Stream J-horror and anime with BFI’s new streaming service ’cause why not?

By: 5 years ago

Whether you’re a weab or just a fan of Japanese cinema, this new streaming site is made for your quarantined self.

British Film Institute (BFI) Japan is launching a special six-month season including the best of Japanese cinema. This includes your samurai Akira Kurasawa films, your Studio Ghibli and many more. Supposedly, this screening will be held throughout the United Kingdom. But this is impossible at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will instead run through BFI’s online player. Each month, new film collections will be added on the streaming service. May is dedicated to one of Japan’s most renowned filmmakers Akira Kurosawa, as well as other Japanese classics. June will touch on independence and Yasujirō Ozu’s works, while July is all about cult cinema (shoutout to “Love Exposure” fans) and Studio Ghibli.

As for other months, October is a highlight for anyone thirsty for J-horror. BFI will stream Hideo Nakata’s “Ring,” Kinji Fukasaku’s “Battle Royale” and Takashi Miike’s zombie musical (yeah, you read that right) “The Happiness of the Katakuris.” Great news for us quarantined otakus and horror heads.

All of this will be available on BFI’s streaming service. Sadly chief, this one ain’t for free. Their service has a 14-day free trial that comes with a free collection of early Japanese cinema.

So, if you got the dough and have nothing better to do, this is your chance. Click here to figure out how to subscribe to BFI Japan.