Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2013

Shibuya’s Image Forum (2-10-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; www.imageforum.co.jp) is marking the Japan release of the doc Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir by dipping into Polanski’s filmography and pulling out a few landmark films. The program, running Jun 1-Jul 12, includes the Polish-language feature Knife in the Water (1962) that was nominated for an Oscar and is today considered one of the strongest directorial debuts ever, as well as Catherine Deneuve in psychological thriller Repulsion (1965) and Mia Farrow in atmospheric horror classic Rosemary’s Baby (1968; pictured).

Late director Keisuke Kinoshita is finally getting his due after passing away in 1998. Although he did not achieve the international fame of his contemporary, Akira Kurosawa, he was once a well-known figure in Japan. To mark the centenary of his birth, the Berlin Film Festival presented a selection of his work back in February. Now Shin-Bungeiza in Ikebukuro (3F, 1-43-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro Toshima-ku; www.shin-bungeiza.com) is screening some of his 49 films, including Carmen Goes Home (1951), Japan’s first color film.

Cinema Vera (1-5 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku; www.cinemavera.com) is running a program of films by Kenji Mizoguchi through June 7. The celebrated director is remembered for the ghost drama Ugetsu (1953) and gritty films featuring strong female characters.