jz

I've seen 2 independent movies set in Tokyo in the past week, without leaving campus or paying a dime. How? The USC School of Cinematic Arts' Outside the Box Office Series!

Every Wednesday night, since the beginning of this semester, the cinema school (with which I have an affair) has been pre-screening upcoming foreign, independent, and documentary films at its new George Lucas Building (which apparently was designed by Lucas himself). The place is quite breathtaking...pretty pretentious, but still breathtaking. I can make fun of the fake windows all I want, but come on, 8 screening rooms? That is just awesome.

And the best part is, all the screenings in the OBO Series are FREE for USC students, alumni, faculty, staff, and guests. Last Wednesday, I saw Tokyo!, and last night I watched Tokyo Sonata for a special Tuesday screening (it was followed by a cool translated Q&A with acclaimed director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who was in LA for only 2 days). Both films were incredible...unsurprisingly so, since both won awards at the Cannes Film Festival. I highly recommend them.

Ahhhh, watching a good film in a theater is such a great way to celebrate the end of the day's classes before walking home and starting on homework. I'm looking forward to Adventureland next.