“Short Peace,” featuring works by four noted anime directors, is playing at the Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St. (between Second and Third streets) in downtown Los Angeles, through April 24.
In 1995, Katsuhiro Otomo’s epic anthology “Memories” showcased the work of upcoming superstars of the anime world. Now, Otomo’s spotlight shifts to a fresh generation of master creators with an all-new anthology of visionary films.
A lone traveler is confronted by unusual spirits in an abandoned shrine in the 2013 Oscar-nominated “Possessions” (Tsukumo), directed by Shuhei Morita (“Coicent,” “Kakurenbo”).
A mysterious white bear defends the royal family from the predations of a red demon in the brutal “Gambo,” directed by Hiroaki Ando (“Five Numbers!”) from Redline’s Katsuhito Ishii’s original story with character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (“Neon Genesis Evangelion”).
The focus shifts from supernatural to science fiction for the action-packed “A Farewell to Arms” (Buki yo Saraba), as “Mobile Suit Gundam” designer Hajime Katoki helms Otomo’s tour-de-force saga of men battling robotic tanks in apocalyptic Tokyo.
Grandmaster Otomo himself assumes the directorial reins for a spectacular tale of love, honor and firefighting in ancient Japan with the multi-award-winning “Combustible” (Hi-no-Youjin).
Screenings:
Friday, April 18, at 2:30, 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 19, at 5:20 and 6:45 p.m.
Sunday, April 20, at 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Monday, April 21, at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23, at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, call the theater at (213) 617-1033, email info@downtownindependent.com or visit www.downtownindependent.com.
Visit the film’s website at http://shortpeace-movie.com.