About this Event
Join us for the first UK screening of The Lit-up Calm, a documentary directed by Arima Hisashi that follows a community in Ishikawa Prefecture affected by successive earthquakes. The film offers a moving portrait of the city of Suzu on the Noto Peninsula, capturing the resilience of its residents and their determination to continue long-cherished local festivals in the face of repeated loss.
On 5 May 2023, the Noto Earthquake struck the region with a magnitude of 6.5. As the city of Suzu began the long process of recovery, local residents worked to keep their much-loved festivals alive. Less than a year later, on 1 January 2024, the city was struck again by a second major earthquake of magnitude 7.6. Despite the scale of destruction caused by these back-to-back disasters, the people of Suzu remained determined to rise again.
The screening is accompanied by a video message from director Arima Hisashi, recorded especially for Japan House London, along with a short live introduction by Dr Kitagawa Kaori, Associate Professor in Education at the UCL Institute of Education and a specialist in disaster and climate education, providing contextual background to the film.
The screening is in Japanese with English subtitles. Duration: approx. 87 mins
Content advice: This documentary includes scenes of earthquake damage and audible distress, which some viewers may find upsetting.
*Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please or contact a member of the team on site.
Guests attending the screening may also be interested in visiting Japan House London’s display of Wajima urushi lacquerware from Ishikawa Prefecture on the Gound Floor, which highlights the craftsmanship of this centuries-old tradition with reference to the impact of the 2024 Noto Earthquake.
About the speakers
Arima Hisashi
Born in 1987 in Chiba Prefecture, Arima Hisashi began producing video works after entering Tama Art University in 2011. While documenting Suzu’s recovery following the May 2023 earthquake, he was himself affected by the Noto Earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024. After revising his plans, he continued filming and completed The Lit-up Calm in 2024. Working primarily with the moving image, Arima’s practice spans a wide range of media and methods, including music composition and painting
Kitagawa Kaori
Kitagawa Kaori is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at the UCL Institute of Education. She researches and advocates for disaster and climate education (DCE), which encompasses diverse forms of learning that prepare people for potential disasters. Her work focuses particularly on community‑based approaches and community–school collaboration in DCE and she has conducted empirical studies in communities and published widely in high‑profile journals across disaster and education research.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Japan House London, Kensington High Street, London, United Kingdom
USD 0.00
