2021 animated Japanese film Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (劇場版 呪術廻戦 0) in Pittsburgh, from March 17.

The 2021 animated Japanese film Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (劇場版 呪術廻戦 0) will play in Pittsburgh from March 17. From the distributor:

When they were children, Rika Orimoto was killed in a traffic accident right before the eyes of her close friend, Yuta Okkotsu. "It's a promise. When we both grow up, we'll get married." Rika became an apparition, and Yuta longed for his own death after suffering under her curse, but the greatest Jujutsu sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, welcomed him into Jujutsu High. There Yuta meets his classmates, Maki Zen'in, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, and finally finds his own determination. "I want the confidence to say it's okay that I'm alive! While I'm at Jujutsu High, I'll break Rika-chan's curse." Meanwhile, the vile curse user, Suguru Geto, who was expelled from the school for massacring ordinary people, appears before Yuta and the others. "This coming December 24th, we shall carry out the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons." While Geto advocates for creating a paradise for only jujutsu sorcerers, he unleashes a thousand curses upon Shinjuku and Kyoto to exterminate all non-sorcerers. Will Yuta be able to stop Geto in the end? And what will happen when breaking Rika's curse...?

It is currently scheduled to play at Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Monaca, with screenings in Japanese or dubbed in English, though tickets are not yet available.

Day & Night: a Hobi and Yoongi Birthday Cupsleeve Event, March 26 at Ineffable Ca Phe.

Organizers of local BTS fan events are holding another one on March 26 in honor of J-Hope and Suga's birthdays. It will run from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm at Ineffable Cà Phê in Lawrenceville (map).

"Future Tense: Microcinema Screening" with several Chinese, Taiwanese filmmakers, March 24 at The Andy Warhol Museum.

The Andy Warhol Museum will host "Future Tense: Microcinema Screening," featuring several Chinese and Taiwanese filmmakers and currated by Barbara London and Ellen Larson, on March 24.

We are living in a time of crisis. Anxieties about the future and questions concerning the sustainability of the planet and its inhabitants have never felt more urgent. Future Tense asks how artists approach these and other global uncertainties in relationship to identity, home, and environment. Selected videos highlight both the fragility and resilience of human ingenuity in relationship to nature, space, and place. Collectively, the artists included in this program direct themselves towards the future. They look to the past to reclaim lost histories while simultaneously imagining new possible futures. Participating artists: Imani Dennison, Fang Tianyu, Thomas Allen Harris, Pedro Neves Marques, Joan Michel, Su Yu-Hsin, Wang Mowen, and Zheng Yuan.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm and tickets will be available online soon.

Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ), Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) announced (so far) for Ghibli Fest dates in Pittsburgh.

Each year, distributor GKIDS brings several Studio Ghibli films to theaters across the country as part of a Studio Ghibli Fest, and today two selections were announced for April and May: Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) and Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) , respectively.  Tickets are now available for showings at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, and Monroeville, though more films and theatres will be announced later:

• Princess Mononoke - April 3 and 6 (English dubbed), April 4 (Japanese with English subtitles)
• Ponyo - May 15 and 18 (English dubbed), May 16 (Japanese with English subtitles)

Carnegie Mellon University hiring Assistant Director, International Development - University Advancement; "strong written and oral communication skills" in English and Mandarin Chinese required.

Carnegie Mellon University is hiring an Assistant Director, International Development - University Advancement, with "superior interpersonal skills including strong written and oral communication skills in English and Mandarin Chinese" required.

Carnegie Mellon is enjoying its most productive fundraising years in its history, raising more than $950M over the last three years. University Advancement (UA) supports the entire CMU community in building relationships with key constituencies and securing the financial resources the university needs to continue its ascent. As the division grows, we are seeking an assistant director, International Development. This is an exciting opportunity if you thrive in an interesting and challenging work environment. Reporting to the associate director, International Development, you will be responsible for alumni and parent engagement and annual fund and leadership annual giving for the Greater China region. You will help to recruit and retain volunteers as well as guide them in all aspects of the CMU networks based in the region. Your responsibilities will include coordinating engagement events both in-person and virtual with alumni and parents in the region, planning comprehensive solicitations in collaboration with the Annual Giving team, donor and volunteer stewardship, and personal cultivation and solicitation of prospects. You will maintain a portfolio of 50-60 prospects and will be expected to travel internationally 4-5 times per year for 2-3 weeks at a time (once regular travel to China is possible). You will be an integral member of the International Development team working in close collaboration with the Alumni and Constituent Engagement team.

2022 Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival lineup announced.

