’s legacy with the restoration and screening of The Red Spectacles (1987), his first live-action film, a dystopian noir full of the surreal edge that defines his work. While not every entry in his catalogue is part of the spotlight, fans should seek out Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast Food Grifters (2006), a sharply satirical mockumentary that reveals his sly sense of humour. In what this tribute puts on the spotlight are also the works of others that have tremendously influenced his vision. The full list of works being screened includes:
Oshii’s path to success wasn’t an easy one. He loved film, and after his studies at Tokyo Gakugei University, he found work in Japan’s film industry at the worst possible time. It potmarked with instability. He stayed the course—starting at Tatsunoko Productions and building a career that would redefine the possibilities of anime and speculative cinema. As noted in the official Metrograph press materials, his inspirations run from cult “pink film” surrealism to Tarkovsky’s meditative sci-fi and Godard’s razor-edged noir—a fitting mix for a storyteller whose imagination never sits still.
Top Mamoru Oshii Picks to Watch:
Angel’s Egg
Mamoru Oshii • 1985 • 71 min • 4K DCP
- Sat, Nov 15 — 8:30 pm
- Thu, Nov 20 — (see site for updated time)
A haunting, nearly wordless allegory about faith, creation, and despair. In a drowned world, a girl guards a mysterious egg while a wandering soldier shadows her every step.
Stalker
Andrei Tarkovsky • 1979 • 163 min • DCP
- Sun, Nov 16 — 9:45 pm
- Fri, Nov 21 — (see site for updated time)
A guide known as the Stalker leads two men through the forbidden “Zone,” where their deepest desires might be fulfilled—or destroyed. Science fiction becomes spiritual pilgrimage.
The Red Spectacles
Mamoru Oshii • 1987 • 116 min • 4K DCP
- Fri, Nov 21 — 9:40 pm
- Sat, Nov 22 — 8:15 pm
- Sun, Nov 23 — 9:00 pm
A renegade cop returns to a dystopian Tokyo ruled by corruption and absurdity. Blending noir, satire, and surrealism, Oshii’s first live-action feature shows his signature blend of philosophy and chaos already in full bloom.
Inflatable Sex Doll of the Wastelands
Atsushi Yamatoya • 1967 • 87 min • DCP
- Sat, Nov 22 — 6:15 pm
- Sun, Nov 23 — (additional show, check site)
A private detective tracks a murdered woman’s doppelgänger through a surreal desert of pop-culture debris. This “pink film” classic turns pulp sleaze into existential art.
For the latest updates, please visit the official website.
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