Almost unknown in the West, Kawashima Yuzo (1918 – 1963) occupies an important position in Japanese film history. He began his career as an assistant at the Shochiku studios in 1938, working with directors such as Ozu and Shimazu. In 1944, he started directing himself and made a name for himself with his tragicomedies, that often take place in brothels or feature small-time crooks. Imamura Shohei, who began his career with Kawashima, counts him among one of his most important teachers. Kawashima’s films draw the viewer into their world right from the very start. They are lively films, full of strong-minded, determined characters who have to strike a balance between their desires and reality.

During the Forum we are presenting two films which have been restored by Milestones. They will be screened again as part of the Arsenal program. Shirley Clarke, a pioneer of independent American cinema, began her career as a dancer and turned to filmmaking in the 1950s. In 1962, she founded the New Yorker Film-makers' Cooperative with Jonas Mekas and others.

Many of the contributions to Forum 2012 focus on how to deal with contradictory concepts of life, the conflict of generations and the ambivalence of what is known as progress.

Almost 40 works from 20 different countries will be shown in exhibitions, film programs and performances that place an emphasis on aesthetic explorations of the global and individual dimensions of current crises.