2019 documentary Geographies of Kinship at Pitt, November 10.

The 2019 documentary Geographies of Kinship will play at the University of Pittsburgh on November 10.

In honor of National Adoption Month, the Pitt Adoption Community for Education is screening Geographies of Kinship. The film follows four adult adoptees as they return to Korea, their country of birth, and recover the personal histories that were lost when they were adopted in the U.S. We'll have tea and cookies and open discussion after the film.

The Pitt Adoption Community for Education includes faculty from the English Department at the Oakland and Greensburg campuses.

It starts at 7:00 pm in 118E Mervis Hall (map).

2022 Japanese animated film The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes (夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口) in Pittsburgh, from November 2.

The 2022 Japanese animated film The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes (夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口) will play in Pittsburgh from November 2.

Kaoru finds himself standing in front of a mysterious tunnel and thinks of Karen, the sister he lost in an accident five years ago. Anzu Hanashiro, the new transfer student, follows him and promises to help him experiment with the tunnel.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. Please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

"Did Fenollosa Save Traditional Japanese Art from Extinction? Fenollosa's Legacy in Japan, 1878-1890," November 1 at Pitt.

The Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh will host Hiroshi Nara and his colloquium "Did Fenollosa Save Traditional Japanese Art from Extinction? Fenollosa's Legacy in Japan, 1878-1890" on November 1.

Ernest F. Fenollosa (1853-1908) was an art theorist and administrator known to many in Japna today. His name is spoken in admiration for his work in rediscovering traditional Japanese art, saving it from extinction, and modernizing it. Without his intervention, Japanese painting (nihonga) would have died. So goes the received reputation of Fenollosa's work. In this talk, Nara will explore some aspects of the work of Fenollosa that directly pertain to this reputation, by first discussing the pivotal speech he made in 1882 that made him very famous in the world of Japanese art then analyzing how his revolutionary ideas were implemented. The talk will attempt to answer the question of whether his work saved Japanese art from extinction.

The talk starts at 12:00 pm in 1219 Cathedral of Learning.

2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) in Pittsburgh-area theaters, October 28 - November 1.

The 2001 film Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from October 28 through November 1 as part of this year's Studio Ghibli Fest. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation.

Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.

It plays locally at numerous theaters, including: the AMC Loews Waterfront, Waterworks Cinema, Cranberry Cinemas, Phoneix Luxury 14 in Bridgeville, and the Cinemarks in Robinson, Monroeville, Monaca, and McCandless. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

2000 movie Godzilla: 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) in Pittsburgh, November 1, for 70th anniversary of Godzilla Day.

The 2000 movie Godzilla: 2000 (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) will play in Pittsburgh on November 1 for the 70th anniversary of Godzilla Day. It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

Pitt's Korean Student Association hosts Michelle Zauner, October 28.

The University of Pittsburgh's Korean Student Association will host Michelle Zauner on October 28.

what’s that I hear??? 📣⁉️Michelle Zauner, lead vocalist of the band Japanese Breakfast & author of the book Crying in Hmart, is coming to Pitt campus?!?! 😱🙊😎

‼️join KSA on October 28 from 5-7 PM at the Cathedral of Learning Room G24 for a conversation with Michelle‼️ we will be discussing themes such as loss, cultural identity, familial bonds, Korean heritage, breaking out into the music industry as an Asian American artist, and the power of her dreamy, poignant, and unique music & writing to be a source of inspiration for many, whether you are of Asian descent or not 🌍

🗣️🗣️🗣️ pssst I heard she’s also doing book autograph signings towards the end of the event 🙊 feel free to bring a copy of her book, Crying in Hmart 🤭

The event is free but registration is encouraged as seating is limited.

2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) returns to Pittsburgh, October 27.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which played in Pittsburgh in April and May, will return October 27 through (at least) November 1.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. Please note, some screenings are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh, December 11 - 13 as part of "Satoshi Kon Fest."

The 2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh December 11 - 13 as part of AX Cinema Nights' "Satoshi Kon Fest."

Anime Expo Cinema Nights invites you to celebrate TOKYO GODFATHERS, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), as it returns to theaters to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers. On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family. Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo's nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising -- and sometimes miraculous -- connections that have brought them all together. Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, the December 11 and 13 screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles while the December 12 shows are dubbed in English.

Susuwatari - a Shakuhachi Recital, October 28 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh will host Devon Osamu Tipp and "Susuwatari - a Shakuhachi Recital" on October 28.

Please join Devon Osamu Tipp for a recital of contemporary and traditional shakuhachi music. Featured on the program are new multimedia compositions by Pitt alumni Cullyn Murphy, and Devon Osamu Tipp, and current grad students Luis Miguel Delgado Grande and Jay Rauch. Rauch's work features an experimental film that mixes elements of Japanese aesthetics, noise, and improvisation.

It starts at 5:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium in Oakland (map) and the suggested donation is $10.

"Stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown," free at Heinz History Center, October 29.

The Heinz History Center will present "Stories from Pittsburgh's Chinatown" on October 29.

Join the History Center for a rich celebration of stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Featuring two short film screenings and a panel discussion, this event will vividly explore family and communal narratives from this long-overlooked neighborhood. Panelists (including community members, artists, and experts) will share their memories and research reflections on the history and legacy of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Attendees will learn how Chinese Americans established businesses, started families, and created community despite the racism and discrimination that they faced. Participants will also garner insights into the decades-long partnerships and advocacy within the Chinese American community that has resulted in broader recognition of this history.

It runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and is free with advance registration. More information about the presenters and the films is available on the Heinz History Center's hompeage. The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman St. at the western edge of the Strip District (map).

Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver in Pittsburgh, March 14.

The Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver will perform at Spirit Hall on March 14. Tickets are now available online; PennsylvAsia will be doing a ticket giveaway on social media as the concert gets closer. Spirit Hall is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

2017 Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!) at Row House Hollywood, October 28.

The 2017 Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!) will play at the Row House Hollywood in Dormont on October 28, part of the theater's Zombiefest.

Things go badly for a hack director and film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie in an abandoned Japanese World War II facility, when they are attacked by real zombies. Or, that’s what it says on the tin, but this is the story of how it really happened.

Tickets for the 4:30 show are available online. The Row House Hollywood is located at 1449 Potomac Ave. (map).

2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days at Three Rivers Film Festival 2023, November 11 and 12.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, will play in Pittsburgh on November 11 and 12 as part of the Three Rivers Film Fest 2023.

Who knew Japan has the most elegant public restrooms in the world? Wim Wender’s Perfect Days is a poetic reflection on finding the simple beauty that surrounds us in our everyday world. Kôji Yakusho delivers an award-winning performance as Hirayama, a quite-contented man who spends his days working as a cleaner of public toilets in Tokyo. His thoroughly structured daily routine reveals his passion for music and books and his love of the trees he photographs. As we are immersed in his daily life, a series of unexpected encounters gradually expose more of his past.

It plays at the Waterworks Cinema on the 11th at 7:30 pm and at the Harris Theater in Downtown's Cultural District on the 12th at 4:00 pm. Tickets are available online.

Studio Ghibli Week, November 17 - 23 at Row House Lawrenceville.

The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will present its annual Studio Ghibli Week from November 17 through 23, featuring 2008's Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ), 1997's Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫), 2005's Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城), 1986's Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ), and 2023's Spirited Away: Live on Stage. Tickets are available online.

English Mandarin Language Social Hour, October 25 at Pitt.

Credit:  LRB: 安平影像 (风光), via @tongbingxue

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and the English Language Institute will present an English Mandarin Language Social Hour on October 25.

A language and cultural exchange between Pitt language learners and international speakers. Lunch provided.

The event runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map), and is open to members of the Pitt community. Registration is required.

English Korean Language Social Hour, November 1 at Pitt.

via @VisitSeoul 

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and the English Language Institute will present an Korean-English Language Social Hour on November 1.

A language and cultural exchange between Pitt language learners and international speakers..

The event runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall, and is open to members of the Pitt community. Registration is required.

Two weekends left: Asian Lantern Festival concludes October 29.

via @pghzoo

The Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo, now in its third year, will run for just two more weekends in 2023, concluding on Sunday, October 29.

The brand new 2023 Asian Lantern Festival: World of Wonders at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium honors our 125th anniversary with a global passport. Get ready for an adventure over the mountains, through the jungle, and under the sea to learn about decades of conservation with a dazzling display.

The festival will run on select Thursday – Sunday nights August 11th through October 29th.

Tickets are available online. The Zoo is located at 7370 Baker St. in Highland Park (map).

2023 Japanese movie Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (デジモンアドベンチャー02 THE BEGINNING) in Pittsburgh, November 8 and 9.

The 2023 Japanese movie Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning (デジモンアドベンチャー02 THE BEGINNING) will play in Pittsburgh on November 8 and 9.

It’s 2012, and ten years have passed since the adventure in the Digital World. Daisuke Motomiya is now twenty, and he and the rest of the DigiDestined seem to be changing bit by bit in terms of appearance and lifestyle. Then one day, a giant Digitama suddenly appears in the sky over Tokyo Tower. Daisuke and the others encounter a mysterious young man named Lui Ohwada, who informs them that he’s the first ever DigiDestined in the world… The feature will include an introduction from the director, Tomohisa Taguchi. PLUS, as a special bonus, the first 50 guests to arrive at each night’s screening will receive a complimentary Digimon Card Game Tamer Party Pack -THE BEGINNING- ver. 2.0, which includes 3 out of 14 possible cards from the new Digimon Card Game deck commemorating the film (while supplies last, first-come, first served).

Guests should check with the theater in advance to see if they are participating in the promotions. It is scheduled to play at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic Westmoreland, and the Cinemark Theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; the November 8 shows are dubbed in English while the November 9 ones are in Japanese with English subtitles.

JET Program Information Session with University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center, October 23.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host its annual JET Program Information Session on October 23. It starts at 5:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

2022 documentary Beyond Utopia, about families attempting to escape North Korea, in Pittsburgh October 23 and 24.

The 2022 documentary Beyond Utopia will play in Pittsburgh on October 23 and 24. A summary, from the Sundance Film Festival where the documentary made its premiere earlier this year:

A suspenseful look at the lengths people will go to gain freedom, Beyond Utopia follows various individuals as they attempt to flee North Korea, one of the most oppressive places on Earth, a land they grew up believing was a paradise. At the film’s core are a mother desperate to reunite with the child she was forced to leave behind, a family of five — including small children and an elderly grandmother — embarking on a treacherous journey across the Yalu River and into the hostile mountains of China, and a man of God on a mission to help these desperate souls. Leaving their homeland is fraught with danger — severe punishment if caught and possibly even execution — as well as potential exploitation by unscrupulous brokers. Family members who remain behind also may face retribution. Yet these individuals are driven to take the risk.

Gripping, visceral, and urgent, Madeleine Gavin’s film embeds the viewer with these family members as they attempt their perilous escape, palpably conveying life-or-death stakes. The result is a singular, illuminating, and unforgettable experience.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the AMC Classic in Greensburg, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online.