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Patlabor The Movie (PG) + Introduction

Anime's Human Machines

Patlabor

Based on a successful franchise (high concept: city cops with robots instead of patrol cars), this movie takes the team and their machines into darker territory as technology and mysticism collide.

Set in a recognisable Tokyo just a little in the future, the city is depicted as a huge redevelopment site, with whole suburbs being revamped and man-made islands dotting Tokyo Bay as part of the Babylon Project. Robots known as labors make construction faster and less dangerous, and have moved into many areas of life. So Tokyo needs robot-assisted cops to police robot-assisted crime.

One man-made island, the Ark, is the nerve centre for the whole Babylon Project, manufacturing and controlling all its robots. But a rogue programmer obsessed with Biblical imagery and a technology problem that can be triggered by wind resonance around high-rise buildings combine to create a threat to the whole city - with a massive typhoon approaching Tokyo.

Japan 1989 Dir Mamoru Oshii 99 min

Screening in Japanese with English subtitles

Sasakawa Foundation
The Japan Foundation logo - a purple butterfly
Japan-UK Season of Culture
anime of cityscape containing shop signs in chinese characters

Watch: human shape and cityscape in Anime

 

Luís Azevedo (aka Beyond the Frame) looks at the way anime presents and builds cities on screen.

Photo of Barbican Cinema red seats

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Barbican Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.