For the first episode of AD's Movie Club, Justin will be discussing Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 2008 Film Tokyo Sonata with three of his close friends.

First, we are joined by photographer and podcast host, Yoshino. Yoshino uses his photography to draw out deep lingering emotions while seeking to unveil a psychological truth embedded within all of us. He attempts to create a dichotomy and a confluence between his observations, molding them together between varying ideas and disparate elements. With these images, he invites the viewer to enter his world and to give space for the contemplation of their own personal framework and reality. Yoshino is also the host of the Artist Decoded podcast. Amirtha Kidambi is a composer, performer, and professor currently living in New York City. Kidambi earned an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University, an M.M. in Voice and Musicology at CUNY Brooklyn College, and a B.A. in Voice from Loyola Marymount University. She currently serves on the faculty for the New School, teaching music history courses and heading a large-scale curriculum development project. She has also served on the faculty at Brooklyn College. Ru Storey (They/Them)is a Los Angeles-based queer skater, graphic designer, and editor. Ru and Justin are currently working on a short film to be premiered this summer. Justin Daashuur Hopkins is an internationally exhibited artist and award-winning director. Show Notes:

• 00:01:47 - Tokyo Sonata's plot
• 00:04:39 - First reactions/thoughts on the patriarchy
• 00:09:03 - The historical context of duty and shame
• 00:14:00 - Structural issues of society and power dynamics
• 00:24:00 - Questioning your reality and moving towards self-actualization
• 00:35:38 - Reflections on the conversation
• 00:39:04 - Elements of a sonata
• 00:50:12 - Relinquishing of authoritarian control
• 01:00:58 - Wrap up

www.artistdecoded.com

www.mubi.com/artistdecoded