Enthusiastic Audience Joins CJFC for Laugh, Everyone!
On Saturday, September 13, the Chicago Japan Film Collective proudly hosted the International Premiere of Laugh, Everyone! as part of our new Backstreet Cinema Series Vol. 1. The matinee screening at the Music Box Theatre drew an enthusiastic audience who gathered to experience this heartfelt and humorous story of rakugo, family ties, and resilience.
The audience responded with laughter, emotion, and curiosity, which carried over into a lively Q&A session with lead actor NOBE Tomizo, who traveled from Japan to join us. His thoughtful reflections on the role and his generous interaction with the crowd made the afternoon truly special. Following the screening, around fifteen attendees continued the celebration at Konbini & Kanpai, one of Chicago’s most beloved spots for Japanese sake and drinks. On the outdoor patio, blessed with beautiful late-summer weather, guests enjoyed snacks and conversation in a relaxed, friendly setting. Sharing a table with Mr. Nobe gave everyone the rare chance to exchange impressions of the film directly with its lead actor.
This event marked a powerful close to Vol. 1 of the Backstreet Cinema Series, affirming CJFC’s mission to connect people across cultures and generations through Japanese cinema. We are deeply grateful to our audience, our partners at Konbini & Kanpai, and most of all, to Mr. Nobe for his presence and generosity. With Laugh, Everyone! the message was clear: stories and laughter have the power to bring us together, both on screen and off.
Photo courtesy of Yukako Wrenn