Hokusai Documentary to Be Screened in Long Beach

LONG BEACH — “British Museum Presents: Hokusai” will be shown on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m. at Art Theatre Long Beach, 2025 E. 4th St. in Long Beach.

This is a groundbreaking documentary and exclusive private view of the major British Museum exhibition “Hokusai: Beyond the Great Wave.” Filmed in Japan, the U.S. and the U.K., the film focuses on Hokusai’s work, life and times in the great, bustling metropolis of Edo, modern Tokyo.

Introduced by arts presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon, and featuring artists David Hockney, Grayson Perry and Maggi Hambling, this is the first U.K. biography of Japan’s greatest artist. Using extraordinary close-ups and pioneering 8K Ultra HD video technology, Hokusai’s paintings and prints are examined by world experts who are at the forefront of digital art history.

Hokusai spent his life studying and celebrating our common humanity as well as deeply exploring the natural and spiritual worlds, using the famous volcano Mount Fuji as a protective presence and potential source of immortality. He knew much tragedy, was struck by lightning and lived for years in poverty, but never gave up his constant striving for perfection in his art. Hokusai is an artist who influenced Monet, Van Gogh and other Impressionists, is the father of manga and the only painter with his own emoji.

Coming attractions: “A Silent Voice,” directed by Naoko Yamada, will be shown on Friday, Nov. 24, at 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25-26, at 11 a.m. The animated feature follows the poignant and moving story of Shoya Ishida, a school bully, and Shoko Nishimiya, a young girl with a hearing disability. Their story begins in sixth grade when Shoko transfers to Shoya’s elementary school and quickly finds herself bullied and isolated due to her hearing disability. Years later, the tables turn, and Shoya finds himself the victim. “A Silent Voice” depicts the struggles and challenges of adolescence alongside coming of age outside the norm.

For more information, call (562) 438-5435 or visit www.arttheatrelongbeach.com.