Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2026 Saturday 28th March
AKUTSU Minoru (KOBAYASHI Kaoru present self, TOZUKA Junki past self), serving a life sentence, awaits a lonely death in his prison cell. The only real sign of life in the cell is a potted balsam flower — hosenka in Japanese. One night, Minoru begins sharing his life story with the flower that, improbably, talks back — prompting him to reflect on the meaning of life.
The summer of 1987. Minoru, a low-ranking yakuza member, lives with single mother NAGATA Nana (MIYAZAKI Yoshiko present self, MITSUSHIMA Hikari past self) and her son Kensuke (HANAE Natsuki). Despite being shy about expressing his feelings, Minoru loves them with all his heart.
However, when Minoru suddenly faces a desperate situation and needs a large sum of money, he teams up with TSUTSUMI (YASUMOTO Hiroki), a senior gangster, to steal 300 million yen from their gang’s safe. Caught in a web of misplaced loyalty and friendship, Minoru finds himself manipulated but still clings to the hope of one last secret comeback from his troubled life.
The Last Blossomホウセンカ (Hosenka)Directed by KINOSHITA Baku2025, 90 min.Starring: KOBAYASHI Kaoru, TOZUKA Junki, MITSUSHIMA Hikari, MIYAZAKI Yoshiko
Knowing Me, Knowing YouThe True Self in Japanese Cinema6 February – 31 March 2026The UK’s largest festival of Japanese cinema, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (JFTFP), is back again. This is the place where cinema comes alive!
01539 725133
- Tickets can be collected 30 minutes before performance
- Photo ID required for ticket collection
- Uncollected tickets held until 15 minutes before show time
- Limited on-site parking available
- Public car parks within 5-minute walking distance
- Some street parking on Highgate
- Disabled parking spaces near main entrance
- Wheelchair accessible venue
- Designated wheelchair spaces in main auditorium
- Companion seats available
- Step-free access to ground floor areas
- No food or drinks in performance spaces
- Mobile phones must be switched off
- Photography/recording prohibited during performances
- Smart casual attire recommended
- Child-friendly performances clearly marked
- Age recommendations provided for each show
- Under-16s must be accompanied by adult
- Babes in arms not permitted for most adult performances
