Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2011

A nocturnal mind-warping Russian odyssey is on offer as Ikebukuro art house Shin-Bungeiza (3F, 1-43-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro Toshima-ku; www.shin-bungeiza.com) holds an all-night marathon screening of films by late Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky, May 14, from 10pm. Tarkovsky’s style brings a philosophical slant to science fiction, in films such as Solaris (1972; pictured), Stalker (1979) and the autobiographical Mirror (1974), all of which are in the lineup… Shin-Bungeiza is also presenting a series of classic films by venerated Japanese director Mikio Naruse, until May 14. Naruse is known for his working-class dramas focusing on female protagonists, such as Repast (Meshi; 1951) and Floating Clouds (1960)… The very personal documentary Mothers’ Way, Daughters’ Choice will screen at Pole Pole (4-4-1 Higashi Nakano, Nakano-ku; www.mmjp.or.jp/pole2) from May 7. Director Kyoko Gasha moved to New York with her young daughter to work as a Reuters reporter shortly before 9/11. The experience inspired her to interview other Japanese women who’d left their country to avoid the traditional choice between family and career. (Some interviews are in English).

Unless otherwise noted, Japanese films are shown without English subtitles and non-English language films are shown with only Japanese subtitles.