Cinématic Café in Musashino

It is a sort of art café where everyone freely discusses each other, following our introduction talk to films, animation, literature, manga, architecture, cities, art, music and subculture works on a single theme. The point is to share how each participant perceives and interprets the meanings they receive from these works. An easy-going atmosphere, accessible even to first-timers, no conclusions are drawn, just as go with the flows… No specialist knowledge is required. People who want to broaden their horizons, who are outside their field but have some interest, and want to know and listen are also welcome.

2024
21 December 18:30-20:00 Theme: Minimalism [Calling for participants]

After introducing films, literature, architecture, and artworks based on various ‘minimalist’ expressions and concepts, we discuss the meanings. This includes, for example, architect Mies van der Rohe’s idea that ‘Less is More’.

241208Vol.44ミニマリズム
Possible references, from left to right: “Perfect Days” Wim Wenders, ”Samourai“ Jean Pierre Melville, “Tai-an” Sen No Rikyu, “Koln Concert” Keith Jarrett
Fee

500 yen (including materials) Please feel free to bring your own drink.

How to participate

Booking is required (capacity of 10 people)

Please book in advance by email with your name and contact details

Venue

Space B, 3F Musashino Place 2-3-18 Sakaiminami-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo (access)

One-minute walk from Musashisakai station of JR Chuo Line and Seibu Tamagawa line

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Previous Cinématic Cafés

28 September 18:30-20:00 Theme: Fate and Association

We discuss the reasons and destinations for the ‘fate and association of humans’ depicted in films, architecture, art, literary works, etc., in a relaxed manner.

241103Vol.43縁、つながりEng
Possible references, from left to right: “Look Back” Tatsuki Fujimoto, ”There is No Such Thing as Space… Everything Has Place.“Timothy Morton, “Shoplifters” Hirokazu Kore-eda, “Drive My Car” Ryusuke Hamaguchi / Haruki Murakami
19 October 18:30-20:00 Theme: Reasons for Journey and its Destination

Everyone discusses the ‘Reasons for Journry and Its Destination’ as they are depicted impressively or as seen in films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc.

241019Vol.42旅に出る理由、目的地
Possible references, from left to right: “Into the Wild” Sean Penn, ”Aftersun“Charlotte Wells, “Suitcase-Key” Aiko Miyazaki, “To the Eternity” Yoshitoki Ohima
28 September 18:30-20:00 Theme: On Tower

Everyone discusses the meaning of ‘towers’ as they are depicted impressively or as seen in films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc.

240928Vol.41塔4.jpg
Possible references, from left to right: “Eiffel Tower” Roland Barthes, ”Tower of the Sun“Taro Okamoto, “The Seven Heavenly Palaces” Anselm Kiefer (Wim Wenders), “Tower” Bae Myung-Hoon
24 August 18:30-20:00 Theme: Ghost and its Metaphor

Everyone discusses the meaning of ‘ghosts’ (not just scary ghosts) and ‘ghosts’ (including metaphoric ones, e.g. ghost towns) as they are depicted impressively or as seen in films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc.

240824Vol.40幽霊ゴースト
Possible references, from left to right: “Night March of Hundred Monsters” Ho Tzu Nyen, “Ghost World” Daniel Clowes/Terry Zwigoff, “The Shining” Stephen King/Stanley Kubrick, “Detention” John Hsu
20 July 18:30-20:00 Theme: Transboundary Acts and Crosser

We discuss various ‘transboundary acts and persons’ that have been depicted or used as themes or motifs in film, literature, art, architecture, etc. in a relaxed manner.

240720Vol.39越境(する)4
Possible references, from left to right: “All the Pretty Horses” Cormac McCarthy, “Gando Primary School” Francis Kéré, “Orlando: A Biography” Virginia Woolf/Sally Potter, “The Zone of Interest” Jonathan Glazer, “Lost in Translation” Sofia Coppola
22 June 18:30-20:00 Theme: Dream

We discuss various ‘dreams’ that have been depicted or used as themes or motifs in film, literature, art, architecture, etc. in a relaxed manner.

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25 May 18:30-20:00 Theme: Utopia

Following on from ‘Dystopia’, we will introduce various ‘utopias’ as depicted in films, literature, architecture and artworks, and then casually discuss their meanings. Utopia” refers to an ideal world, and it is interesting to think about how our predecessors thought about and attempted to create such a world. It is by no means just the opposite of a ‘dystopia’. What happens if we take it further and extend it towards ‘paradise’ and ‘somewhere ideal’? Those who didn’t attend the ‘Dystopia’ session are also welcome to join.

240525Vol.37ユートピア
Possible references, from left to right “Yellow Submarine” George Danning and the Beatles, “Tokyo Plan 1960” Kenzo Tange, “America Utopia” Spike Lee, “Alpine Architecture” Bruno Taut
13 April 13:30-15:00 Subject: Dystopia

After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc., in a striking way which depicts various forms of ‘care’ and people who care and whom to be cared for with their standpoint and that have recently been the topic according to art and literature, everyone is invited to discuss their meaning in a relaxed atmosphere.

240412Vol.36ディストピア2
Possible references, from left to right “The Handmaid’s Tail” Margaret Atwood, “1984” Geroge Orwell, “PLAN75” Chie Hayakawa, “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” Hayao Miyazaki

Earlier Cinématic Cafés and the subjects