Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence

This event has been rescheduled and tickets are $5 for SFMOMA and SFFILM members.

“Commander Yonai (Ryuichi Sakamoto) runs his prison camp with well-heeled precision, keeping his hands soft by letting the brutish Hara (Takeshi Kitano, in his film debut) knock everyone into shape. The arrival of the regal Celliers (David Bowie), whose blond locks and chiseled cheekbones shine even when he’s in chains, gives Yonai a simmering new challenge, not only to his rule but to his sense of superiority, his national pride, and possibly something more. This erotic tropical opera finds Oshima mellowed, but still questioning nationalism and contemplating the subversive power of sexuality. ”
— Jason Sanders, BAMPFA

Film Details

Country: Japan
Languages: Japanese, English
Year: 1983
Running time: 123 min
Format: 35mm
Director: Nagisa Ôshima
Screenwriters: Nagisa Ôshima, Paul Mayersberg
Producer: Jeremy Thomas
Cinematographer: Tôichirô Narushima
Editor: Tomoyo Oshima
Source: Janus Films

Films and schedules may be subject to change.

Modern Cinema’s Founding Supporters are Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein. Generous support is provided by Nion T. McEvoy and the Susan Wildberg Morgenstein Fund.