Miss Hokusai (2015)

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Tokyo, 1814. Versatile and stubborn visual artist Tetsuzo tirelessly works in in the garbage-loaded chaos of his house-atelier, assisted by his equally talented 23-year-old daughter O-Ei. She contributes significantly to his fame, but remains uncredited. The film sketches a lively portrayal of a free-spirited, utterly outspoken and hugely talented woman and artist, unfolding through the changing seasons: ‘We’re father and daughter; with two brushes and four chopsticks, we’ll get by anywhere.’ Tetsuzo became best known by one of his many names: Katsushika Hokusai. He would inspire many artists, including Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, Claude Debussy, Charles Baudelaire and Rainer Maria Rilke. His iconic wood cut The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1832) is still often on view in major exhibitions and popular in marketing campaigns and merchandizing. 

Adapted from the graphic novel Sarusuberi by Hinako Sugiura, Miss Hokusai is a unique portrait of one of the most unique artists of Japanese art history, but also a plea to reassess the role that many unknown female artists have played in popularizing the work of their male counterparts.

Melkweg often hosts different types of programmes at the same time, such as concerts, club nights and films. Please note that there may occasionally be some noise pollution from other programmes during the screening.