Six Feature Films Based on the Hit Manga to Play in a Week-Long Festival Beginning July 3 Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com Special Thanks to Erik Jansen VIZ Cinema and NEW PEOPLE are proud to present, in association with Bandai Entertainment and Manga Entertainment, "Sci-fi Anime Madness Volume 2: GHOST IN THE SHELL Marathon" with a very special series of feature film screenings taking place July 3rd – 8th at the theatre located in San Francisco’s Japantown. The creation of veteran anime writer/director/producer Mamoru Oshii, GHOST IN THE SHELL and its subsequent sequels thrilled audiences and inspired a generation of filmmakers to became one of the most revered anime franchises of all times. GHOST IN THE SHELL is based on a popular manga series created by Shirow Masamune and was turned into a feature film in 1995 that went on to become an international smash hit. It was followed by a theatrical film sequel in 2004, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE, which was also directed by Mamoru Oshii. The VIZ Cinema marathon will also screen three feature-length film re-cuts including THE LAUGHING MAN, that features a separate, self-contained storyline based on the STAND ALONE COMPLEX anime TV series, produced in 2005, as well as INDIVIDUAL ELEVEN and SOLID STATE SOCIETY, two features based on the second season of the anime television series that was produced in 2006. Tickets, screening times and more details are available at vizcinema.com. GHOST IN THE SHELL (Original Version ) Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 1995, 85min., Digital, English Subtitles In 2029 A female government cyber agent and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of “The Puppet Master,” a computer virus capable of invading cybernetic brains and altering its victims’ memories. This is the acclaimed sci-fi action masterpiece that proclaimed a new era of anime and helped to define the cyber-punk genre. Saturday, 7/3 @1:40 pm & Monday, 7/5 @5:00 pm GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 (CGI Version ) Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 2008, 85min., Digital, English Subtitles This is not a sequel, but rather a new, visually enhanced version of the classic original movie. Saturday, 7/3 @5:35 pm & Monday, 7/5 @7:00 pm GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 2004, 100min., Digital, English Subtitles The gripping sequel to the original classic GHOST IN THE SHELL film. Saturday, 7/3 @3:30 pm & 7:00 pm GHOST IN THE SHELL STAND ALONE COMPLEX: THE LAUGHING MAN Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, 2005, 106 min., Digital, English Subtitles The feature film adaptation of the STAND ALONE COMPLEX series, re-cut to tell the story of a police battle with an evil computer hacker. Sunday, 7/4 @1:45 pm & Tuesday, 7/6 @4:30 & 7:00 pm GHOST IN THE SHELL STAND ALONE COMPLEX: INDIVIDUAL ELEVEN Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, 2006, 161 min., Digital, English Subtitles A feature-length OAV feature with a new self-contained story, adapted from STAND ALONE COMPLEX: SECOND GIG, the second season of the GHOST IN THE SHELL broadcast series. Sunday, 7/4 @3:50 pm & Wednesday, 7/7 @4:00 & 7:00 pm GHOST IN THE SHELL STAND ALONE COMPLEX: SOLID STATE SOCIETY Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, 2006, 108 min., Digital, English Subtitles A film adaptation of the popular STAND ALONE COMPLEX: SECOND GIG animated TV series. Sunday, 7/4 @7:00 pm & Thursday, 7/8 @4:30 & 7:00 pm

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About NEW PEOPLE

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at NewPeopleWorld.com.

About VIZ Cinema

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system.