Presented by the Consulate General of Japan and Pacific Film ArchiveCosponsored by National Asian American Telecommunications Association (NAATA), PULP magazine, Japan Society of Northern California, and Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC).Berlin and Locarno, Rotterdam and Toronto: In recent years new Japanese films have been the talk of all the major film festivals, yet surprisingly few ever make it to the cinephile-filled Bay Area. This month we invite you to enjoy the West Coast premieres of works that reflect the chaos and calm of contemporary Japan as only the post- "bubble" generation can portray it. Crafted outside of the control of major studios, these films illuminate a Japan for which history and tradition have become exotic, experienced only as material for new stories. Genre-savvy and cinematically sophisticated, five directors with distinctly different sensibilities reveal a love of image and sound that brings together a world of cultural influences. On October 21 we welcome director Akihiko Shiota with two films that have made the "Best Five" lists of Japan's most respected film critics. Shiota's talent for suggesting the complexity of human character and experience transforms his tales of youthful misadventure.A program guide will be available at the screenings, with an introductory essay by Aaron Gerow, Associate Professor at Yokohama National University, who has published widely on Japanese cinema and popular culture.Advance tickets are recommended (510-642-5249).We wish to thank Izumi Evers, Alvin Lu, PULP magazine; Corey Oser, Chris Sigur, Japan Society of Northern California; Libby Wolfensperger, JETAANC; Tetsuki Ijichi, Tidepoint Pictures; Naoko Watanabe, Shoji Yoshida, The Japan Foundation; Chizuru Watanabe, Office Shirous; Kenzo Horikoshi, Euro Space; Richard Jeffery, Sedic International; Aki Mihara, Pia Corporation; Yuji Sadai, Bitters End; Doug Jones, San Francisco Film Society; Taro Goto; Frako Loden; Patrick Macias; Jason Sanders, and Chuck Stephens.Programmed by Steve Goldman, Manami Kano, Brian Lau, and Mona Nagai.A panel discussion featuring Akihiko Shiota, director of Sasayaki (a.k.a. Moonlight Whispers) and Don't Look Back, will be held Thursday, October 19 at the Japan Information Center, 50 Fremont Street, Suite 2200, San Francisco. Registration is at 5:30 p.m., program at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Advance registration is recommended. Please respond to the Japan Society by phone (415-986-4383), fax (415-986-5772), or e-mail jsnc@us-japan.org.Saturday October 7, 2000