[Jimbocho Theater] Behind Great Films Are Female Screenwriters: A Special Screening of Works by Sumie Tanaka and Yoko Mizuki, Who Supported the Golden Age of Post-War Japanese Cinema, Starting April 4th (Sat)

Jimbocho Theater, a classic cinema in the city of books, spotlights classic Japanese films through various angles—including directors, performers, and themes—and screens them on film.

Starting Saturday, April 4th, we will feature the work of two female screenwriters who supported the golden age of post-war Japanese cinema: Sumie Tanaka (1908-2000) and Yoko Mizuki (1910-2003).

Sumie Tanaka is known for her screenplays for a series of films based on Fumiko Hayashi's works directed by the master Mikio Naruse, such as "Repast," "Lightning," and "Wandering Life." She excelled at writing scenarios centered on the lives of women. As a writer, she was a talented literary figure who won several literary awards, fully demonstrating her prowess as an author.

On the other hand, Yoko Mizuki worked on screenplays for masterpieces that remain in film history, such as "Kwaidan" (directed by Masaki Kobayashi, based on Lafcadio Hearn) and the Naruse-directed classic "Floating Clouds" (based on Fumiko Hayashi). Alongside these, she wrote robust, socially conscious dramas based on her own thorough research, such as "Tower of Lilies," "Kiku and Isamu," and "Grandmother," earning high praise not only for the films themselves but also for her approach to filmmaking.

How did these two female screenwriters, who lived through the same era, depict the turbulent post-war period? For this program, rather than focusing solely on their most famous works, we have selected many original screenplays rather than adaptations to allow audiences to experience their unique authorial voices.

We invite you to take this opportunity to enjoy the thrill of watching films through the lens of the screenwriter.

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《Special Screening》

Sumie Tanaka and Yoko Mizuki

──Behind Great Films Are Female Screenwriters

April 4 (Sat) – April 24 (Fri), 2026

Jimbocho Theater

(1-23 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo TEL. 03-5281-5132)

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Admission: General 1400 yen, Seniors 1200 yen, Students 1000 yen

*The theater will be closed on Tuesday, April 14th for equipment maintenance.

Jimbocho Theater Website

https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/jinbocho-theater/

Click here for the "Sumie Tanaka and Yoko Mizuki" special screening page:

https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/jinbocho-theater/features/2026-04-04_tanaka-mizuki.html