Join us at AX Cinema Nights for the North American premiere of The House of the Lost on the Cape! In theaters on September 7th.
Come join us at AX Cinema Nights for the North American premiere of The House of the Lost on the Cape, an Official Selection at the 2022 Annecy International Film Festival which will have a red carpet opening night on September 7th. The film will initially open in Los Angeles and New York, then expand to several other markets in North America over the following weeks. Anime fans will be able to watch both versions of the film (original Japanese audio with English subtitles and original English audio) in participating theaters nationwide. We have many giveaways planned for opening night so don’t forget to invite your family and friends!
Tickets and locations will be available on the AX Cinema Nights website soon. For the latest updates, please visit us at www.ax-cinemanights.com
What is the film about?
Based on the award-winning Japanese novel Misaki no Mayoiga written by Sachiko Kashiwaba, who also wrote Kiri no Mukō no Fushigi na Machi, the inspiration behind Hayao Miyasaki’s Spirited Away (2001), the film adaptation is set in Iwate Prefecture after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami devastated the area. The story follows 17-year-old run-away Yui and 8-year-old orphan Hiyori, who are taken in by Kiwa, a strange old woman who offers to let them stay in an abandoned yet suspiciously well-kept house overlooking the sea, known as a Mayoiga: a legendary house said to look after lost travelers. Despite Yui’s hesitation to trust anyone and Hiyori’s inability to speak, they begin to form a sisterly bond that allows them to find comfort in the Mayoiga and embrace Kiwa’s hospitality. However, when a menacing entity is accidentally released and threatens their new home, the three must face their fears to save it.
Making his film directorial debut, The House of the Lost on the Cape was directed by Shinya Kawatsura (known for Non Non Biyori, Kokoro Connect, Sagrada Reset) and written by Reiko Yoshida (known for A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden, K-On!) which premiered in Japan August 27, 2021, as part of the “Zutto Ōen Project 2011 + 10” project in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The film was animated by David Production (Known for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series, Cells at Work!). Earlier this year, the film won Best Animation Film at the 76th Annual Mainichi Film Awards.
***SPOILER ALERT*** Here are some takeaways from the film:
The film offers a heartfelt perspective of the lives of the children and their families that were impacted by the natural disaster as they cope with fear, loss, and the unknown. As Yui and Hiyori attempt to find refuge at a local shelter, they’re taken in by their “grandmother” Kiwa who takes them to a magical house called Mayoiga, known in Japanese folklore as a well-kept yet abandoned home in the mountains that offers lost travelers a place to stay. While the girls are hesitant to embrace Kiwa’s hospitality, the Mayoiga comes to life which brings a fantastical element to the story that’s reminiscent of rural Japanese folklore that’s never been seen before in an anime film. Similar to Japanese calligraphy art, the magical house’s origin story is depicted in a calligraphy-like artform that you would traditionally find in Japanese school children’s books in the Tohoku region of Japan.
The story stretches the imagination of the characters when they’re introduced to these cute spirit-like creatures called “Fushigitto” which Kiwa refers to as “enigmas” who fear that the natural disaster is only the beginning of a series of unfortunate events caused by “Red-Eyes” – an evil entity who feeds off the anger, despair, and sadness of people. After finding comfort and safety in their new home, Yui and Hiyori come together to protect it by helping Kiwa banish the evil spirit and save humankind in the process. ***END OF SPOILER ALERT.***
What to expect at AX Cinema Nights?
Anime Expo® and Iconic Events Releasing launched AX Cinema Nights earlier this year with the U.S. release of Eleven Art’s Ryoma: Prince of Tennis (2022). AX Cinema Nights is an in-person movie event series that celebrates the best new and classic anime films brought to local theaters across North America. AX Cinema Nights will now give anime fans nationwide an opportunity to gather as a community at your local movie theater and share their love for anime films. If you’re interested in a group booking, please contact us at events@iconicreleasing.com
To learn more about AX Cinema Nights, don’t forget to follow us @IconicEventsNow to get the latest news and sign up for our newsletter at www.AX-CinemaNights.com
About Iconic Events Releasing:
Iconic Events Releasing is building a reputation for bringing unique LIVE and filmed entertainment to movie theaters as special limited engagement and longer-running events. Unique programming from Iconic Events has included live pay-per-view sports, eSports competitions, anime, music, faith-based films, award-winning television specials, Broadway productions, family events, rock concerts, and music docs. Iconic Events’ theater network represents the country’s preeminent cinemas offering enhanced guest experiences, high-quality food & beverage service, and reserved seating. The company has enjoyed significant successes with their fast-growing, and high-profile monthly UFC Pay-Per-View Championship Fights, and their wide releases of audience favorites; jeen-yuhs A Kanye Trilogy, Part 1, Bo Burnham: Inside, David Byrne’s American Utopia, the 25th Anniversary release of Selena, and the upcoming September 29th release of the controversial and passionate movement that inspired the Faith-Based feature; SUPERSPREADER: The Rise of #LetUsWorship. More information is available at www.iconicreleasing.com
About Anime Expo:
Anime Expo (AX®) brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Taking place every year since 1992, Anime Expo features the best in Japanese animation, popular art, entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. SPJA is the parent company that presents Anime Expo, and our theatrical series “AX Anime Expo Cinema Nights” is a sub-brand of Anime Expo. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org
About Eleven Arts:
Eleven Arts is a Los Angeles-based distribution company known for bringing high-quality Japanese animation to North America. Eleven Arts’ most recent titles include Takeshi Konomi’s Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis, Poupelle of Chimney Town, Gintama THE VERY FINAL, and SHIROBAKO The Movie. Eleven Arts’ catalog includes critically acclaimed titles such as A Silent Voice, Millennium Actress, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, Penguin Highway, and more. Website: www.elevenarts.net
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