Tee: The True Spirit of Okinawan Karate(2014)

Born In Summer(ja)

A filmmaker plays with diary-docu and fiction as his camera joins his ventures into a phone dating club. Bored to death, hormones running, and desperately wanting to talk to someone his own age (preferably a girl), he walks into a local phone dating club. Can he hook up with someone? Borrowing the form of a diary-movie, the director unfurls an unpredictable and imaginative look into his own persona. 8mm experimental film by Murakami Kenji, the film that made his name.

The Message from Fukushima(ja)

Short documentary about the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Poem of the Young Hearts(en)

An independently produced documentary about growing up as a blind youth in 1960's Japan. It focuses on a group of elementary level students being taught by Mr. Kawai at the Zoshigaya Branch of Tokyo Educational University. Filmed over 12 years, the documentary tracks these student's lives up through their young adulthood. It follows the journey of one student in particular, Kiyoshi Hasegawa, a young boy who eventually learns a passion for music and wants to become a recording artist. Expanded from director Hideo Hamada's documentary short "But We Can Gaze!"

Takeda(es)

Takeda is a film about the universality of the human being seen thru the eyes of a Japanese painter that has adopted the Mexican culture.

The Voyage of Bashô(fr)

A fictionalised documentary about the great Japanese poet Bashô (1644–1694), the spiritual father of haiku poetry. A monk, portraying the poet, journeys through Japan, following Bashô's journal and writing many of his haikus. A ruminant, poetic, Zen Buddhist observation of nature – a return to the lost paradise of unspoilt nature.

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness(ja)

Follows the behind-the-scenes work of Studio Ghibli, focusing on the notable figures Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki.

Gracie Jiu-jitsu In Action - Vol 1(en)

See Grand Master Helio Gracie's historical battles against Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champions Kato and Kimura, which took place in the 1950's. Also watch the 1975 Team Gracie vs. Team Karate challenge, which took place on tile flooring, where Rorion, Relson, and the legendary Rolls Gracie were pitted against various karate black belts. Plus, Rorion in the first publicized NHB match in the US, where he fights a world-renowned Kickboxing champion who asked to keep his identity unknown. It also includes many fights of Gracie Jiu-Jistu students as well as the grueling match between Rickson Gracie and the feared brawler "King Zulu". Bonus Footage includes: The unedited footage of Helio Gracie's classic match with Kato. Also, see what is like a day with Helio Gracie at his ranch in Brazil. Plus, and the young gun Ralek Gracie in his first real fight!

Gracie Jiu-jitsu In Action - Vol 2(en)

This DVD documents many fights which occurred in the years just prior to Rorion's creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Including Royce Gracie's first fight with Jason De Lucia (The second match was in UFC II) and the Hapkido master who fights Rorion can't seem to understand why he keeps getting choked out. You will also see Royler and Royce Gracie compete in black belt judo competitions and prove repeatedly that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport. Also included are some of Rickson Gracie's fights, one against a Russian which took place at the Gracie Academy and the other is the classic fight of his, on the beach in Rio de Janeiro. Bonus Footage Ryron and Rener of the new generation of Gracie's, competing in incredible matches against some of today's best grapplers: "King of the Cage" champion Joe Stevenson, Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Cassio Werneck, Todd Margolis and much more!

Floral Japan(en)

This Traveltalk visit to Japan starts with a look at the country's cherry blossom trees, tulips, and ubiquitous gardens. We then see the proper manner for preparing a woman's hair and wearing a kimono.

Samurai Headhunters(en)

A documentary on the dark and brutal side of the Samurai warrior clans featuring the life of peasant Masa who is pressganged into the ruthless world of the Samurai.

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks(en)

The fantastic story of how an ancient martial art, Chinese kung fu, conquered the world through the hundreds of films that were produced in Hong Kong over the decades, transformed Western action cinema and inspired the birth of cultural movements such as blaxploitation, hip hop music, parkour and Wakaliwood cinema.

Fight Mom(en)

A documentary that follows Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson as she balances life as a mother and professional MMA fighter.

Cherry Blossom Time in Japan(en)

In this Traveltalk short, the symbolic role of cherry blossoms in Japanese culture is explored as well as the traditional Japanese religions of Shintoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

Raise Your Arms and Twist - Documentary of NMB48(ja)

Launched in 2011 as a sister group to girl band behemoth AKB48, the Osaka-based NMB48 has become a musical force itself. With a string of No.1 hit singles and albums, not to mention sell-out performances, NMB48 continues Japan’s pop-music phenomena. Director Funahashi Atsushi, whose documentary work has previously chronicled such harrowing events as the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, pulls back the curtain on the life and struggles of the band members and the workings of the idol-making industry.

Io sono nata viaggiando(it)

A journey back through Dacia Maraini's and her trips around the world with her close friends cinema director Pier Paolo Pasolini and opera singer Maria Callas. An in-depth story of this fascinating woman's life. Maraini's memories come alive through personal photographs taken on the road as well as her own Super 8 films shot almost thirty years ago.

The Cove(en)

The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.

JDM Insider vol 4: The Kanto Tuners(ja)

Other - An in-depth look at the world of Japanese street racing.

Queer Japan(ja)

Trailblazing artists, activists, and everyday people from across the spectrum of gender and sexuality defy social norms and dare to live unconventional lives in this kaleidoscopic view of LGBTQ+ culture in contemporary Japan.

Japon : L'Empire du sexe virtuel(fr)

Attack: The Battle for New Britain(en)

War - Documentary film depicting the attack by Allied forces on the Japanese strong-holds of Arawe Beach and Cape Gloucester, New Britain, in the South Pacific theatre of the Second World War in 1943. - Leo Genn, Burgess Meredith, Anthony Veiller