Concrete Playground

As kimono clad onlookers a few floors above traipse around the Hymn to Beauty: The Art of Utamaro exhibition ogling delicate ukiyo-e woodblock prints, rest your weary geta clogs in the downstairs theatrette. Hymn to Beauty focuses on the "floating world" captured in Utamaro's work, glimpsing into the luxurious new pleasure culture of early seventeenth–century Japan.

All films are free(!), and screen on Wednesday afternoons, nights and Sunday afternoons. Tickets are released outside the theatrette an hour before each session starts.

Sharaku Dir. Masahiro Shinoda (1995)
Wednesday 3rd March 2pm & 7:15pm, Sunday 7th March 2pm
Fictional biography of famous Japanese woodblock artist and Kabuki performer Shakaru.

Zatôichi Dir. Takeshi Kitano (2003)
Wednesday 10th March 2pm & 7:15pm, Sunday 14th March 2pm
Meet a Japanese Edo-period superhero: blind gambler/masseuse (seventeenth century 'slashie'?) by day, master swordsman at night.

The Life of Oharu Dir. Kenji Mizoguchi (1952)
Wednesday 17th March 2pm & 7:15pm, Sunday 21st March 2pm
The tragic tale of a lady-in-waiting forced by society into a life of concubinage.

Empire of Passion Dir. Nagisa Oshima (1978)
Wednesday 24th March 2pm & 7:15pm, Sunday 28th March 2pm
Revenge, eroticism and supernatural visions in feudal Japan. Winner of Best Director at Cannes.

Utamaro and His Five Women Dir. Kenji Mizoguchi (1946)
Wednesday 31st March 2pm & 7:15pm, Sunday 4th April 2pm
A study of printmaker Utamaro and his five muses; as much their story as his.

Kwaidan Dir. Masaki Kobayashi (1964)
Wednesday 7th April 2pm & 6pm, Sunday 11th April 2pm
The Edo period Candyman, of sorts. Four stories based on a samurai class parlour game designed to summon spirits.

Twilight Samurai Dir. Yôji Yamada (2002)
Wednesday 14th April 2pm & 7:15pm, Sunday 18th April 2pm
The first in Yamada's trilogy, this is about samurais and not vampires. A tale of wealth, honour and courage. I repeat, not vampires.