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Japanuary:

The Eel

うなぎ

Dir. Shōhei Imamura, 1997, Japan, Japanese with English subtitles, 134 mins, Cert: 18

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Tue 20 January 2026 // 19:30

Tickets: £5

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Japanuary is back! We're serving up New Year helping of Japanese cinematic treats, from a golden age classic to a 90s Palme d'Or winner, via a brilliant kaiju movie and a stunning samurai film. Get tickets to all the films here

 

 

Kōji Yakusho (The Cure, Perfect Days) stars in legendary director Shohei Imamura's late-career masterpiece, which won Imamura his second Palme d'Or. 

After serving time in prison for murdering his unfaithful wife, Yamashita (Koji Yakusho, Perfect DaysCure) is released on parole, accompanied only by his pet eel. Hoping to stay out of trouble, he takes over a rural barber shop that quickly becomes a gathering point for the eccentric locals. However, the discovery of a woman’s failed suicide starts a chain reaction that brings back past demons - and not just his own...

Mixing deadpan humour with sudden eruptions of violence and even moments of tenderness, the fittingly slippery The Eel is a brilliant capper to Imamura's career and a chance to see one of Japan's greatest actors in his 90s peak. 

Doors open 30 minutes before advertised start time. All film screenings are ad-free and 18+ unless otherwise stated, and start with no more than a 10 min selection of trailers. 

The Cube is a membership venue, please remember to bring your card. You can join on the door for £1.