When I was a student and worked part-time in Ginza, I often wore silver bras. ``Many of the people walking around this town were adults, and it made my spine grow taller. I felt like I had become an adult even buying a piece of anpan from Kimuraya.''

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2019.11.21

What the movies I saw at Cine Switch Ginza taught me about loving life

When I was a student and working part-time in Higashi Ginza, I often wore silver bras. ``Many of the people walking around this town were adults, and it made my spine grow taller. I felt like I had become an adult even buying a piece of anpan from Kimuraya.''

Mai Takewaki is a popular illustrator for her fashion illustrations and cute cat drawings. She still retains the image of a pretty young lady with a deep window, but in the process of becoming an independent and truly strong woman, she also encountered movies. Watching her movies at her Ginza movie theater has nourished her soul and nourished her sensibilities, and has also made her and her work shine.


Mr. Takewaki lives with his beloved cat and spends his days busy preparing for his solo exhibition and doing illustration work. Because she takes care of her cat and works diligently, she doesn't have time to go out and wear a silver bra. But when you think of Ginza, you think of movie theaters. I often go to Cine Switch Ginza, located in the middle of Ginza, and have fond memories of watching many unforgettable movies there.

Right at Ginza 4-chome, at the entrance of Cine Switch Ginza. Holding a beautiful bag that has been passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter. Right at Ginza 4-chome, at the entrance of Cine Switch Ginza. Holding a beautiful bag that has been passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter.

Right at Ginza 4-chome, at the entrance of Cine Switch Ginza. Holding a beautiful bag that has been passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter.

Guided by my mentor at art school,
wake up to a movie

I attended a private school from a young age and entered the Faculty of Law at university. He enjoyed studying law, especially civil law. However, she decided not to get a job, saying, ``I like being at home. I want to do work that I do at home.'' Instead, she enrolled in the Setsu Mode Seminar at an art school. He attended the school for several years while working part-time, and made his debut as an illustrator while still enrolled there. ``Until then, people thought I was a bit strange, but when I went to the theater, everyone was so unique.I felt better, realizing that I was just normal.'' What was always posted on the school's bulletin board were movie reviews by Setsu Nagasawa, the founder and principal of Setsu Mode Seminar, and also a film critic. ``Priscilla'' was highly praised when she first saw it. ``When I was a student, my parents' policy prohibited me from going to the movie theater alone. After reading this movie review, I thought, ``I have to go there!'' The screening theater was Cine Switch Ginza.


Priscilla (1994) is a road movie about a trio of drag queens traveling by bus through the Australian desert. "The characters all struggle with the hardships of life, but through various encounters and experiences, things become a little looser, and they return to their homes.After watching the movie, I was so moved that I couldn't get up from my seat right away. There were many people around me like that, and I was moved by the kindness and empathy that surrounded the small movie theater.''

The underground theater ``Cine Switch 1'' has a spacious seating capacity of 271. It is also popular because it has roof balcony type seats on the second floor. The underground theater ``Cine Switch 1'' has a spacious seating capacity of 271. It is also popular because it has roof balcony type seats on the second floor.

The underground theater ``Cine Switch 1'' has a spacious seating capacity of 271. It is also popular because it has roof balcony type seats on the second floor.

Relieve the stress of your heart,
Fascinated by that kind of movie

Since then, I have been going to this movie theater for nearly 20 years and have seen countless movies, from ``Basquiat'' to ``Every Day is a Good Day.'' He likes both Western and Japanese movies. The appeal of movies at mini-theaters is that you can watch films from various countries that are simple but gently touch your heart. My heart flutters at the humor, kindness, and sometimes spitefulness of people in an unknown place, as well as their little phrases and emotional expressions. The small items placed casually were also fascinating, and I began to wonder what kind of person would pick up such small details, and even started to remember the director's name.

Before and after the screening, take a break in the lobby with classic wooden chairs. Before and after the screening, take a break in the lobby with classic wooden chairs.

Before and after the screening, take a break in the lobby with classic wooden chairs.

It's fun to look at the displays about the films being screened, full of love for movies. It's fun to look at the displays about the films being screened, full of love for movies.

It's fun to look at the displays about the films being screened, full of love for movies.


If there was no cat...
I love you so much that I can't even think of the words

I grew up in a large house with a large garden where both wild birds and stray cats could visit. Everyone in my family loves animals and has owned both dogs and cats. Mr. Takewaki is such a cat lover that he can't help but worry about what stray cats are doing on rainy days. In 2012, he was in charge of the illustrations for a picture book about the mysterious, heartwarming, and miraculous true stories of cats and people that he published as a volunteer in an effort to reduce the number of unhappy dogs and cats. The title is ``Let's wake up together tomorrow too'' because we want to be together forever. These were the words Takewaki's mother spoke to him every night before he went to sleep. She said, ``With this book, my childhood dream of becoming a picture book author came true.I'm happy, but I'm also a little surprised at my own stubbornness.''

