Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in Pittsburgh-area theaters through (at least) March 27.

The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか), which opened across Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 7, will continue in local theater throughs (at least) March 27. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.

. . .

A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

It continues to play locally at AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2024 Vietnamese movie Mai, Vietnam's highest grossing film of all time, in Pittsburgh from March 21.

The 2024 Vietnamese movie Mai will play in Pittsburgh from March 21.

Restlessly haunted by the past, Mai is greeted by a new dawn when she reluctantly befriends the neighborhood ladies’ man. But when her yesterday catches up to her today, what will become of her tomorrow? Starring Phuong Anh Dao and Tuan Tran, directed by Tran Thanh, produced by Tran Thanh Town and CJ HK Entertainment, with a North American & European release by 3388 Films.

It plays locally at the AMC Classic South Hills Village and tickets are available online.

New Korean movie Exhuma (파묘) in Pittsburgh, from March 22.

The new Korean movie Exhuma (파묘) will play in Pittsburgh from March 22 through 27.

When a renowned shaman (KIM Go-Eun) and her protégé (Lee Do-hyun) are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family, they begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician (YOO Hai-jin) and the country’s most revered geomancer (CHOI Min-sik), they soon trace the affliction’s origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground. Sensing an ominous aura surrounding the burial site, the team opts to exhume and relocate the ancestral remains immediately. But as something much darker emerges, they soon discover what befalls those who dare to mess with the wrong grave.

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

2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫) continues in Pittsburgh through March 27.

The 2024 Chinese film YOLO (热辣滚烫), which opened in Pittsburgh on March 7, will remain here through at least March 27.

Le Ying (played by Jia Ling) has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to "reconcile" with herself. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia-Yin). Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination, and her vibrant life is just beginning..

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

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days remains in Pittsburgh through March 24.

816 《BIG》 Movie Screening + Director's Talk 電影放映會+魏德聖導演座談會, March 31.

The Pittsburgh Taiwanese association will present 816 《BIG》 Movie Screening + Director's Talk 電影放映會+魏德聖導演座談會 on March 31 at Carnegie Mellon University.

Join Pittsburgh Taiwanese Association for this special film screening, featuring an in-person Q&A with Director Wei Te-Sheng!

Doors open at 9:00 and the movie starts at 9:30 am in the McConomy Auditorium in the Jared L. Cohon University Center. Tickets are available online.

University of Pittsburgh Japanese Student Association Matsuri, March 24.

The University of Pittsburgh Japanese Student Association will host its spring Matsuri on March 24, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm in the William Pitt Union's Lower Lounge (map).

🧺🌸 PITT JSA MATSURI 🌸🧺

Join us for Pitt JSA’s annual spring festival! From delicious food 🍙 to awesome vendors like Origami PGH and amazing live performances 🎤 including guest performer Mei Semones 💕You won’t want to miss out!

Matsuri will take place on March 24th from 4-9PM in WPU lower lounge, so bring your friends and join us for an unforgettable experience — hope to see you there!! 🌸

In the meantime keep an eye out for our Matsuri countdown 👀🙌🏼

Tickets now available for Studio Ghibli Fest 2024, bringing 14 animated Japanese films to Pittsburgh April through December.

Dates and Pittsburgh-area showtimes were recently announced for the 2024 Studio Ghibli Fest, running from April through December nationwide. Many of the films are ones that routinely play here, while others selections almost never do: 

• Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) - April 27-May 1
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (風の谷のナウシカ) - May 19, 21
• Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ) - May 20, 22
• The Secret World of Arrietty (借りぐらしのアリエッティ) - June 9, 11
• When Marnie Was There (思い出のマーニー) - June 10, 12
• Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) - July 13-17
• Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ)- August 3-7
• Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) - August 25, 27
• The Cat Returns (猫の恩返し) - August 26, 28
• Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) - September 26-October 3
• Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) - October 26-30
• Pom Poko (平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ) - November 24, 26
• The Tale of Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語) - November 25, 27
• My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ) - December 7-11

Among films that seem to play here multiple times a year are others that rarely do. Pom Poko played here in 2010 and 2018, Arietty in 2016 and 2019, Whisper of the Heart in 2019, and When Marnie Was There in 2015.

Tickets are now available online for the movies that will typically play at the AMC Loews Waterfront; the AMC Classic Westmoreland; the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson; and though not announced yet, they are also likely to play at the Waterworks Cinema. Some screenings are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie in Pittsburgh-area theaters, from April 10.

The upcoming concert film SUGA | Agust D Tour 'D-Day' The Movie, with Suga of Korean pop gropu BTS, will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from April 10.

The eagerly awaited film of BTS SUGA’s Encore Concert bursts onto the big screen worldwide! As the grand finale of the world tour, “SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ THE FINAL” marked the culmination of 25 concerts held in 10 cities, which captivated a total audience of 290,000 throughout its run. Experience the pulsating energy and excitement of “D-DAY’ THE FINAL” on screen, everything from the exquisite sounds traversing the boundary between “21st Century Pop Icon” BTS member SUGA and solo artist Agust D, electrifying performance, explosive energy, to special duet stages featuring fellow BTS members RM, Jimin, and Jung Kook.

It plays locally on April 10, 11, 12, and 13 at---on varying days---the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival opens today at Row House Lawrenceville, with special focus on Japanese horror.

The Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival opens today at the Row House Lawrenceville, with nearly 20 feature films plus a lengthy list of collaborations and special events. This year's special focus is Japanese horror, but the lineup also includes anime, drama, and classic films. The festival runs through the 28th, and the single-screen theater is located at 4115 Butler St. (map).