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'Ghost Cat Anzu' Screening In Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme



The UK branch of the Japan Foundation's Touring Film Programme is designed to bring the best in contemporary Japanese cinema to audiences around the country. The line-up occasionally includes anime (although not as often as you might expect). This year, it features some animation in the form of Japanese/French co-production Ghost Cat Anzu.

The Japan Foundation describe the film

11-year-old Karin (voiced by GOTO Noa) isn’t happy when her good-for-nothing father drops her off at her grandfather’s temple to stay while he runs away from the loan sharks on his tail, nor is she excited when she meets Anzu (voiced by MORIYAMA Mirai): her grandfather’s 37-year-old, six foot tall, bipedal, talking cat. Anzu is a bakeneko, or a ghost cat. He works part-time as a chiropractor, rides a moped and likes going down to the pachinko parlour.

At first, Anzu is reluctant to look after Karin. But seeing her desperate wish to be with her deceased mother once again on the anniversary of her death, he joins her. Together, this unusual pair set off on an extraordinary, magical journey, where they even find themselves on the path down to the underworld itself!

This quirky Japanese-French co-production is a visually stunning joy to watch that brings the world of yokai (ghosts) to vibrant, charming life.


The film was produced in rotoscoping, in other words, it was originally shot in live-action, and then animated over the top. 

Ghost Cat Anzu is based on the manga of the same name by Takashi Imashiro and is directed by Yoko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita. It's produced by Shin-Ei Animation and Miyu Productions. . The screenplay was written by Shinji Imaoka, and the music was composed by Keiichi Suzuki. It screened at Cannes and Annecy last year and opened in Japan in July of 2024.

For more information on the Touring Film Programme, see here.


Screening Venues

QUAD
Sunday 9 February, 18:45

King Street Cinema
Thursday 13 February, 19:30

Firstsite
Saturday 15 February, 14:00

Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
Saturday 15 February, 15:30

Depot
Saturday 15 February, 18:00

Storyhouse
Sunday 16 February, 17:00

Hyde Park Picture House
Saturday 22 February, 14:00

Showroom Cinema
Sunday 23 February, 12:30

The Dukes
Sunday 23 February, 13:30

Cube Cinema
Sunday 23 February, 17:00

HOME
Saturday 1 March, 13:00

Dundee Contemporary Arts
Sunday 2 March

Queen's Film Theatre
Sunday 2 March, 15:00

Broadway
Saturday 15 March

Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Sunday 16 March

Tyneside Cinema
Wednesday 19 March, 20:15

Eden Court
Saturday 22 March

Chichester Cinema
Monday 24 March, 18:00

Phoenix, Leicester
Saturday 29 March

Exeter Phoenix
Saturday 29 March, 16:00

Brewery Arts Cinema
Saturday 29 March, 17:00