Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2013

Germans still seem fascinated with their divided past, with hit films such as Good Bye, Lenin taking a nostalgic look at the days of East Germany. The latest offering set in the era is Barbara (2012; pictured), which tells the story of a doctor working in East Berlin who finds herself arbitrarily transferred by the government to a small country hospital. Screening from January 19 at Bunkamura’s Le Cinema (2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku; www.bunkamura.co.jp).

Late director Shinji Somai was highly prolific, making 30 films between 1980 and 2000, the year before his death. He was also responsible for creating the still iconic image of a school girl in uniform brandishing a machine gun for his aptly titled yakuza parody Sailor Suit and Machine Gun. Now Shibuya’s Eurospace (1-5 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku; www.eurospace.co.jp) is presenting a full retrospective of Somai’s works, from January 19-February 1.

Shin-Bungeiza in Ikebukuro (3F, 1-43-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro Toshima-ku; www.shin-bungeiza.com) continues its series celebrating heroines of the silver screen with a program of films starring Ayako Wakao, January 26-February 8. The actress was known for appearing in works exploring taboos, such as Manji (1964) about a lesbian relationship.