Ainu Mosir: Film Screening & Director Talk

Ainu Mosir: Film Screening & Director Talk

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

7:30 - 9:30 PM EDT

Hosted in person at:

About the Event:

As part of JSB's 2025 Hokkaido Fair, we will be screening the 2020 Japanese film Ainu Mosir. Directed by Takeshi Fukunaga, it tells the story of an Ainu teenager who looks for a spiritual connection with his recently deceased father while struggling with his Indigenous identity in a changing world. It is a beautiful coming-of-age film that also gives a glimpse into the lives of the indigenous Ainu people in modern Japan. 

Ainu Mosir is highly acclaimed by critics and won best International Feature at the Guanajuato International Film Festival, and was a Special Jury Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival. It was filmed on location in various parts of Hokkaido, the birthplace of the director. 

Following the film screening, we are honored to have director Takeshi Fukunaga join us virtually on Zoom for a brief talk and Q&A, where the audience will be able to ask about the making of the film. 

Ainu Mosir's runtime is 84 minutes. Watch the trailer here.

Screening will be in Japanese language with English subtitles. 

This event is made possible thanks to a grant from the Toshiba International Foundation. 

We cannot guarantee refunds for tickets purchased, however please let us know if you are unable to make the screening by emailing joanneha@japansocietyboston.org.

About the Director:

(Photo credit: Dick Thomas Johnson)

Takeshi Fukunaga is a filmmaker born in Hokkaido, Japan. His first feature film, “Out of My Hand” (2015), premiered in Panorama at Berlin International Film Festival, won Best US Fiction Award at LA Film Festival and was nominated for John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award. His second feature film, “Ainu Mosir” (2020) won Special Jury Mention in International Narrative Competition at Tribeca Film Festival and Best Film at Guanajuato International Film Festival. His third feature film, “Mountain Woman” (2022), premiered in Main Competition at Tokyo International Film Festival, and was screened at festivals such as Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and Hong Kong International Film Festival. His first documentary film, “Ainu Puri” (2024) premiered in Wide Angle Documentary Competition at Busan International Film Festival. Most recently, he directed a second season block of “Tokyo Vice” (HBO Max), and an episode of “Shōgun” (FX) which won Outstanding Directing Award at Gold List, a record 18 Emmy Awards for its first season and 4 Golden Globe Awards.

Takeshi Fukunaga Website

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