I’VE HEARD THE AMMONITE MURMUR
(アンモナイトのささやきを聞いた)
Dir. Isao Yamada, 1992
Japan. 70 min.
In Japanese with English subtitles.
New Official English Translation
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 – 7:30 PM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 – MIDNIGHT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 – 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 – 7:30 PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 – 10 PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 – 5 PM
Even when I was in the flames, you were just looking at me. I didn’t mind that it was hot. I wanted you to reach out your hand. I wanted you to reach out your hand.
A brother travels north to visit his sister after she falls ill. On his journey, the past, present, and future interweave as the young man descends into a world of dreams and memories, mediated by the spiral shell of the ammonite.
The debut feature film by prolific experimental filmmaker Isao Yamada, I’VE HEARD THE AMMONITE MURMUR narratively recalls Kenji Miyazawa’s relationship with his sister Toshi and is marked by a similar poetic wistfulness and tranquility. Rarely screened since being selected for the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, Spectacle is honored to present the 30th anniversary restoration, officially translated into English for the first time, alongside a selection from Yamada’s vast catalog of short films.
Preceded by:
LYNX REEL
(ボエオティアの山猫)
Dir. Isao Yamada, 1987.
Japan. 15 min.
New Digitalization from 16mm Print
Special thanks to Eiichi Aso, Eurospace, Kao, Kougeisha, Yamavica Film, and YHI.