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The Red Spectacles

(Mamoru Oshii, 1987) 

Introduced by Ei Toshinari, Small Sensations!

New Restoration

A figure in a black armored suit looks into the camera with bright red eyes.
Feb 26, 2026 7:00 PM
Film/Video Theater

$8 members
$12 general public
$9 adults 55 and over
$6 students

Prices include all fees; fees waived for members and in-person purchases.

For ticketing questions please call the Visitor Desk at (614) 292-3535.

A limited number of listening devices are available upon request.

If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation to participate in this event, please email accessibility@wexarts.org or call (614) 688-3890. Visit our Accessibility page to learn more.

Become a Member

This Japanese sci-fi neo noir is the first live-action film by the acclaimed anime director of Ghost in the Shell (1995).

The Red Spectacles is a dystopian futuristic comedy, equal parts Godard’s Alphaville and Chris Marker’s La Jetee. The first film in Oshii’s Kerberos Saga, the film follows Todome (Shigeru Chiba), a former police detective who flees Tokyo after his elite police unit is shut down due to its fanatical approach to crime fighting. After three years on the run, Todome returns to Tokyo—unrecognizable due to decay and neglect—hoping to reunite with the two trusted colleagues he had to leave behind. In Japanese with English subtitles. (116 mins., 4K DCP)

Ei Toshinari is the founder of Small Sensations!, a distributor drawn to cinema that lives in the quiet corners.

See the entire Cinema Revival lineup.

IMAGE CAPTION
The Red Spectacles, courtesy of Small Sensations!.

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Program Support

The new 4K restored version of The Red Spectacles (1987) was produced in 2024 through crowd funding from 2,953 supporters. The image was scanned in 4K resolution from the original 35mm camera negative, which was then digitally restored and color graded. The original monaural soundtrack was digitized from the 16mm magnetic track at Imagica Entertainment Media Services Inc. The new 5.1 mix was remixed at Sony PCL Inc. Both the image and sound restorations were completed under the supervision and approval of director Mamoru Oshii.

SUPPORT FOR FILM PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY

Rohauer Collection Foundation

WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY

Greater Columbus Arts Council

The Wexner Family

Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts

CampusParc

The Columbus Foundation

Every Page Foundation

Mellon Foundation

Axium Packaging

Nationwide Foundation

Michael and Anita Goldberg

Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease, LLP

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

Joyce Shenk

Rebecca Perry and Ben Towle

Lachelle Thigpen

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Next Film/Video

The Red Spectacles

Feb 26, 2026 7:00 PM EST
Film/Video Theater

$8 members
$12 general public
$9 adults 55 and over
$6 students

Prices include all fees; fees waived for members and in-person purchases.

For ticketing questions please call the Visitor Desk at (614) 292-3535.

A limited number of listening devices are available upon request.

If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation to participate in this event, please email accessibility@wexarts.org or call (614) 688-3890. Visit our Accessibility page to learn more.

Become a Member