Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010

PHOTO ©NORTHSEE LIMITED 2007

The Bakuon Film Festival (www.bakuon-bb.net/2010) has a simple concept: play loud movies at explosive volumes. Running through June 12 at Kichijoji’s Baus Theater (042-22-3555; www.baustheater.com), the program includes Control (2007; pictured), Anton Corbijin’s film about influential English band Joy Division; Sogo Ishii’s punk fantasy Burst City (1982); and War of the Worlds (2005). BYO earplugs…

Shibuya’s Cinema Vera (03-3461-7703; www.cinemavera.com) is showing a collection of masterpieces of silent film from June 5-18. Screenings include the horror classics The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Vampyr (1932), as well as comedies featuring Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy. Most films are being shown with the original English intertitle.

Until June 4, Shibuya’s Bunkamura (03-3477-9111; www.bunkamura.co.jp) is showing Jane Campion’s The Piano (1993) as a build-up to the release of the director’s latest film, Bright Star (2009). The Piano, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, tells the story of a mute pianist and her daughter who are sent to rural New Zealand in the 1850s as part of an arranged marriage. The film is known for its haunting soundtrack by Michael Nyman.

Unless noted, Japanese films screen without English subtitles. Non-English language films are shown with Japanese subtitles only.