Each month, Flavia Dzodan selects a rare double feature of fun and outrageously entertaining movies. This month, in honor of Halloween, she's chosen two kaiju classics you don't want to miss...

Pulgasari @ 7:30 pm
 
The only North Korean kaiju film in existence (at least that we know of) is much more than just a monster film in the Japanese tradition. The making of Pulgasari is also the tale of South Korean film director Shin Sang-ok, deeply admired by Kim Jong-il who kidnapped him to bring “the glory of kaiju film making to North Korea”. Shin’s purpose was to make films that would highlight the importance of North Korea. In reality, he ended up producing propaganda and low budget pamphlet films. Pulgasari, however, deviates from the usual low budget fare in that it did get a significant allocation of state funds and ended up being a more than decent kaiju movie with above average special effects. That is, of course, no coincidence since they were supervised by Teruyoshi Nakano who was in charge of the special effects of at least a dozen Godzilla films, including legendary ones such as Mothra vs. Godzilla. The urban legend states that the director, traumatised by his kidnapping by the dictator included a “hidden message” in the film which was supposed to be seen as a metaphor of Kim Il-sung betraying the ideals of the North Korean revolution by turning the country into a cult of the leader’s personality. 
 
Directed by Shin Sang-ok, 1985, North Korea, 95 min. 
 
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster @ 9:30 pm
 
Here's a classic Japanese kaiju film featuring Godzilla and produced by the legendary Toho Films. It's the first film to feature the "kaiju holy trinity" of Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra who, in spite of their usual "disagreements" partner to fight the menace of a 3 headed monster coming from outer space: King Ghidora! The special effects were the work of *the* Master of the genre: Eiji Tsuburaya. Tsuburaya can be considered the godfather of the Japanese kaiju/ fantasy genre, having shaped hundreds of films as head of Toho's Visual Effects Department and cinematographer. His influence did not end in cinema though, as he also created Ultraman, which paved the way for live action fantasy TV the world over. In this film, Tsuburaya "redesigned" a Japanese legend of an 8 headed dragon into the 3 headed kaiju (three heads were more "budget friendly" after all) and brought back the aesthetics of Mothra which had already proved a success among the public in previous films. The film has been called "atrocious" and "strictly for the comic book set" by respected film critics. It is also one of the best exponents of a genre that has captivated children and adults for generations. A film to laugh at but also to cherish for its innocence.
 
Directed by Ishirô Honda, 1964, Japan, 85 min. 
 
Bar opens at 7. Admission is free, but we love donations.