CULTJAPAN!

This selection of Japanese Romance movies draws from across the broad spectrum of the genre. Covering ligthearted comedy such as Shall We Dance and Love*Com, through the provocative subject matter of Shoujyo – An Adolescent to the tragedy of Double Suicide and Lost Paradise, there’s something here to satisfy all tastes.

A middle-aged workaholic’s incredibly dull life takes a funny turn when he signs up for a ballroom dance class – just to meet the sexy dance teacher. But when he finally muscles up the nerve for lessons he winds up with a different instructor and her colorfully eccentric class of beginners! And now he’ll have to step lightly – and do some fancy footwork – if he expects to keep his new secret passion from his family and friends!

Get Shall We Dance? on DVD

Based on Aya Nakahara’s bestselling comic, LOVE*COM THE MOVIE is a high-school romantic comedy centering on two students. Risa Koizumi is taller than the average girl, and the last thing she wants is the humiliation of standing next to Atsushi Ôtani, a shorter than average boy. Fate and the whole school have other ideas, and the two find themselves cast as the unwilling stars of a bizarre romantic comedy duo. But as their friendship develops, so do Risa’s feelings toward Otani.

Get Love*Com The Movie on DVD

Computer engineer Otaku (the Japanese term for “geek”) is an average young man, dressed in unstylish clothes and dorky glasses. But as luck would have it, he encounters a pretty young woman on a commuter train and saves her from a lecherous molester, falling in love with her at first sight. A few days later he receives a thank-you message from the woman along with a set of Hermes teacups. Having never had a girlfriend or received a gift from a girl in his life, Otaku seeks out his pals on his BBS website for advice using his codename Train_Man (Densha Otoko): “How should I ask her out?” Deeply interested in Train Man’s first love, his BBS pals eagerly supply him with advice. Encouraged by their support, Train_Man undergoes a total makeover for his first-ever date with “Hermess”. Little does he know that he is about to ignite an Internet phenomenon…

Get Train Man : Densha Otoko on DVD

This bright and twisted Japanese love story mixes tattoos, eroticism and comedy through the eyes of a 17-year old girl’s infatuation with the local policeman. The story follows Tomokawa, a notoriously lazy policeman who spends most of his time teasing his intellectually – challenged friend Sukemasa or having affairs with married women. One day while hanging out at a bar, he is approached by a enjo kosai named Yoko and soon a relationship of sorts forms. Yoko, it turns out, is Sukemasa’s sister; and both are the children of his old flame Yukie (Marie Natsuki), a grasping, self-centered woman. Tomokawa soon takes both teens under his wing, protecting them from their heartless mother, and their lecherous stepfather, but will the intense love of this middle-aged man and innocent girl be able to last in the face of social disapproval? Winner of Best Film and Actress awards at festivals ranging from Paris, Helsinki and Venice to Montreal and AFI.

Get Shoujyo – An Adolescent on DVD

This striking adaptation of a bunraku puppet play (featuring the music of famed composer Toru Takemitsu), a paper merchant sacrifices family, fortune, and ultimately life for his erotic obsession with a prostitute.

Get Double Suicide on DVD

From legendary filmmaker Shohei Imamura comes this comic fable for adults. A frustrated unemployed architect learns of a treasure hidden inside an old house near a red bridge in a remote fishing village. Upon arriving he encounters a beautiful young woman with an unusual condition who lives with her grandmother in the old house. The relationship that builds between them becomes both vital and volatile.

Get Warm Water Under a Red Bridge on DVD

Yakusho is the adulterous husband in this sad tale of forbidden passion. Depressed by his mid-life crisis he finds paradise with a much younger woman. When other find out his decision to have a quick resolution leads to tragic results.

Get Lost Paradise on DVD

Based on the bestselling manga by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to scrape by, barely earning enough money buy food and pay their rent. But as soon as an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result. Starring Yu Aoi (HULA GIRLS) and J-pop star Sho Sakurai. Directed by Masahiro Takada.

Get Honey & Clover on DVD