25 Oct (Sat)
The world of Kabuki, the elaborately stylized male Japanese theatrical tradition, is the setting for director Lee Sang-il’s epic melodrama of artistic ambition, rivalry, and betrayal. It is an adaptation of a bestseller by Shuichi Yoshida and weaves in stunning stagings of classic Kabuki tales that wowed audiences at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. In 1960s Nagasaki, after the death of his yakuza father, gifted teenager Kikuo (Ryo Yoshizawa) is taken under the wing of famed Kabuki actor Hanjiro Hanai (Ken Watanabe), even though the great performer already has a son, Shunsuke (Ryusei Yokohama), who has dedicated his life to the art. Over fifty years, the relationship of the two disciples entwines and twists, and their hearts suffer as much yearning, glory, and downfall as their on-stage alter egos.
The Academy Alumni Association has invited Director Lee Sang-il to Hong Kong for a special post-screening talk with renowned Hong Kong Cantonese opera actress and alumnus of the Academy's School of Film and Television and School of Chinese Opera, Paris Wong. The talk will explore the relationship between Japanese Kabuki female idols and traditional Chinese operatic female roles. Don't miss it!
Details of the screening for the Alumni Association:
Date: 25 October 2025 （Saturday）
Time: 4:00 PM (duration: 174 minutes)
Sharing: 7:00 PM (duration: 30 minutes)
Location: Premiere Elements, Shop 2130, 2/F, Fire, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
Ticket Price: $130 / $150 （depending on the seating section）