A Sang-il Lee Film Retrospective and Master Class
Event description
- Arts and entertainment
- Free
- Open to the public
From independent filmmaker to Japan's biggest box office phenomenon!
Join The Sidney Poitier New American Film School for screenings of the films "Hula Girls" (2006) and "Blue—Chong" (1999), and the Japanese Film Festival Arizona for a screening of “Kokuho” (2025), by director Sang-il Lee, one of the most acclaimed and commercially successful filmmakers working in Japanese cinema today. Lee will then join The Poitier Film School for an exclusive live master class. This series is generously co-sponsored by the ASU Asia Center.
Joining remotely from Tokyo, Lee will reflect on his remarkable artistic journey, from his award-winning independent beginnings to becoming one of Japan's most acclaimed mainstream filmmakers. Renowned for his deeply humanistic storytelling, Lee has created some of the most influential and beloved films in Japanese cinema over the past two decades. He will discuss the creative process behind his latest film, “Kokuho,” and share insights into the making of this cinematic achievement. The film has been highly praised for its extraordinary performances, breathtaking stage sequences, and profound emotional depth in a stirring tribute to Japan's traditional performing arts. “Kokuho” became the highest-grossing live-action film in Japanese box-office history. The film was selected as Japan's submission for the Academy Awards' Best International Feature category and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
"Hula Girls," "Blue—Chong" and "Kokuho" are three landmark films that trace Lee's artistic evolution. These screenings offer a rare opportunity to witness the development of one of contemporary cinema's most distinctive voices.
Visit jffarizona.org for more information about the fourth annual Japanese Film Festival Arizona, taking place September 18-19 at the ASU MIX Center in downtown Mesa.
- Sept. 10. "Hula Girls." RSVP here.
- Sept. 15. "Blue—Chong." RSVP here.
- Sept. 19. "Kokuho." Purchase tickets here.
- Sept. 22. Master class with director Sang-il Lee. RSVP here.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
"Blue—Chong" screening at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
"Kokuho" screening at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Master class with director Sang-il Lee at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
All events take place at the ASU MIX Center in downtown Mesa and require advance RSVP. Only "Kokuho" requires a purchased ticket through the Japanese Film Festival Arizona; the other events are free and open to the public.