1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam in Pittsburgh, October 2 and 6.

The 1981 Japanese film Mobile Suit Gundam will play in Pittsburgh on October 2 and 6, part of the three-part AXCN Gundam Fest showing the films compiled from the initial Gundam TV series.

In Universal Century year 0078, the space colony Side 3 declares itself the Principality of Zeon and launches a war of independence against the Earth Federation. Eight months have passed since the war entered into a deadlock. Learning of a secret plot by the Federation Forces, the Zeon Forces launch reconnaissance followed by an attack against Side 7. A young boy by the name of Amuro gets wrapped up in the war, and by coincidence ends up piloting the mobile suit Gundam and defeating the enemy. The Federation’s White Base, having lost its proper crew in the battle, escapes from Side 7 with forces still in training and civilians both.

It plays locally, in Japanese with English subtitles, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson, and tickets are available online. The other two films derived from the Gundam series will play in Pittsburgh later in October.

2023 Korean film A Normal Family (보통의 가족) added to SCREENSHOT: ASIA film festival, September 28.

The 2023 Korean film A Normal Family (보통의 가족) will play in Pittsburgh on September 28, a recent addition to the SCREENSHOT: ASIA film festival.

Based on the novel The Dinner, the film explores the limits of personal morality in a time of familial crisis. Two brothers, Jae-wan and Jae-gyu, are worlds apart when it comes to their moral views. While Jae-gyu prioritizes his patients’ well-being, Jae-wan is a slick lawyer racking up successes wherever he can. Meanwhile, Jae-wan’s shy son and Jae-wan’s rebellious daughter get into their own legal troubles, which throws a wrench into each brothers’ worldview. Over several increasingly tense dinners, the brothers find themselves questioning their bond, their children, and their own senses of right and wrong in the world. This tense thriller pushes the limits of the men’s characters, and, as the nights progress, the brothers and their wives each reach surprising, different resolutions that set off an eventual catastrophe.

It will play at 2:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map) and tickets are available online.

Concert film TAEYONG: TY TRACK IN CINEMAS in Pittsburgh, October 16 and 19.

The upcoming concert film TAEYONG: TY TRACK IN CINEMAS, with Taeyong from the Korean group NCT, will play in Pittsburgh on October 16 and 19.

Experience the unparalleled talent of NCT’s TAEYONG in his first solo concert 'TY TRACK' on the big screen! Dive into the mesmerizing world of TAEYONG, experiencing his diverse music and captivating performances. 'TY TRACK' presents a stunning array of music and vibrant stages that showcase TAEYONG's unique artistic vision, all presented on a cinematic scale. Witness the journey behind the scenes as TAEYONG prepares for his groundbreaking concert. Step onto the stage with him, and hear the heartfelt stories he has longed to share. 'TAEYONG: TY TRACK IN CINEMAS' is a deep dive into the music, the artist, and the incredible journey that has shaped his path.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, though additional theaters are likely to be announced later. Tickets are available online.

New Chinese movie Upstream (逆行人生) in Pittsburgh, from September 13.

The 2024 Chinese movie Upstream (逆行人生) will play in Pittsburgh from September 13.

After suffering a number of disasters, including losing his job, having his savings wiped out and facing his father's high medical bills, Gao Zhilei (Xu Zheng) takes up a job as a delivery worker, dealing with long days and stomach-turning events. Amongst crazy customers, tight deadlines and competition among app companies, he manages to form strong bonds with his fellow workers. But in his quest for success, he must face a choice: keep the new friendships he's created or move to the next level in his new career by taking advantage of the new business world where he finds himself.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

2024 Chinese movie Untouchable (逆鳞) in Pittsburgh, from September 12.

The 2024 Chinese movie Untouchable (逆鳞) will play in Pittsburgh from September 12.

Big brother Zun Fei and his gang of brothers are doing well in the underworld. However, when conspiracies arise and the brothers turn against each other, Zun Fei can only take up his gun and risk his life to face the threat.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Ghost in the Shell (GHOST IN THE SHELL/攻殻機動隊), Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉), and 2024's DAN DA DAN: First Encounter comprise Row House Cinema's Anime Classics series, from September 13.

Ghost in the Shell (GHOST IN THE SHELL/攻殻機動隊), Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉), and 2024's DAN DA DAN: First Encounter will comprise the Anime Classics series at Row House Lawrenceville, from September 13. Tickets are available online; please note that not all films play all days. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

DAN DA DAN: First Encounter in Pittsburgh, from September 13.

