JAPANEMA Online

Words Can’t Go There
 (89mins, 2019)
In Japanese with English subtitles
Directed by David Neptune

Screening: Saturday, June 12, 7PM – Sunday, June 13, 7PM(PDT)
Click Here to Watch (accessible during screening period only)

*Pre-screening Online Mini Talk & Live: Saturday, June 12 @6PM(PDT)
Click Here to Register

 

This film is a feature-length documentary exploring the story of California surfer turned Japanese shakuhachi flute master John ‘Kaizan’ Neptune. Directed by John’s son David Neptune and produced by his team of filmmakers in Los Angeles, the film examines what it takes to cross cultural borders and become a master of this traditional art form. John has innovated on the shakuhachi’s design and developed new sounds never heard before with the instrument. His efforts have been praised by most but criticized by some. John has lived in Japan for over 40 years, focusing single-mindedly on the shakuhachi to further delve into the infinite possibilities of sound. But what are the sacrifices involved with becoming a true master?

 

This story told from David’s perspective will take audiences on an unforgettable journey through personal discoveries, humorous interludes and musical epiphanies.

 

>>Click HERE to watch trailer.

 

Pre-screening Online Mini Talk & Live

Japanese “shakuhachi” flute master and subject of a documentary, John Kaizan Neptune will be performing live online from Japan. Join him on a journey through his career and story as a surfer, musician, composer, instrument maker and subject of a documentary, “Words Can’t Go There” directed by his son, David. David will talk about behind the scene of his film.

 

  David Neptune:

He is a documentary filmmaker and musician living in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Japan, he comes from a background in Japanese music thanks to playing percussion in concerts with his musician father John Kaizan Neptune. He moved to the US in 2000 and later started directing new media videos like What Kind of Asian Are You? with 10 million views on YouTube and But We’re Speaking Japanese with 40 million views on facebook. He transitioned into making documentary films and in 2019 completed his first documentary feature film Words Can’t Go There about his father and his life of music. It premiered at Warsaw International Film Festival and went on to play at Hawaii International Film Festival.  

 

 

 

This screening is partnershipped with Filmination which is a Japanese trading company specialized in selling Japanese movies to global VODs.