Arts Culture & Entertainment November 16, 2015 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Japanese films featured at Portland’s Northwest Film Center The Northwest Film Center is again featuring its Japanese Currents film series, which showcases a collection of Japanese cinema from December 4 to 13. Teaming up with the Japan-America Soci- ety of Oregon, the Japan Foundation of Los Angeles, Sapporo USA, the Consular Office of Japan in Portland, the Portland- Sapporo Sister City Association, and Lane Powell PC, the film center is screening recent Nipponese films, which range from anime to jidaigeki and documentary to comedy. Featured works include: Round Trip Heart December 4, 7:00pm In Round Trip Heart, a film by director Yuki Tanada, an unassuming, hardwork- ing attendant on a luxury tourist train crosses paths with a snaky film producer who tries to steal items from her concession cart. The simple act propels the two on a wayward journey of personal exploration and reflection. (2015, 97 mins.) Sapporo Shorts December 5, 2:00pm The 2015 Sapporo Shorts program celebrates Portland’s sister-city relation- ship with Sapporo, Japan. The short films were selected from this year’s Sapporo International Short Film Festival. New shorts include A Warm Spell, The Apology, Joseito, Sociopath, Savage Night, and others. (107 mins.) Neko Samurai 2: A Tropical Adventure December 5, 4:30pm Director Takeshi Watanabe’s Neko Samurai 2: A Tropical Adventure features the beloved cat/samurai duo from Samurai Cat in an adventure that finds heroes Tamanojo and Madarame marooned on the remote island of Shikokou after Madarame ventures out in search of work. (2015, 85 mins.) I Alone December 5, 7:00pm I Alone, a comedy by director Sho Tsukikawa, pits a mild-mannered corpo- rate lackey and a teenage wannabe gang- ster in a fierce battle against the yakuza Sun-Ju Ahn wins playoff in LPGA Tour’s Toto Japan Continued from page 9 “I haven’t thought much about that yet,” Ahn said. “I’m just going to enjoy this win and this moment.” Ahn jumped from 29th to 22nd in the world ranking. She also won the Japanese tour’s Century 21 Ladies in July, and had seven career Korea LPGA victories. The 37-year-old Stanford won the last of her five LPGA Tour titles in 2012. She dropped to 1-4 in playoffs, including a loss in the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open. She played the first two Asian Swing events in Malaysia and South Korea, then skipped the stops in Taiwan and China. “When I left Korea I was pretty upset because I played bad in Malaysia and Korea,” Stanford said. “I went home, put my head down, and wanted to get better. I’m happy with this week.” South Korea’s Jenny Shin, the second- round leader, had a 70 to finish a stroke back. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn closed with a 64 — the best round of the week — to finish fifth at 14 under. She began the day tied for 29th. Third-ranked Stacy Lewis and No. 4 Lexi Thompson topped the group at 12 under. Lewis shot a 68, and Thompson had a 69. Thompson won in October in South Korea for her second victory of the year. Michelle Wie tied for 59th at 2 under after a 71. She was one of 21 women to play in all five events on the Asian Swing. underworld and the corrupt mayor of their city. A decidedly cute kidnapped baby is at the center of the action, which revolves around the mismatched pair’s attempts to keep the child free from harm while trying to thwart the mayor’s nefarious redevelop- ment plans. (2015, 109 mins.) Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory December 6, 4:30pm Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory, an odd and eccentric film by director Lisa Takeba, centers on lonely 20-something Haruko, who talks incessantly to her television, but is more than a bit surprised when one day it sprouts a face, a body, and emotions. Interesting events occur when Haruko’s new TV-man “boyfriend” becomes famous and adored by women across Japan. (2015, 76 mins.) Ecotherapy Getaway Holiday December 6, 7:00pm Shuichi Okita’s Ecotherapy Getaway Holiday follows the story of seven women of varying ages and backgrounds who take a chartered trip to a remote waterfall. When the group’s tour guide goes missing, the women’s patience — with each other, their situations at home, and the environ- ment — is tested. (2014, 88 mins.) Sanchu Uprising: Voices at Dawn December 10, 7:00pm Juichiro Yamasaki’s inventive take on the jidaigeki (historical drama) focuses on a group of rural farmers treated poorly by tax authorities in the 18th-century JAPANESE CURRENTS. Director Lisa Takeba’s odd and eccentric Haruko’s Paranormal Laboratory screens December 6 as part of the Northwest Film Center’s Japanese Currents film series. (Photo cour- tesy of the Northwest Film Center) Okayama town of Sanchu. On the verge of starvation, the farmers protest both the rising tax rate and the lack of access to the crops they grow — until samurai are dispatched to keep them under control. (2015, 117 mins.) Ow December 11, 8:00pm Yohei Suzuki’s Ow tells the story of a journalist who investigates the reason why people have become transfixed by a mysterious, black, moon-like orb. (2014, 89 mins.) When Marnie was There December 12, 2:00pm In Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s When Marnie was There, a shy and withdrawn schoolgirl is sent to a seaside resort by her foster parents to live with her aunt and uncle. Upon arrival, she happens upon a seemingly abandoned house and meets a young girl, Marnie, who says she lives there. The two become friends, but is Marnie a real girl or just a figment of the schoolgirl’s imagination? (2014, 103 mins.) Wonderful World End December 12, 4:30pm Daigo Matsui’s Wonderful World End is a freewheeling peek into the world of teen fascination with fame and identity. The film incorporates live videofeed-style footage, text message overlays, and more than its fair share of onscreen emoji. (2015, 84 mins.) Nuclear Nation II December 13, 4:30pm Atsushi Funahashi’s Nuclear Nation II provides a sober look at the lingering reali- ties of thousands of people displaced from their homes and the radioactivity still spreading throughout Fukushima prefec- ture and beyond following the 2011 Fuku- shima nuclear disaster. (2015, 114 mins.) All films are screened at the Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium, lo- cated at 1219 S.W. Park Avenue. To learn more, call (503) 221-1156 or visit . How to identify a possible gas leak. If you smell ROTTEN EGGS it could be a gas leak. And the best thing to do is leave your home and call NW Natural. We’ll be out to make sure everything is safe. Unsure of what to do? Just take a look at our tips to the right. Smell. Go. Let Us Know. 800-882-3377 If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur odor, you hear a blowing or hissing sound, or you see blowing dirt, it could be a gas leak. What to do. Leave your home and the area immediately. Don’t use any electrical device such as a light switch, telephone, appliance or garage door opener. And don’t try to fi nd the leak yourself. Who to call. Go outside and use your cell phone, or a neighbor’s phone, and call NW Natural at 800-882-3377.