Notebook on Cities and Clothes

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Opening Ceremony: United by Emotion(en)

Coverage of the glorious Olympic Opening Ceremony of the Games in Tokyo. The 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony took place on 23 July 2021 at Olympic Stadium, Tokyo. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings combined the formal and ceremonial opening of this international sporting event, including welcoming speeches, hoisting of the flags and the parade of athletes, with an artistic spectacle to showcase the host nation's culture and history.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Closing Ceremony(en)

The Closing Ceremony of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in the New National Stadium in Tokyo

The Re-Up(en)

A backstage and on-stage look at Nicki Minaj's career during the Pink Friday Tour, festivals, and more.

Tokyo Phoenix(fr)

In 150 years, twice marked by total destruction —a terrible earthquake in 1923 and incendiary bombings in 1945— followed by a spectacular rebirth, Tokyo, the old city of Edo, has become the largest and most futuristic capital in the world in a transformation process fueled by the exceptional resilience of its inhabitants, and nourished by a unique phenomenon of cultural hybridization.

Stiff Sheets(en)

Stiff Sheets indicts public health officials and politicians for the lack of adequate and humane care for people with AIDS in Los Angeles, this time documenting a mock fashion show staged by ACT UP activists.

Mr. Smith Goes to Tokyo(en)

When Tomoko finds some messages for a 'Mr Smith' on a lost mobile phone, she finds herself on an 'Alice in Wonderland' journey through Tokyo's boulevards and back alleys. From the tyranny of symmetry in soaring office blocks - to buildings that look like space-ships, this creative documentary shows us the city's soul.

Tenório and the Dreams of Judo(pt)

Antônio Tenório and the Brazilian Paralympic Team are invited to a rare training camp in Japan. Passing through the main temples of Judo, our visually impaired athletes face the many challenges of training in an unknown country. The encounter with their Japanese hosts generates strangeness and difficulties, but also discoveries and joys. Step by step, these situations strengthen our athletes, who find themselves increasingly united. Led by the charisma and sensitivity of champion Tenório, a new generation of judo is revealed and inspired.

Appointment in Tokyo(en)

Produced by the Army Pictorial Service, Signal Corps, with the cooperation of the Army Air Forces and the United States Navy, and released by Warner Bros. for the War Activities Committee shortly after the surrender of Japan. Follow General Douglas MacArthur and his men from their exile from the Philippines in early 1942, through the signing of the instrument of surrender on the USS Missouri on September 1, 1945. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Mode Reville(fr)

Silent documentary short showcasing a fashion show in the late twenties set at the Côte d'Azur.

Maison Margiela Artisanal Collection 2024(en)

The ritual of dressing is a composition of the self. With the body as our canvas, we build an exterior expressive of the interior: a form of emotion. The Maison Margiela 2024 Artisanal Collection paints a picture of the practices and occurrences that shape the character reflected within our dress. Under Pont Alexandre III, bathed in the light of the first full moon of the year, Creative Director John Galliano captures a moment in time: a walk through the underbelly of Paris, offline.

Koi(ja)

There's no definitive separation as long as there is memory'. Since the Tsunami hit the northern part of Japan's coast in 2011, more than 20 thousand people lost their lives, and many others are still missing. As time went by the families of the victims abandoned all hope and stopped looking for their loved ones. However, this is the story of two men that are still fully committed to their respective searching activities. Even though their backgrounds are extremely different, both share a strong force of will and firmly wish to keep alive the memories of the ones that went missing. Perseverance is what pushed an ex-convict to look for redemption by helping the victims' families to find the remains of their loved ones, and perseverance is what brought a bus driver to start to dive in order to search for his wife.

Made in Japan(en)

Made in Japan is the remarkable story of Tomi Fujiyama, the first female Japanese country music star. From playing the USO circuit throughout Asia to headlining in Las Vegas and recording 7 albums for Columbia records, Tomi’s career culminates in a 1964 performance at The Grand Ole Opry where she followed Johnny Cash and received the only standing ovation of the night. Forty years later, Tomi and her husband set out on a journey through Japan and across the United States to fulfill a dream of performing at The Opry one more time. Made in Japan is a funny yet poignant multi-cultural journey through music, marriage, and the impact of the corporate world on the dreams of one woman.

Tokyo Ainu(ja)

TOKYO Ainu features the Ainu, an indigenous people of Japan, living in Greater Tokyo (Tokyo and its surrounding areas), who are and actively in promoting their traditional culture in a metropolitan environment away from their traditional homeland, Hokkaido. Shedding a common assumption that all Ainu live in Hokkaido, the film captures the feelings, thoughts and aspirations of Ainu people that who try to follow the Ainu way no matter where they live.

No Packers, No Life(en)

Suh, whose favorite Packer will always be Mason Crosby; Omi and Ayaka, whose infant daughter already sports a green and gold onesie, and Ryuta aka “fatdragon08” who briefly lived in Milwaukee in 1990, studying English, where he was teased for wearing a San Fancisco 49ers jacket, and subsequently converted to the Pack Life. Benzine’s film lets us spend quality time with these super fans, and then follows them as they make plans to cross the sea to see their beloved Packers in-person at Lambeau! As director Benzine says, “No Packers, No Life is a story about a sports team and their fans, but more than that it illustrates how people from all over the world can come together and unite over a common passion. Also, the Japanese fans arrive in Green Bay and get to ride the Zippin Pippin and party a lot. It’s a very good time.”

