International Movie Night, インターナショナル・ムービーナイト Infernal Affairs (2002 Hong Kong)

Text by Misako Ozawa

When Tong asked me what I know about Hong Kong movies a while ago, my answer was, “aw, Jackie Chan? action movies?” Now, after having seen the great movie “Infernal Affairs”, I knew that was a silly and naïve answer I wish I could take back.

It goes without saying that Tony Leung is attractive (I think he is more of my type than Andy Lau in this movie!), but what makes him a great actor is that he grabbed our heart by his sad and disconsolate look when he lost his most trusted and somehow fatherly boss in return for his life. There were several more scenes as shocking and thrilling as this one, like when the most stupid looking mafioso sacrificed his life to save the police officer 陳永仁. I’m not quite sure what kind of genre this film should be categorized into, but I have a strong feeling that we were all taught about one thing; There’s no bad men by nature. It’s your choice to be a bad person or a good person. 

Though I liked the movie very much and can’t wait to see its prequel as well as sequel, we were all so depressed by the sad ending that when and how Tong initiated a quiz time right away, as if we were watching a fun and happy movie, we burst into laughter. Tong, I think you want to learn how to read the atmosphere, or give us more elaborate questions other than what the names of the two main characters are!! I admit though, that it changed the dark mood and triggered our own discussions between neighbor friends! (And maybe I shouldn’t complain about it at all, as I won the prize thanks to that easy quiz!)

 

The movie was followed by nice chats and mingling. I was so amused to meet a new friend with the same name and kanji as mine. It was nice meeting you, Misa-chan! Alright, buddies, see you soon!

Misako Ozawa

To understand a country’s culture, we can study its language, history or make a vacation trip for some first hand experiences. Here is another option. We Are One together with Cafe Frosch, is going to help everyone to achieve similar experiences with sounds and images at our International Movie Night.

At our International Movie Night, we will be show casing films from various countries around the world. Besides commercial films, occasionally, there will also be independent short films from international film markers who are trying to convey a message, or express their less known cultures through the lenses.

Come join our International Movie Night on every first Saturday evening in a traditional Machiya café. Enjoy a film, and add a few more internationally-minded friends on your facebook at the end of the evening. Pay attention to the film and win yourself some prizes too.

Who should come?

-       If you are learning the language of the film.

-       If you are internationally-minded and wish to find your same kind.

-       If you are interested in international films or independent films.

-       If you are sick of bars and pubs on a Saturday evening and a hangover the next morning.

About the Movie

Infernal Affairs (2002) is a Hong Kong crime-thriller film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It tells the story of a police officer who infiltrates the Triads, and a police officer secretly working for the same gang. The Chinese title means "the non-stop path", a reference to Avici, the lowest level of hell in Buddhism. The English title is a word play combining the law enforcement term 'internal affairs' with the adjective Infernal. Due to its commercial and critical success, Infernal Affairs was followed by a prequel,Infernal Affairs II, and a sequel, Infernal Affairs III, both released in 2003, as well as the previously mentioned 2006 American remake, The Departed.  Pre-release publicity for Infernal Affairsfocused on its star-studded cast but it later received critical acclaim for its original plot and its concise and swift storytelling style. The film did exceptionally well in Hong Kong, where it was considered "a box office miracle" and heralded as a revival of Hong Kong cinema which at the time was considered to be direly lacking in creativity.
     The film features all the members of the popular Hong Kong 'Cantopop' group EO2, playing Triad boss Hom Sam's men. One member of this group has subsequently become a lead actor (Osman Hung).  Miramax Films acquired the United States distribution rights of this film and gave it a limited US theatrical release in 2004.

Date & Time: 7^th May 2011 Saturday, 1800~2100
Movie title: Infernal Affairs (2002) 無間道，Hong Kong, Cantonese, Japanese subtitle

Venue: Café Frosch, Kyoto

557-7 Higashiyanagi-cho,
Itsutsuji-dori, Shichihonmatsu agaru,
Kamigyo-ku, Nishijin-Kyoto
JAPAN

http://www.cafe-frosch.com/en.html

Program: 
1800 Registration & Mingling (Dinner option: try out from Cafe Frosch' menu)

1930 Introduction & Movie Starts

2100 Quiz & Prizes

2115~ More mingling

Cost: 1000yen with RSVP (1 drink & snacks included)


One coin (500 yen) dishes, like jacket potatoes and guacamole as well as dishes from Cafe Frosch regular menu will be served. 


This is a private event, participants must RSVP.

RSVP with your name & nationality to we.are.one.japan@gmail.com. 

ある国の文化を理解するにはその国の言葉や歴史を勉強する、あるいはその国を旅して直に体験してみるという手段がありますが、もう一つの選択肢があります。We Are One ではインターナショナル・ムービーナイトで皆さんがサウンドと映像によって同様の体験が得られるようお手伝いをします。インターナショナル・ムービーナイトでは世界各国からのさまざまな映画を紹介していきます。商業フィルムのほかに、時には何らかのメッセージを伝えようと試みたり、レンズを通してあまり知られていない文化を表現しようとしている国際的視野を持った映画製作者による自主制作ショートフィルムになることもあります。
毎週第一土曜の夕方、伝統的な町屋カフェで行われるインターナショナル・ムービーナイトに来てください。映画を楽しみましょう。そしてその夜の終わりに国際的な友達をfacebookに加えましょう。映画に集中して賞品も手に入れましょう。

エベントに参加すべき人ってどんな人？
-　映画の中で使われる言語を学んでいる人、
- 国際的関心をもち、自分と同じような人を見つけたいと思っている人
- 国際的な映画や自主制作映画に興味がある人、
- 土曜の夜のバーやパブ、翌日の朝の二日酔いにうんざりしている人。

映画について


警察学校に入ってすぐその優秀さゆえマフィア組織に潜入するという特別指令を受けた警察官ヤン（トニー・レオン）と、マフィアのボスに送り込まれ警察組織に潜入した男ラウ（アンディ・ラウ）。
それぞれのスパイが組織に送る情報で両者の勝負が左右される。そして双方のスパイの存在がだんだんと嗅ぎ付けられていく。スパイとはいえ１０年も敵方に潜入しているとそこでの人間関係や信頼関係も出来てくるのは必須。特にマフィアに潜入中のヤンは本当の自分が見えなくなりそうで精神的に追い詰められていく。偽りの自分を１０年など普通の神経なら精神的におかしくなっても不思議ではないと思う。ましてや正義感の強い警察官が黒の世界にいるなんて‥‥。
そしてヤンを支え続けた警視を演じるアンソニー・ウォン。彼の衝撃的なシーンはこの映画を語る上で最も重要なのではないかと思う。涙なくして観られない。

日時： 2011年5月7日　6:00 PM ～9:00 PM
映画：インファナル・アフェア/無間道　（香港、広東語、日本語字幕）
場所： カフェ フロッシュ　京都
西陣京都
京都市上京区七本松通五辻上ル東柳町557-7 
http://www.facebook.com/l/6e925HVowPpJ43lw0jl_CTqchjw/www.cafe-frosch.com/en.html 


6:00 開場ー交流タイム（お食事 できます）7:30 映画の紹介ー上映
9:00 賞品の当たるクイズ！
9:15 ~ 交流タ イム

参加費: 1,000円（ワンドリンク＆スナックを含む） <完全予約制>

プライベートイ ベントにつき、必ず事前に予約をしてください。
we.are.one.japan@gmail.com まで、氏名と国籍を記入の上、送信願います。

カフェ　フロッシュ　ー　西陣、京都 ―　週末のブランチ　ー　アートイベント　ー　幼児の遊戯室
www.cafe-frosch.com
カフェ フロッシュは京都北西部の伝統的な西陣地区の公園前にあります。くつろいだ町屋スタイルの雰囲気で日本料理と多国籍料理の両方をリラックスして楽しむことができる場所を提供しています。また時折、小さなコンサートや美術展なども開催しています。