The Myth of the American Sleepover (© 2011 - Roman Spring Pictures)

Shin-Bungeiza in Ikebukuro (3F, 1-43-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro Toshima-ku; www.shin-bungeiza.com) continues its “Cinematheque” series of independent films from around the world with two American films that were hits at Sundance. On July 17 is The Myth of the American Sleepover (pictured), a coming-of-age tale set in a Detroit suburb during the last weekend of summer. An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, in which an artist who was stood up by a woman animates a film about the experience, plays on July 24. Critic Shinsuke Odera will give a talk in Japanese after each screening.

In 1971, British Formula One driver Jackie Stewart attempted to win the Monaco Grand Prix and was joined by racing enthusiast Roman Polanski. Their time together was captured on film, and 40 years later, they returned to Monaco. The result is the documentary Weekend of a Champion, which roars onto the screen July 18 at Image Forum in Shibuya (2-10-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; www.imageforum.co.jp)

Prolific actress Ayako Wakao, who made her debut way back in 1952 and starred in classics such at 1956’s Streets of Shame, is the subject of a 60-film retrospective running through August 14 at Kadokawa Cinema Shinjuku (3-13-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; www.kadokawa-cinema.jp). Now 81, Wakao is still working. Films are in Japanese with no subtitles.