DIRECTOR: Jim Jarmusch  
PRODUCERS: Richard Guay, Jim Jarmusch
PRODUCTION CO: Pandora Film
SCREENPLAY: Jim Jarmusch
PHOTOGRAPHY: Robby Müller
EDITOR: Jay Rabinowitz
MUSIC: RZA
WITH: Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog), John Tormey (Louie), Cliff Gorman (Sonny Valerio), Henry Silva (Ray Vargo), Tricia Vessey (Louise Vargo), Isaach De Bankolé (Raymond)

REVIEW

“Jim Jarmusch combines his love for the ice-cool crime dramas of Jean-Pierre Melville and Seijun Suzuki with the philosophical dimensions of samurai mythology for an eccentrically postmodern take on the hit-man thriller. In one of his defining roles, Forest Whitaker brings a commanding serenity to his portrayal of a Zen contract killer working for a bumbling mob outfit, a modern man who adheres steadfastly to the ideals of the Japanese warrior code even as chaos and violence spiral around him. Featuring moody cinematography by the great Robby Müller, a mesmerizing score by the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, and a host of colorful character actors (including a memorably stone-faced Henry Silva), Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai plays like a pop-culture-sampling cinematic mixtape built around a one-of-a-kind tragic hero.”

– Janus Films

“Ghost Dog is underpinned by Jarmusch’s familiar blend of warmth and cool-eyed distance, a mix as disarming as it is eccentric. It allows Jarmusch to poke gentle fun at his characters (and much of Ghost Dog is very funny) while simultaneously regarding them with a genuine affection. In this he is helped by some fine performances most notably from Henry Silva’s gimlet-eyed Mob boss and Forest Whitaker’s stoic, soulful hitman with a heart — stereotypes but likeable ones, with just enough kinks to keep them interesting… This is a picture by turns amusing and melancholic, sweet-centered and dark-edged.”

– Xan Brooks, Sight & Sound

FILM SOCIETY SCREENINGS

​Nelson  
Wednesday, 12 March, 6.00pm 

​Auckland  
Monday, 24 March, 6.15pm

Timaru     
Tuesday, 01 April, 6.30pm

Wellington     
Monday, 14 April, 6.15pm

Wellington     
Monday, 14 April, 8.30pm

​​​​Canterbury
Monday, 05 May, 7.00pm

​​​​Queenstown
Tuesday, 17 June, 8.00pm

Dunedin     
Wednesday, 30 July, 7.30pm

​​​New Plymouth
​Wednesday, 13 August, 6.00pm

Bigger Picture Ōamaru
​Thursday, 11 September, 7.00pm

Palmerston North
​Wednesday, 15 October, 6.00pm

​Whanganui    
Monday, 03 November, 7.00pm

Hamilton     
Monday, 24 November, 6.30pm
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