PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
“Suna no Tou (Tower of Sand),” premiers Monday, Feb. 5 at 7:35 p.m.
Aki Takano is a homemaker who had built an ordinary yet amply content family life. When she and her family move into a luxurious, high-rise condo with all the latest security advancements, Aki anticipates the start of the kind of family life of which dreams are made. Until, that is, she meets her creepy and scary neighbors. Behind the walls of this ivory tower, life is a social ecosystem dictated by strict rules and decorum of vainglorious housewife residents. The housewives’ behavior easily becomes sinister, as Aki begins to discover in unexpected ways. Someone is trying to tear her life and family apart. Will she be able to stand up and defend her beloved family? Is there another reason why the neighbors are targeting the Takano family? Fully subtitled.
“Nippon wa Sukidakedo (I Like Japan, But…),” Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7:35 p.m.
In recent years, a lare number of non-Japanese are employed at facilities for the elderly. However, many certified care workers choose to leave Japan. Why does this happen? At Tenjinso, a special nursing home for the elderly, 20% of its workers are Indonesian. As we interact with one student from Indonesia, we look for the answer.
NGN 3 MOVIE CHANNEL (Spectrum Digital Ch. 679/HD 1679)
Premiere titles air on Friday. “Movie of the Month” premieres on the first Saturday. Movies are shown at various times. Check your digital on-screen guide for movie schedules, using either the GUIDE or INFO buttons (up to one week ahead). Or call NGN, Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 538-1966 for inquiries or to request an e-mail of NGN 3 programming information. All movies are in Japanese language with full English subtitles.
Movie of the Month
“Chokosoku! Sankin Kotai Returns (Samurai Hustle Returns!),” 2016 jidaigeki, 2 hours.
Directed by Katsuhide Motoki. Starring Kuranosuke Sasaki and Kyoko Fukada.
In the Edo period, there was a system called “Sankin-Kotai” under which feudal lords in the Edo period were required to spend every other year in residence in Edo. Masaatsu Naito, who is head of a small and poor clan, is ordered to come to Edo in just four days with his staff. However, his mission has not been completed yet since some opposing leaders are planning another conspiracy to his clan. Now he has to return to his clan as soon as possible in order to save his castle, which was over taken by another clan.
Movies in Alphabetical order
“36.8°C (Slight Fever),” 2017 drama, 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Directed by Mana Yasuda. Starring Mayu Hotta and Haruna Kishimoto.
Wakana is a 17-year-old high school student who loves to cook. She enjoys peaceful days with her family and friends, but sometimes she senses delicate changes among people around her. Wakana meets office worker Mizuho through social media where she can talk about her worries, but Mizuho turns out to be a person Wakana never expected to be.
“Abare Kaido (Turbulent Highways),” 1959 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Directed by Shigehiro Ozawa. Starring Utaemon Ichikawa and Kotaro Satomi.
Danjuro, a popular kabuki actor from a yakuza family battles evil.
“Beranme Geisha Makaritoru (The Prickly Mouthed Geisha Part 4),” 1961 drama, 1 hour and 17 minutes.
Directed by Eiichi Koishi. Starring Hibari Misora and Ken Takakura.
A comedy of a high-spirited geisha, Koharu, who is at risk of being trapped in a conspiracy to take over a lucrative diamond mine business.
“Gokudo Senso Butoha (Yakuza Warfare),” 1991 action film, 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Directed by Sadao Nakajima. Starring Kiichi Nakai and Sonny Chiba.
Two young yakuza make names for themselves in a large gang war
“Hanagasa Wakashuu (A Martial Crowd),” 1958 samurai film, 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Sasaki. Starring Hibari Misora, Denjiro Okouchi and Hashizo Okawa.
As a result of a superstitious belief that twins bring bad luck to the family, newborn twin princesses are separated. Yukihime, having been sent away to be raised by a yakuza family in Edo, returns home after many years to settle an old score.
“Himitsu (The Top Secret: Murder in Mind),” 2016 drama, 2 hours and 29 minutes.
Directed by Keishi Ohtomo. Starring Toma Ikuta and Masaki Okada.