The new Japanese animated movie DAN DA DAN: First Encounter will play several Pittsburgh-area theaters from September 13. It was already announced for the Row House Lawerenceville's Anime Classics series, but a few other theaters were added as part of the nationwide premier. A synopsis, from the distributor:

DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak. The two of them start talking after Momo rescues Okarun from getting bullied. However, an argument ensues between them – Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts. To make the mutual deniers believe in each other, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital known for its UFO sightings, and Okarun goes to a tunnel that is said to be haunted. In each place, they encounter overwhelming paranormal activity that transcends comprehension. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to challenge the paranormal forces! Their fateful love begins as well!?

The story of the occult battle and adolescence starts!

Based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, DAN DA DAN is an electrifying, action-packed love letter to sci-fi and horror with the heart of a ruthlessly funny teen rom-com. The directorial debut from Fuga Yamashiro is the latest series from cutting-edge animation studio Science SARU (The Colors Within, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) with pulse-pounding original music from kensuke ushio (Chainsaw Man).

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and the Row House Lawrenceville, and tickets are available online. 

RIIZE Fan-Con Tour 'RIIZING DAY' Finale in Cinemas in Pittsburgh, September 13.

The concert film RIIZE Fan-Con Tour 'RIIZING DAY' Finale in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh on September 13.

The grand finale of K-pop boy band RIIZE's first world fan-concert tour, 2024 RIIZE FAN-CON 'RIIZING DAY' FINALE in SEOUL, will be broadcast live in cinemas! After touring through Seoul, Tokyo, Mexico City, L.A., Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta in 2024, the first day of the FINALE in SEOUL will be presented live in cinemas across selected territories worldwide. Experience the magic of the 2024 RIIZE FAN-CON TOUR ‘RIIZING DAY’ FINALE IN CINEMA, featuring spectacular performances, including celebrated hits from their first mini album, RIIZING. On September 13th, BRIIZE can celebrate this unforgettable night together in cinemas. Don't miss out on the global celebration of RIIZE's 'RIIZING DAY' tour finale in Seoul on the big screen!

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

1993 Japanese animated movie Ninja Scroll (獣兵衛忍風帖) in Pittsburgh, from September 11.

he 1993 Japanese animated movie Ninja Scroll (獣兵衛忍風帖) will play in Pittsburgh on September 11, 12, and 15 as part of the distributor's celebration of the 30th anniversary of the film.

Anime Expo Cinema Nights Presents the classic anime Ninja Scroll’s 30th Anniversary with an all-new exclusive interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri. A mysterious vagabond sets out on a journey to confront his past. Little does he know he is up against a demonic force of killers, with a ghost from his past as the leader.

Tickets are available online. The September 11 and 15 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while the September 12 shows are dubbed in English.

2024 Japanese animated movie Look Back (ルックバック) in Pittsburgh, October 6 and 7.

The 2024 Japanese animated movie Look Back (ルックバック) in Pittsburgh will play in Pittsburgh on October 6 and 7.

Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing. Based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of “Chainsaw Man”, Look Back captures the highs and lows of pursuing artistic excellence and the special bonds formed through creative collaboration. The heart-wrenching story is the stunning feature-length directorial debut from Kiyotaka Oshiyama that will leave you in tears and inspire you to chase your own artistic dreams.

Look Back was among the highest-grossing Japanese films of the summer. It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

Fists and Prayers (拳と祈り ー袴田巖の生涯ー) wins Japan Documentary Film Award from Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia; screening and special event scheduled October 23.

The Chiaki Kasai documentary Fists and Prayers (拳と祈り ー袴田巖の生涯ー) was named the Japan Documentary Film Award winner from the Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia. A screening of the film and a presentation of the award to director Kasai is scheduled for October 23.

The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia are excited to announce the winner of our 4th biennial Japan Documentary Film Award. Congratulations to Chiaki Kasai and her film FISTS AND PRAYERS. FISTS AND PRAYERS explores the incarceration of ex-boxer Iwao Hakamada, who was unjustly sentenced to death for murder and suffered extreme mental anguish while on death row. FISTS AND PRAYERS is a fascinating examination of the physical toll of Japan's justice system and incarceration, as well as resilience of the human spirit.

