Akira Kurosawa's highly acclaimed film, set in feudal Japan, presents an intriguing tale of violent crime in the woods...

A landmark of international cinema, RASHOMON won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1951, bringing both Kurosawa--and Japanese film in general--to the attention of Western audiences.

From the rain-soaked opening sequence to its moving conclusion, the film is a stunning examination of truth and human nature.

The entire cast is pitch-perfect, with regular Kurosawa lead actors Mifune and Shimura giving typically outstanding performances.

While critics and cinephiles debate over exactly how many masterpieces Kurosawa directed, RASHOMON stands as one of the revered filmmaker's indisputably brilliant motion pictures.

Rotten Tomatoes (rating: 100%)

Director François Truffaut's first feature film, THE 400 BLOWS, is a landmark in French cinema.

A truly impressive film, THE 400 BLOWS is raw, honest, and intensely emotional.

Few films have captured the difficulties of childhood as well as this acclaimed French masterpiece.

Essentially the start of the French New Wave movement, THE 400 BLOWS is also the beginning of Truffaut's Antoine Doinel cycle, which follows Léaud as Antoine in five additional films over the course of 20 years.

Rotten Tomatoes (rating: 100%)

• 6 PM: Backyard Social, eat and drink
  
• 7:15 PM: Rashomon, eat and drink
  
• 9:15 PM: The 400 Blows, eat and drink
  
• 11:30 PM: Socialize, eat and drink
  

See the About Page for full details.

A photo is required when you RSVP. The organizer team is instructed to immediately remove any RSVP without a picture so that someone else can attend.

• Bring $10 or more in food and/or drink (preferred! see below for suggestions) and pay $5 at door, or
  
• Pay $15 at the door (if you are running late)
  

Food suggestions (note, there will be NO grilling this time around):

• From local delis (or homemade): sandwiches, shrimp platters, casseroles, cold cuts, etc.
  
• Salads: pasta, mixed greens, macaroni, etc.
  
• Desserts: cakes, pies, pastries, chocolates, cookies, etc.
  
• Cheeses, olives, fruit trays, veggie trays, hummus
  

Beverage suggestions:

• Beer, wine, sangria, liquor, mixers
  
• Soft drinks, water
  

We use all funds to order a selection of entrees that will be set out and ready when the party starts. See the About Page page for directions to the event location and to local grocery and wine stores. Ice, cups, plates, utensils, and condiments will be provided.

The location is a garden apartment - there is outdoor seating for socializing (if warm enough) and a medium-large room inside where we screen the movies.

The movies are shown indoors on a 58" Panasonic 1080P HDTV accompanied by a 5-speaker Orb Audio sound system. We keep the viewing room dark and the movies loud.