Japan Society and Escape From Tribeca, the Tribeca Festival’s official psychotronic sidebar, are pleased to present a special 55th anniversary screening of the 1968 Toho tokusatsu classic Destroy All Monsters. One of the Showa era’s biggest Godzilla spectacles, director Ishiro Honda, special effects supervisor Eiji Tsuburaya (Ultraman), and composer Akira Ifukube send kaiju across the earth for innovative action and destruction spanning Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, Moscow, and New York. Featuring an all-star cast including Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, Anguirus, Varan, Baradon, and King Ghidorah—Japan Society and Tribeca are bringing the best of Japan’s monsters to NYC!
We are pleased to share that this screening is almost sold out with under 50 tickets left. In addition, we are thrilled to announce that the evening now includes special events both before and after the special anniversary screening.
In the lobby, audiences will be able to see a unique vintage kaiju toy display from Seismic Toys. Rare Japanese Godzilla toys will be showcased, and audience members will have a chance to purchase select objects from Seismic’s collection.
In addition, a kaiju art print display from Robo7 will be on view. Robo7 is an artist focused on creating art celebrating kaiju and tokusatsu heroes and villains, and he has appeared at comic conventions and popular culture festivals across the U.S. He will be displaying and selling many of his popular prints.
Select signed books will be available from Kevin Derendorf, author of Kaiju for Hipsters, a book that explores 101 Japanese giant monster films obscure in the U.S. but deserving more recognition.
On stage before the film, introductions from Jonathan Penner and Matt Barone with Escape from Tribeca and Kevin Derendorf will be offered. Kaiju trivia and prizes to follow.
After the screening, we will host a reception featuring sake generously donated by Brooklyn Kura, New York City’s first sake brewery.
Destroy All Monsters
『怪獣総進撃 』
Dir. Ishiro Honda, 1968, 86 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Akira Kubo, Jun Tazaki, Yukiko Kobayashi.
Screening is followed by a reception.
Escape From Tribeca is dedicated to movies that make audiences stomp their feet and shout out loud. Presenting the most fun horror, action, and fantasy films from around the globe, with giveaways, guests, and contests that turn their screenings into one-of-a-kind events unavailable anywhere else. Sure to please even the rowdiest movie lovers, Escape from Tribeca celebrates the joys of the communal filmgoing experience.
Japan Society will host Destroy All Monsters at 7 pm on Friday, June 16. Tickets are now available at japansociety.org/film. This screening will take place inside Japan Society’s landmarked headquarters at 333 East 47th Street, one block from the United Nations. Press wanting to attend should contact Allison Rodman (arodman@japansociety.org) or Kazuho Yamamoto (KazuhoYamamoto@japansociety.org). Limited press seating is available.
About Japan Society Film
Spurred on by the success of the 1970 Donald Richie-curated MoMA retrospective The Japanese Film: 1896-1969, Japan Society committed to making film one of its key programs in the early seventies—quickly becoming the premier venue for the exhibition of new Japanese cinema as well as career-spanning retrospectives on seminal directors and actors. In 1979, Japan Society established the Japan Film Center, formalizing film as a full-fledged, year-round program aimed at cultivating a deep appreciation and understanding of Japanese film culture among American audiences. Over the years, Japan Society Film has hosted numerous high-profile premieres and programs that include visits from Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune, Hideko Takamine, and Nobuhiko Obayashi. In 2007, Japan Society Film launched JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, the largest festival of its kind in North America.
About Japan Society
Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and society with audiences in New York and around the world. At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna (絆)–forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S. We strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan. From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. Our future can only be enhanced by learning from our peers and engaging with our audiences, both near and far.
Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and endowment support from the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, David Toberisky, Akiko Koide and Shohei Koide, Geoff and Fumi Matters, Laurel Gonsalves, and David S. Howe. Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the exclusive Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film.