The event is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Carnegie Museum of Art. THe JDFA's official site provides an overview of the award:

The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: ASIA invites submissions every two years for its Japan Documentary Film Award. This biennial prize is awarded to one exemplary documentary film promoting the understanding of Japan and Japanese culture. The documentary should tell us something interesting about Japan and/or speak to Japanese culture, history, social phenomena, practices, or events.The award is available to feature-length films from all countries, and in all languages.

2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once at Row House Lawrenceville, from September 27.

The 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once will play at the Row House Lawrenceville from September 27 through October 3, part of the MTV Generation film series.

We are still not fully over this amazing and wholey unique movie. Plus it looks and sounds SO good in theaters. Michelle Yeoh as an aging Chinese immigrant who can’t seem to finish her taxes… until she is swept up in an insane adventure.

Tickets are available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

2023 Korean film The Tenants (세입자) in Pittsburgh, September 28.

The 2023 Korean film The Tenants (세입자) will play in Pittsburghon September 28 as another addition to the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival.

In this Kafkaesque reality, a soon-to-be-evicted tenant employs a bizarre subletting scheme that may be his solution.

In a dystopian South Korean city, an office worker endures the tedium of his job in hopes of gaining a transfer to ‘Sphere 2’, where a supposedly better reality awaits. Facing eviction by his adolescent landlord, he decides to complicate the process by renting his toilet out to an eccentric couple, but their strange behaviours soon become unbearable.

It plays in 125 Frick Fine Arts on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map) and ticket information is forthcoming.

2024 documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine (五香宮の猫) at Pitt, September 26, as part of the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival.

A screening of the 2024 documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine (五香宮の猫) has been added to the SCREENSHOT: Asia film festival at the University of Pittsburgh on September 26. A synopsis, from director Kazuhiro Soda's official site:

Gokogu is a small, ancient Shinto shrine in Ushimado, Japan, on the Seto Inland Sea. Home to dozens of street cats, it is also known as “Cat Shrine.”

Many people visit the shrine for various reasons: some to worship gods, others to enjoy gardening. Some people come to clean the shrine as volunteers while others just stop by on their way to fish Japanese sardinella –– and it is the perfect place for kids to play after school. In addition, some people visit Gokogu to feed the freely roaming stray cats. Others just come to see these cats or to take pictures of them. It is a heaven for cat-loving residents and visitors, but some residents complain about the waste the cats leave around the neighborhood. Gokogu looks peaceful on the surface, but it is also the epicenter of a sensitive issue that divides the local community.

In 2021, after living in New York City for 27 years, Kazuhiro Soda and Kiyoko Kashiwagi relocated to Ushimado where they had previously filmed Oyster Factory (2015) and Inland Sea (2018). As new settlers, the couple tries to blend into Ushimado’s local community, and gets caught up in the problem around the cats of Gokogu. The filmmakers started rolling their camera to observe and depict the aging, traditional community and its spiritual center Gokogu. The result is a beautiful and cruel, simple yet complex portrayal of the universe of Gokogu, interwoven with people, cats, and all living beings.

It plays in 125 Frick Fine Arts in Oakland, on the edge of the University of Pittsburgh campus, (map) and ticket information is forthcoming.

2024 film Didi (弟弟) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) September 5.

The 2024 film Didi (弟弟), which opened in Pittsburgh on August 8, will remain here through at least September 5.

In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, through the 4th, and The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley. Tickets are available online.

2001 Japanese animated film Metropolis (メトロポリス) in Pittsburgh, November 4, 7, and 10.

The 2001 Japanese animated film Metropolis (メトロポリス) will play in Pittsburgh on November 4, 7, and 10 as part of an Anime Expo Cinema Nights series.

Anime Expo Cinema Nights Presents: Osamu Tezuka’s Metropolis, where it's man against machine in this film based on the classic manga (comic) by Osamu Tezuka, the godfather of Japanese anime and manga. In the late 1940s, long before Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion established Osamu Tezuka as one of the most influential animators of all time, the legendary illustrator created the classic manga Metropolis. Set in the future, Metropolis is a grand city-state populated by humans and robots, the cohabitants of a strictly segmented society. Detective Shunsaku Ban and his sidekick Ken-ichi search for a rebel scientist, to arrest him and seize his latest creation, Tima, a beautiful young girl. But when they locate him, Shunsaku quickly realizes that the eccentric genius is protected by a powerful man and beyond their reach. A retro-futuristic cautionary tale, Metropolis is spectacularly rendered, combining the best in Japanese cel animation with the latest in digital technology.

