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Takahata's 'Only Yesterday' Opens in North America February 26th

February 22, 2016 , ,
The wait is nearly over, as audiences in the United States and Canada will finally get the chance to see Isao Takahata's Only Yesterday. Thanks to the fine folks at GKIDS they will also get the chance to see it as it was meant to be seen- on the big screen, starting this week. It arrives with a newly recorded dub produced in association with Ghibli International and featuring Daisy Ridley, fresh from her breakout role in a little film called Star Wars Episode VII.

The film follows 27 year old Tokyoite Taeko who reminiscences about her childhood in the 60s as she journeys to visit her relatives in the countryside. The synopsis might give you a clue to why Disney never chose to release this back in the day- maybe they thought western audiences wouldn't accept a straight-up animated drama


Takahata's film was originally released in Japan way back in 1991. It was previously released on DVD in the UK and Australia- so why has it taken 25 years to make it Stateside? It seems that in the wake of Miyazaki's retirement from features and the success of The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya, Takahata finally seems to be getting the recognition he deserves from Western animation lovers. And about time too!

Following an exclusive run in New York's IFC Center in January, the film will expand to more markets starting February 26th. Stay tuned for AFA's official review!

Is it playing near you? Check out the list of confirmed venues below.


February 26
Los Angeles, CA - Landmark Nuart Theater
Irvine, CA - Regal Theaters TBD
San Francisco, CA - Landmark Theatres 
Berkeley, CA - Landmark Theatres
Washington DC - Landmark E Street Cinema
San Diego, CA - Landmark Theatres
Denver, CO - Landmark Theatres
Portland, OR - Regal Fox Tower
Philadelphia, PA - Landmark Ritz at the Bourse
Charlotte, NC - Regal Ballantyne Theater
Toronto, ON - TIFF Bell Lightbox
Columbus, OH - Gateway Film Center (2/26 only)
Seattle, WA - SIFF Uptown Cinema
Buffalo, NY - North Park Theatre (2/27-28) 
Honolulu, HI - Consolidated Kahala 8
San Antonio, TX - Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes (2/29 only)
Winchester, VA - Alamo Drafthouse Winchester (3/2)

March 4
Salt Lake City, UT - Broadway Centre Cinemas
San Francisco, CA - Landmark Theatres
Berkeley, CA - Landmark Theatres
Akron, OH - Nightlight Cinema
Victoria, BC - The Vic Theatre
Saskatoon, SK - The Roxy
Littleton, CO - Alamo Drafthouse Littleton (3/7) 
Palo Alto, CA - Landmark Theatres
San Jose, CA - Camera 3 Cinemas
Houston, TX - Landmark River Oaks
Providence, RI - Cable Car Cinema (3/5)

March 11
Littleton, CO - Alamo Drafthouse (3/7)
Minneapolis, MN - Landmark Theatres
Atlanta, GA - Landmark Midtown Art
Tempe, AZ - Harkins Valley Art
Waterloo, ON - Princess Cinema
Ithaca, NY - Cornell Cinema (3/12-13)
Montreal, QC - Cinéma du Parc
Vancouver, BC - Vancity Theatre (3/14)
Notre Dame, IN - DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (3/13-16)
Knoxville, TN - Regal Downtown West
Albuquerque, NM - United Artists High Ridge 8
Grand Rapids, MI - Celebration Cinemas Woodland
Santa Cruz, CA - The Nick
Chicago, IL - Music Box Theatre
Santa Rosa, CA - Summerfield Cinemas
St. Louis, MO - Landmark Tivoli Theatre

March 18
Vancouver, WA - Kiggins Theatre
Iowa City, IA - FilmScene
Lambertsville, NJ - ACME Screening Room (3/18-3/20)
Santa Fe, NM - CCA Cinematheque
Pittsburgh, PA - Row House
Tuscon, AZ - The Loft Cinema
Lancaster, PA - Zoetropolis
Salem, MA - CinemaSalem
Camas, WA - Liberty Theatre
Olympia, WA - Capitol Theater (3/19)
Jefferson City, MO - Capitol City Cinema
Oklahoma City, OK - Oklahoma City Museum of Art

March 25
Winston-Salem, NC - Aperture Cinema (3/26-27)
Edmonton, AB - Metro Cinema

April 1
Gainesville, FL - The Hippodrome

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