Shōgun: A Director’s Perspective | Episode 8 “The Abyss of Life”

Spotlight on Japanese Cinema

July 14, 2024

► All of the tickets have been claimed for this free screening. A standby line will be available for guests who arrive without tickets.

The MFAH presents A Director’s Perspective with Houston filmmaker Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour and a screening of Episode 8, “The Abyss of Life,” from the acclaimed 2024 TV series Shōgun. Osei-Kuffour introduces the episode he directed and participates in a Q&A afterward.

Shōgun Episode 8 “The Abyss of Life” 
After his son’s tragic death, Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) travels home to mourn. The army of Toranaga’s charismatic half-brother, Saeki, follows close behind, surrounding the city of Edo to ensure Toranaga’s surrender. During this journey, Mariko (Anna Sawai) informs a frustrated Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) that he has been released from Toranaga’s service.

Admission is free with your ticket.

About the Speaker
A Ghanaian-American writer/director born and raised in Houston, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr. spent almost a decade working in Japan. He made his feature debut writing and directing Black Box for Blumhouse and Amazon as part of the Welcome to the Blumhouse collection. The sci-fi thriller was a New York Times Critic’s Pick and is rated “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. Osei-Kuffour’s other credits include The Midnight Club, The Recruit, and Star Trek Discovery.


Underwriting for the Film Department is provided by Tenaris, The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation, and the Vaughn Foundation.

Generous funding is provided by The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; Nina and Michael Zilkha; Lois Chiles; Foundation for Independent Media Arts; Franci Neely; Carrin Patman and Jim Derrick; Ms. Laurence Unger; L'Alliance Française de Houston; and ILEX Foundation.

Community Partners: Japan-America Society of Houston and Ghanaian Urban Movement.

Shōgun: A Director’s Perspective | Episode 8 “The Abyss of Life”

Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr.
(USA, 2024, 60 minutes, in Japanese and English with English subtitles)
Brown Auditorium Theater, digital

Location

Caroline Wiess Law Building
1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
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