Adapted from Haruki Murakami‘s short story of the same now from his 2014 collection “Men Without Women,” Ryusuke Hamaguchi‘s DRIVE MY CAR is a haunting road movie traveling a path of love, loss, acceptance, and peace. Winner of three prizes at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, including Best Screenplay, the film is also Japan’s official entry for the Best International Film at the 2022 Academy Awards.
“Epic Japanese drama Drive My Car is the best cinematic ride of the year.” (Globe and Mail)
“All the ingredients that made Hamaguchi’s 2015 breakthrough Happy Hour such a beautifully affirming experience are here, but sharpened ever so delicately into a story that parallels personal growth with the acting process.” (NOW)
“For a century and more, film directors have explored crosscurrents between art and life, and how one informs the other. Hamaguchi makes that exploration a fully humanized one.” (Chicago Tribune)
“It feels like it moves at a clip even though, yes, it’s at three hours. Very much worth a watch.” (FilmWeek NPR)
Sunday, December 26
Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $13 HERE | $13 at the door
Tuesday, December 28
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $13 HERE | $13 at the door
Monday, January 3
Doors 5:15 pm | Movie 5:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $13 HERE | $13 at the door
Starting December 22, 2021 all events at the Rio Theatre are operating at 50% capacity. Advance tickets are recommended for all shows to ensure entry and seating. Online sales for every screening automatically end one hour before any given showtime.
*Minors permitted in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*If you are looking to redeem your tickets to either a canceled Rio Theatre screening or a Rio Theatre gift certificate, please email <[email protected]> with info including your name, canceled receipt number, gift certificate info, what you are wanting to see and when, and we can make the switch for you in advance. Alternately, you can bring this information with you to the venue, and we will do our best to help you at the box office.
In accordance with the Province of British Columbia’s current PHO from the Ministry of Health, all eligible patrons must present their proof of vaccine status for entry. No exceptions.
DRIVE MY CAR “Doraibu mai kâ” (Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, 2021 / 179 mins / English subtitles) Yusuke Kafuku, a stage actor and director is happily married to Oto, a screenwriter. However, Oto suddenly dies after leaving behind a secret. Two years later, Kafuku, still unable to fully cope with the loss of his wife, receives an offer to direct a play at a theater festival and drives to Hiroshima with his car. There, he meets Misaki, a reticent woman assigned to become his chauffeur. As they spend time together, Kafuku confronts the mystery of his wife that quietly haunts him.