Saturday, December 2, 7:45 p.m. | In this captivating, skewed World War II drama, David Bowie regally embodies Celliers, a British officer interned by the Japanese as a POW. In his feature film acting debut, composer Ryuichi Sakamoto plays the camp commander, obsessed with the mysterious blond major, while Tom Conti is the British lieutenant colonel Lawrence, who tries to bridge the emotional and language divides between captor and prisoner. Also featuring actor-director Takeshi Kitano in his first dramatic role, MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE is a multilayered, brutal, at times erotic tale of culture clash, and one of Ôshima’s greatest successes, set to Sakamoto’s hypnotic score. (Janus Films)

Awards & Nominations

Winner - Best Score, BAFTA 
Nominee - Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival

The Sounds of Ryuichi Sakamoto Series: When acclaimed Japanese composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away earlier this year, audiences–and the film industry–lost a legend. The pioneering Academy Award winner was praised for his inventive, idiosyncratic style and his avant-guard sensibilities, Sakamoto’s scores are introspective, sweeping, and have influenced contemporary musicians the world over. View full series. 

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu