The first film in a series of Japanese films will play at Pruis Hall this Saturday at 7 p.m.
The film, "One Million Yen Girl," is open to students, faculty and staff, and all residents of Muncie with free admission.
"One Million Yen Girl" is about a young woman released from prison who is forced to deal with family and social conflicts. In response, she decides to save up one million yen in order to move to a place where no one knows her.
Guohe Zheng, professor of Japanese, is hosting the film series and encourages students to attend to get a broader perspective.
"These films provide us with the index of the landscape for the Japanese young people," he said.
Zheng said that these films aren't just for the students that are majoring in Japanese, who are required to attend.
"Ball State students, regardless of major can benefit and relate to these films," he said.
One film, called "Yunagi City, Sakura Country," is one example Zheng gave. The film is about survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing and their struggles in everyday life. Zheng compared the struggles with the 9/11 survivors and how they are still struggling.
Zheng said Ball State is one of only six schools in the United States that was selected to show these films.
Philip Yadon, senior Japanese and telecommunications major, believes students should take advantage of this chance.
"I think it's a unique opportunity," he said. "Not many people get to experience this. Anybody who's interested in experiencing something from another culture should go."
All four films in the series, which premiered in Japan between 2001 and 2008, are sponsored by the Japan Foundation, a Japanese governmental agency attempting to promote cultural exchange between Japan and the rest of the world.
The other two films are "Kamikaze Girls" and "Harmful Insect."
Tony Perrin, junior Japanese major, doesn't expect a large crowd, but encourages people in the area to make the trip.
"East Central Indiana is not the most culturally diverse of environments," Perrin said. "It's necessary to be exposed to different viewpoints and cultures, so as not to become caught in a tiny web of similar ideas."
Perrin also explained that film is an affective way of expressing ideas.
"Film has a very unique way of demonstrating the cultural identity of filmmakers," he said. "While stories are often similar all over the world, the way in which they are told may vary drastically, depending on the director's background."
Perrin said it was a rare treat to enjoy a non-Hollywood movie on the big screen.
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