RICK OWENS SS26 MENS TEMPLE(en)

Rick Owens' Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection, titled Temple, was a theatrical exploration of legacy, transformation, and raw sensuality. Staged at Paris' Palais de Tokyo, the show featured models descending a towering scaffold into a fountain, immersing themselves in water before ascending again—symbolizing rebirth and resilience. The collection showcased Owens' signature elements: slashed Tuscan leathers, studded straps, voluminous flight jackets, and towering platform boots, all rendered in a monochrome palette. This presentation coincided with his Temple of Love retrospective at the Palais Galliera, offering a poignant reflection on his career and the enduring themes of love and mortality.

Dior Summer 2026(en)

Jonathan Anderson's debut Dior Summer 2026 collection reimagines menswear by blending historical elegance with modern utility. Showcased at Paris's Hôtel des Invalides, the collection featured couture-level cargo shorts, Bar jackets paired with chinos, and French silk vests with jeans and sneakers, reflecting Anderson's fusion of formality and materiality. Drawing inspiration from 18th-century painter Jean Siméon Chardin, the designs emphasized sincerity and everyday beauty, avoiding nostalgic over-reliance. The show concluded with a standing ovation, affirming Anderson's transformative vision for Dior.

Celebration(fr)

A documentary on Yves Saint-Laurent and the legendary fashion designer's final show.

Colourful Fashions from Paris(en)

Hope Hampton, aka Mrs. Jules Brulator of Park Avenue, models a large assortment of clothes from Parisian couturiers.

Salaryman(ja)

Tokyo work culture's most compelling and complex protagonist; the Salaryman. A nameless, voiceless, over-worked and under-valued cog in the labour pool, expected to compromise home and social lives. Late nights and intense drinking sessions leave many of them passed out in the city streets. This slick, incisive documentary raises questions around the ethics of our global working practices in a capitalist society.

Tokyo Olympiad(ja)

This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.

Seven Wishes(ru)

Hoping to change her life, Marina, a small town girl, embarks on a journey to a life coaching event. But an unexpected delay at a St. Petersburg airport sends her on a 24 hour comedic spree, which may ultimately provide her with the key to her happiness.

Aurinkotuuli(fi)

Gravity researcher Erik Rankamaa dies in his prime in 1970. He is been deep frozen and gets defrosted in 1999, while people of his time are still alive.

Something Like, Something Like It(ja)

Master Shinkome asks Shinden to find a former disciple, Shintoto, from his rakugoka (comic storytelling) family. Shinden visits ex-disciples in his search for Shintoto.

The Butterfly(en)

Directed by Robert W. Paul.

Pennies(en)

The story of Charlotte Brown,a waitress and young single mother who will do anything for her daughter Jenny, and when push comes to shove, she does. With a menacing figure on the other end of the phone and a time limit of two hours,she must raise enough money to ensure that she sees the smiling face of her child again. Charlotte's customers are her only hope. The clock is ticking as we see the desperate young mother dealing with one eccentric customer after the next, displaying her charming vulnerability and inspiring strength through all the chaos. With her feet firmly planted on the ground, Charlotte maintains her focus and attempts to beat the clock and save the day.

Visionary Iraq(en)

Story about Incest and the Iraq war.

One Week(en)

A soon-to-be groom learns that he may have contracted HIV. Waiting a full seven days for the test results turns out to be the most hectic week of his life.

The Gaucho(en)

A girl is saved by a miracle after she falls from a cliff in the Argentine Andes, and is blessed with healing powers. A shrine is built on the site, and a whole city grows around it, rich with gold from the grateful worshipers. Ruiz, an evil and sadistic general, captures the city, confiscates the gold, and closes the shrine. But the Gaucho, the charismatic leader of a band of outlaws, comes to the rescue.

Galaxy Away(en)

During the festive season, an ex-clerk disappears from his motel room. His buddy anticipates his return and becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding his missing friend.

Fate(en)

Serial killers have plagued the American landscape for decades, committing gruesome atrocities, and providing some tough cases for criminal investigators to crack. Two detectives are on the trail of a bizarre murderer intent on slaughtering his victims, then using them as real-life puppets in a tale that he is trying to tell.

Música en la noche(es)

An ingenious actor has an idea of making musical numbers without a dialogue when he arrives with a violin and a ladder.

The Bloody Shirt(sh)

A film about blood revenge in Montenegro.

Zamanback(kk)

Azat blames his father for not achieving financial success in his youth and drinking a lot. After a quarrel caused by these problems, Azat finds himself in 1994, the year when his parents had just married. As a result, he tries to avoid a repeat of their fate and thinks, by interfering with their wedding, that he has the opportunity to change his life.

Femmes, de la rue à l'abri(fr)