This program presents two extraordinary works from the oceanic imaginary of Japanese cinema. The main feature is The Sea Demon on Land, a curious mixture of animal documentary, character study and escape film, and one of the most remarkable animal films ever made. The main hero is an actual octopus who flees a box on the way to the fish market and embarks on a long and perilous journey back to the ocean. With similarities to Jean Painlevé’s surrealism-influenced octopus films, director Igayama spins a harrowing—and from an animal rights perspective, sometimes disturbing—tale of perseverance that has to be seen to be believed. The film is preceded by Sea Palace, a fantastical silent film fable revolving around a mythical “Sea Princess” directed by later animation giant Masaoka Kenzo. Featuring charming special effects, this treasure from early Japanese cinema was digitally restored with funding from the International Film Festival Rotterdam.