Ninjas Converge on Old School Kung Fu Fest in NYC

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Friday, 27 March 2015 16:35

Written by Renzo Adler & Brad Balfour

Silent, deadly, and sometimes delightfully campy, the ninja became ingrained in the world’s subconscious during the 1980’s when Japan was enjoying unprecedented economic prosperity. But the ninjas have their film roots in Japanese cinema dating back to the 1960’s, and now that rich heritage of highly choreographed bloodshed is being celebrated. Presented by Subway Cinema (they of the New York Asian Film Fest) and the Anthology Film Archives (32 2nd Ave, New York, NY), The Old School Kung Fu Fest ‘15: Enter the Ninjas (April 16 - 19, 2015) brings cinematic ninja escapades from the ‘60s to the '90s to NYC.

Since it’s initial incarnation in the early ‘00s, the OSKFF has brought some truly odd and unique cinematic gems, and this year’s entry is no exception. Films include hairspray infused Western fare such as American Ninja and American Ninja 2: The Confrontation. Shaw Brothers give their unique kung fu spin on ninjas with Five Element Ninjas. From Japan comes Samurai Spy, directed by Masahiro Shinoda (Double Suicide), taking a noir twist to an ancient story of betrayal and intrigue in old Edo. The 1963 rarity from Toei, Seventeen Ninja, is so hard to come by, that it’s special screening will feature live subtitles, since an official subtitle print was never created. And while we’re celebrating all things ninja, there will be a screening of the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in all it’s rubber-suited glory.

On Sunday April 19 is the Super Special Secret Screening of a film so secret, *we* don’t even know what it is. We only know that it was a 1970s grindhouse favorite distributed by Roger Corman, the patron saint of schlock. The screening will include special ninja themed prizes and announcements about the lineup for this year’s New York Asian Film Fest.

To learn more, and a complete line up of films, go to: http://www.subwaycinema.com/oldschool15/ or www.anthologyfilmarchives.org

The Old School Kung Fu Fest 2015: Enter the Ninjas!
April 16 - 19, 2015

Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10003

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