Chicago Japan Film Collective 2025
Backstreet Cinema Series Vol. 2

“The Cinematic Roar” — Where Cinema Meets Pulse, Rhythm, and Spirit

As we continue our journey toward CJFC’s 5th anniversary in 2026, we would like to thank you sincerely for joining us for Backstreet Cinema Series Vol. 1, which launched this past September.

In this second installment, we explored the primal power and emotional resonance of Japanese art through two documentaries — each reflecting the heartbeat, courage, and creative spirit that lie at the core of Japan’s cultural identity.

Titled “The Cinematic Roar,” this volume celebrates the elemental energy that drives artistic expression. From Ishirō Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director, tracing the life and legacy of the man behind Godzilla, to Shiver, which captures the awe-inspiring rhythms of the world-renowned taiko ensemble Kodo, these films together embody the pulse of human creativity.

Ishirō Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director illuminates the life, philosophy, and deep friendship with Akira Kurosawa of one of Japan’s most influential filmmakers. Shiver follows, beautifully and powerfully expressing the physicality and spirituality of taiko drumming—an art that transcends words.

After each screening, we held special programs that allowed audiences to further engage with the themes of legacy, sound, and creativity.

Your participation and warm support continue to bring life to this series. We are deeply grateful to share these cultural experiences with audiences in Chicago and around the world.

Together, let’s carry this roar forward into the future!