From August to December in the Baltimore region, there are many films related to the countries of our sister cities.
Aug 25 / Japanese film
Where Chimneys Are Seen
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2018
Location: The Crown, 1910 N. Charles Street, Baltimore
More info: Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Facebook page
Sep 4 / Japanese film
My Small Steps from Hiroshima
This moving documentary tells the story of Kaoru Ogura, a Japanese American, who aided foreign correspondents and writers after the Hiroshima bombing, allowing the world to have it’s first understanding of the reality of the nuclear age and affects of radiation. Presented by Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee & NHK World. Japanese Producer Junichiro (Jay) Ike will make comments along with local historians.
Date: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 7pm
Location: Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Admission: Free. Seating is limited.
More info: Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Facebook page
Sep 13 / Korean film
Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring
Part of an ongoing film series co-presented by the Korean Cultural Center DC and Parkway Theatre.
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2018 at 7pm. Light Korean appetizers at 6:30pm before the film.
Location: Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
More info: Parkway website
Sep 18 / Japanese film
Celebrating Yayoi Kusama: Self-Obliteration & Kusama – Infinity
“Self-Obliteration” is an experimental short film produced by Jud Yalkut and Kusama Yayoi; “Kusama Infinity” is a documentary about the queen of polka dots, Yayoi Kusama, one of the most popular artists in the world today. Hosted by MICA film department, Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister Cities and Nippon Motion.
Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 7pm
Location: Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Admission: Free. Seating is limited.
More info: Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Facebook page
Kusama Infinity is also screening at Parkway Theatre starting on Sept 21.
Sep 28–29 / Baltimore Japan Art Festival with Japanese films
Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister Cities partners with Nippon Motion on this festival in the Station North district.
Friday, September 28
- “The Night is Short, Walk on Girl” film at Charles Theatre
- Japanese music & visual dance party at The Crown.
Saturday, September 29
- Aki Matsuri hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister Cities, all-ages outdoor event featuring workshops, food, games & performances at YNot Lot in Station North
- Exhibition reception and lecture with illustrator Yusuke Nakamura at MICA Brown Center
- A selection of acclaimed film shorts from NY Japan CineFest 2018 at MICA Brown Center
Admission: Free but RSVP required.
More info: Nippon Motion Facebook page and Baltimore Japan Art Fest website
Oct 2–8 / Baltimore International Black Film Festival
The annual Baltimore International Black Film Festival (BIBFF) promotes and celebrates culturally significant films directed, produced, and staring African American and members of the African Diaspora. We also prominently feature and celebrate films with content of interest to the Same Gender Loving – Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (SGL-LGBT) community.
Dates: Tuesday, October 2 to Monday, October 8, 2018
Location: Charles Theatre, Motor House, and Parkway Theatre
More info & tickets: Festival website
Festival highlights include:
Opening film on Oct 3 related to Liberia and Japan
Baltimore’s Gbarnga Liberia and Kawasaki Japan sister city committees are supporting the screening of Out of My Hand, the opening film of the film festival. It tells the story of a Liberian rubber plantation worker, who emigrates to New York in hope of finding a better life but is stymied when hope is in short supply. The Japanese director of the film, Mr. Fukunaga, will send a video message for the opening evening. Dr. Yoshihiko Higuchi, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, will share his experiences, talking about how he was at the premiere of “Out of My Hand” in Liberia in early 2017, when he was on staff at the Japan embassy in Ghana. A short film, Othello-San, will also be screened this evening.
Date: Wednesday, October 3, 2018, 7pm. Film screening is followed by a reception.
Location: Charles Theatre, 1711 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
More info & tickets: Festival website
Short film from Rotterdam filmmaker on Oct 6
“Here,” a short animation film by Robert-Jonathan Koeyers, a graduate film student in Rotterdam (one of Baltimore’s Sister Cities), is part of suite of films called “Black Lives Matter” shown on October 6.
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018, 12:30pm.
Location: University of Baltimore Learning Commons, 1415 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore MD 21201
More info & tickets:
About this session & tickets (or purchase tickets at the door)
Festival website
The Sultan and the Saint
The Baltimore Luxor Alexandria (Egypt) Sister City Committee (BLASCC) is a co-sponsor of The Sultan and The Saint. The docudrama, which was primarily shot in Baltimore, is part of an important and timely conversation about Islam and Christianity.
Date/Location: Check the website for screenings: www.sultanandthesaintfilm.com/education/screenings
More info: on the Baltimore Sister Cities website
Looking ahead to 2019…
A special film screening of animated films from our sister cities is being planning for February 2019 at Parkway Theatre! Stay tuned for more details.