It it scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Robinson. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

SCREENSHOT: Asia 2024 Film Festival schedule announced.

The SCREENSHOT: ASIA 2024 Film Festival schedule was announced this afternoon, with films out of Japan, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan helping to comprise the lineup. Selections include:

• A Great Absence (大いなる不在』予告編), Japan - September 29 at Frick Fine Arts (Pitt campus)
• Black Dog (狗阵), China - September 25 at Harris Theater
• Salli (莎莉), Taiwan - September 25 in Lawrence Hall (Pitt campus)
• Sweet Dreams, Indonesia - September 27 at Harris Theater

Tickets and showtime info is now available online. SCREENSHOT: ASIA, which puts on the annual festival along with other Asian programming,

is a joint project from the Film and Media Studies Program and the Asian Studies Center that brings together students, faculty, and community members to create a shared awareness of Asian and Asian American experiences through contemporary film and media. Using film, video, and other on-screen arts, the series provides a forum to learn about Asian art, whether it is a classic work of cinema, a film by an emerging director, or a documentary addressing contemporary social concerns. The programming allows us to reflect on the importance of visual arts, current arts technology, and the place of cultural experiences in a global educational experience.

Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば), The Cat Returns (猫の恩返し) in Pittsburgh for Studio Ghibli Fest 2024, from August 25.

The Japanese animated movies Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) and The Cat Returns (猫の恩返し) will play in Pittsburgh as part of Studio Ghibli Fest 2024, from August 25. A synopsis of the former, from the distributor:

Discover the brilliance of this heartwarming coming-of-age classic from the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of My Neighbor Totoro and the Academy Award®-winning Spirited Away.

A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a quiet schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination. This beautiful tale based on a screenplay from Hayao Miyazaki will delight and amaze audiences of all ages!

And the latter:

In this sequel to Whisper of the Heart, a quiet suburban schoolgirl, Haru, is pitched into a fantastical feline world and must find her inner strength to make her way back home. Walking with her friend after a dreary day at school, Haru eyes a cat with a small gift box in its mouth attempting to cross a busy street. The cat fumbles the package in the middle of the road as a truck is rapidly bearing down. Haru manages to scoop the cat away to safety. To her amazement, the cat then gets up on its hind legs, brushes itself off, and thanks her very politely.

Strange behavior indeed, but this is nothing compared to what happens later that evening when the King of Cats shows up in a feline motorcade replete with vassals, maidens, and even Secret Service cats. In a show of gratitude for saving his son’s life, the king cat showers Haru with gifts – including a large supply of individually wrapped live mice – and decrees that she shall marry the cat prince and come to live as a princess in the secret Kingdom of Cats.

WHisper of the Heart plays on August 25 and 27, while The Cat Returns plays on August 26 and 28. Tickets for the shows at most local theaters are available online, though please note some are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once returns to Pittsburgh for A24 x IMAX presentation, August 28.

The 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once will play in Pittsburgh on August 28.

When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Winner of 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, experience all universes at once in IMAX.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Upcoming film Jung Kook: I Am Still in Pittsburgh, from September 18.

The upcoming film Jung Kook: I Am Still will play in Pittsburgh from September 18.

Jung Kook of BTS, the '21st Century Pop Artist,' ascended to global stardom with his debut solo single 'Seven (feat. Latto)' in July 2023. Achieving unprecedented success, Jung Kook became the first Asian solo artist to top the Billboard HOT 100, Global 200, and Global 200 Excl. US charts. His singles 'Seven,' '3D (feat. Jack Harlow),' and 'Standing Next to You' all reached the top 10 of the Billboard HOT 100, making him the only K-pop solo artist to achieve this feat. His album ‘GOLDEN’ also made history by staying on the Billboard 200 for 24 consecutive weeks. Through exclusive, unseen interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, alongside electrifying concert performances, this brand new film showcases Jung Kook’s eight-month journey, capturing his unwavering dedication and growth. Join Jung Kook as he shares his remarkable rise to fame and heartfelt moments with ARMY around the world in 'JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL'.

It runs select dates through September 29. Jung Kook: I Am Still is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, with more theaters likely to be announced later, and tickets are available online.