Individual tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival, which runs from March 18 through 31 at the Row House Cinema. This year's lineup includes:

• The Island of Cats (ねことじいちゃん) 
• Samurai Rebellion (上意討ち 拝領妻始末) 
• Stray Dog (野良犬)

• It's a Summer Film (サマーフィルムにのって)

• Matango (マタンゴ)

• Dragnet Girl (非常線の女)
• Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (漁港の肉子ちゃん)
• Tokyo Drifter (東京流れ者)
• Poupelle of Chimney Town (映画 えんとつ町のプペル)
• Pale Flower (乾いた花)
• Sonatine (ソナチネ)
• Hold Me Back (私をくいとめて)
• Cure (キュア)
• On-Gaku: Our Sound (音楽)

Plus, there's a collection of "Japan's Craziest TV Gameshows." Individual tickets are now available online. The single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler Street in Lawrenceville (map).

Concert film BTS Permission to Dance on Stage - Seoul: Live Viewing in Pittsburgh, March 12.

The BTS concert film BTS Permission to Dance on Stage - Seoul: Live Viewing will play in Pittsburgh on March 12.

‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE -SEOUL’, a performance for BTS and ARMY to dance together live. Join us as BTS and ARMY become one once again with music and dance in this unmissable live concert experience broadcast from Seoul to cinemas around the world! ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ is the latest world tour series headlined by 21st century pop icons BTS, featuring powerful performances and the greatest hit songs from throughout their incredible career. The earlier Los Angeles shows were seen by approximately 813,000 people across the four sold-out shows, making them one of the most successful shows in 2021. Don’t miss ‘BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE -SEOUL: LIVE VIEWING’ to see RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook on the big screen in your local cinema on Saturday, March 12 only. We don’t need permission to dance~♬

Tickets are not yet on sale, but the movie will play at 4:30 and 8:30 pm at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson. Additional theaters are likely to be announced later.

2021 Japanese film Drive My Car (ドライブ・マイ・カー) to remain in Pittsburgh through February 24.

The acclaimed 2021 Japanese film Drive My Car (ドライブ・マイ・カー) which opened in Pittsburgh on January 20, will remain at the Harris Theater through February 24. A brief synospis from a December 7 NPR review:

The story follows a middle-aged Tokyo stage actor named Kafuku, superbly played by Hidetoshi Nishijima. He's a calm, mild-mannered guy who's been married for two decades to a screenwriter named Oto. We get a sense of their mutual devotion when we see Kafuku driving around in his bright red Saab, rehearsing his lines by listening to audio tapes that Oto has painstakingly recorded for him.

But their relationship is more complicated than it appears. Years ago, Kafuku and Oto experienced an agonizing loss that has led her to find solace — and perhaps something more — in relationships with other men. Kafuku has deep compassion for his wife, which doesn't make her betrayal any less painful. And then another tragedy strikes when Oto dies suddenly.

The Harris Theater is located in downtown's Cultural District (map), and tickets are available online or at the door.

Martial Arts Day with Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, April 17.

April 17 is Martial Arts Day at PNC Park, when the Pirates play the Washington Nationals.

The first 1000 instructors and students to register will be invited to attend a special warning track ceremony on the field to recognize the Martial Arts Community. Each Martial Arts Institution is encouraged to wear their uniform to the game!

See the above flyer for additional information, and contact your school to see if it is participating.

2021 Japanese film Drive My Car (ドライブ・マイ・カー) in Pittsburgh (again) from March 20.

In addition to its current run at the Harris Theater (through February 17), the acclaimed 2021 Japanese film Drive My Car (ドライブ・マイ・カー) will play in Pittsburgh from March 20 as part of "Oscar Movie Week." A brief synospis from a December 7 NPR review:

The story follows a middle-aged Tokyo stage actor named Kafuku, superbly played by Hidetoshi Nishijima. He's a calm, mild-mannered guy who's been married for two decades to a screenwriter named Oto. We get a sense of their mutual devotion when we see Kafuku driving around in his bright red Saab, rehearsing his lines by listening to audio tapes that Oto has painstakingly recorded for him.

But their relationship is more complicated than it appears. Years ago, Kafuku and Oto experienced an agonizing loss that has led her to find solace — and perhaps something more — in relationships with other men. Kafuku has deep compassion for his wife, which doesn't make her betrayal any less painful. And then another tragedy strikes when Oto dies suddenly.

It is scheduled to play at the AMC Loews Waterfront on March 20, 22, and 24, and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson on the 22nd and 24th. The shows are in Japanese with English subtitles, and tickets are available online.