The movie loosens my heart. Mai Takewaki's paintings brighten and soften the hearts of those who see them. Her father is actor Muga Takewaki. I remember that in her later years, she was more pleased with Mai's success than anyone else. The movie loosens my heart. Mai Takewaki's paintings brighten and soften the hearts of those who see them. Her father is actor Muga Takewaki. I remember that in her later years, she was more pleased with Mai's success than anyone else.

The movie loosens my heart. Mai Takewaki's paintings brighten and soften the hearts of those who see them. Her father is actor Muga Takewaki. I remember that in her later years, she was more pleased with Mai's success than anyone else.

Because there is a lot of dark news,
The colors of the picture are bright and fun

Mai's father is actor Muga Takewaki. Her late father was extremely talented and popular, and was extremely busy with film and television work, so there were times when she was unable to see him when she was young. She says the movie has become a father figure for her, showing her different things and making her feel like she has "forgiven" her. Her father was also a good painter. ``I hope that with my paintings, people can take a break from their daily lives, take a breather, or smile.That's why my paintings are detailed, and each time I look at them, I discover something, and each time I tell a different story. I'm trying to make people think of it.The world is full of gloomy news these days, which is frustrating.That's why I use bright and fun colors.From now on, when something vaguely in my head takes shape, I'll use it. I want to take it step by step so that I can definitely catch the tail.”

 

After watching a movie, I stopped by a record store to look for the soundtrack or browsed through an art gallery while soaking up the afterglow. Fulfilling her dream and chasing her tail that appeared and disappeared, Takewaki became one of the wonderful adults walking around Ginza.

 

Takewaki Mai Takewaki Mai
Born in Tokyo. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University Faculty of Law, attended Setsu Mode Seminar. He started working as a freelance illustrator while still in school. She is widely active in illustrations and writings for books, magazines, advertisements, etc. His books include the picture book ``Let's leave it together tomorrow too - The story of a big abandoned cat'' (written by Ken Anazawa, designed by Yutaro Oka, published by Soshisha), and ``The Great Adventure of Cats and the Sun: Coloring Book Friends of Myaotopia''. (Cosmic Publishing) etc.

Mai Takewaki official website
http://www.takewaki.info/
Official Account
https://www.instagram.com/mai_takewaki_illustration/

◆ “CASSY” is a brand that proposes cashmere knitwear made from the finest ultra-fine hair that is simple and comfortable to the touch, and that can be worn for a long time, based on the concept of “cashmere on bare skin.” Starting in December, Mai Takewaki and her adorable gift collection ``CASSY gift'' will be on sale on the ``CASSY'' official website.
https://cassycashmere.com/fs/cassy/c/

◆Every February, in commemoration of Cat Day (February 2nd), a solo exhibition of cat paintings is held at Shinjuku Isetan main store "Art & Frame". Autograph sessions are also being held.
Venue: Shinjuku Isetan Main Building 6F Art & Frame
Date: February 2020th (Wednesday) – February 2th (Tuesday), 12
Autograph session: Saturday, February 2020, 2 and Sunday, February 22, 23, both days from 14:00 to 16:00

 

 

Cine Switch Ginza
A movie theater that screens a large number of high-quality movies from around the world and is supported by a wide range of generations. ``New Cinema Paradise,'' which ranked first in mini-theater box office results, also became a hot topic. Its predecessor was the Ginza Cultural Theater, affectionately known as "Ginbun" since the 1s. Reopened in 30 as "Cine Switch Ginza 1997 and XNUMX". Screenings are switched between Western and Japanese movies.

my little funeral my little funeral

◆``My Little Funeral'' will be screened from December 12th (Friday).

Elena is 73 years old and a former teacher. One day, as she lives out the rest of her fulfilling life in a small village in Russia, she is suddenly told that she does not have much time left to live. She works alone in the city. She prepares for the funeral by herself so as not to disturb her son, but in the final chapter, something unexpected happens. Her humorous and loving ode to life has won numerous awards in Russia. Director: Vladimir Kot Cast: Marina Neyorova 2017/Russia/100 minutes Released nationwide at Cine Switch Ginza and other locations from December 12th (Friday)
(C) ≪KinoKlaster≫

Bō Building, 4-4-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
There are two theaters, and both seats are reserved. Tickets can be purchased online. *Ladies' Day every Friday *Movie Service Day on the 1st of every month *50 discount for married couples (available to both opposite sex, same sex, and LGBT) *Various discounts including discounts for people with disabilities.
03-3561-0707
http://www.cineswitch.com/index.htm

Photography by Yuji Hori
Text by Misuzu Yamagishi

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