“Blue in the Face” / 「ブルー・イン・ザ・フェイス」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1996, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) G291

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the 1996 Japanese release of Blue in the Face / 「ブルー・イン・ザ・フェイス」, Wayne Wang and Paul Auster’s freewheeling Brooklyn ensemble comedy.

Created as an improvised companion piece to Smoke, the film returns to Auggie Wren’s neighbourhood tobacco shop and surrounds Harvey Keitel with an extraordinary collection of actors, musicians, filmmakers, and New York personalities.

Film background

The film centres on Auggie Wren, proprietor of a small Brooklyn smoke shop that functions as a gathering place for the surrounding community.

When the shop’s owner considers selling the premises for redevelopment as a fashionable health-food business, Auggie and the neighbourhood regulars attempt to preserve the informal social world that has developed around it.

Rather than following a conventional plot, the film unfolds through conversations, comic encounters, improvised monologues, musical interludes, and affectionate observations of Brooklyn life.

The production was assembled rapidly after the completion of Smoke, using improvisation and ideas contributed by its unusually varied ensemble.

The principal cast includes:

Harvey Keitel
Victor Argo
Giancarlo Esposito
Michael J. Fox
Mel Gorham
Jim Jarmusch
Lou Reed
Roseanne Barr
Mira Sorvino
Lily Tomlin
Malik Yoba
Madonna

Lou Reed and Jim Jarmusch appear in memorable conversational sequences, while Madonna makes a playful cameo as a singing telegram performer.

The film’s relaxed structure and spontaneous performances give it the character of a cinematic neighbourhood portrait rather than a conventional studio comedy.

Poster design

This distinctive Japanese poster combines a neon-tinted photographic still with a largely black lower field and an ingenious matchstick title treatment.

The upper image shows a group of characters dancing together outside the Brooklyn smoke shop. The photograph is coloured with vivid washes of pink, yellow, turquoise, and violet, giving the street scene an energetic, nocturnal atmosphere.

The central English title:

“BLUE
IN THE
FACE”

is constructed entirely from illustrated matchsticks, each tipped with brightly coloured heads. The idea refers directly to Auggie’s tobacco shop while giving the poster a playful, handmade identity.

Below, the ensemble cast is listed in individually coloured lettering, including the deliberately altered credit:

“MA?ONNA”

for Madonna.

The red Japanese promotional line reads:

「この映画に出ることが、イカれたスーパースターの間で大流行！」

Translated:

“Appearing in this film became the latest craze among eccentric superstars!”

The large Japanese title:

「ブルー・イン・ザ・フェイス」

appears across the lower section in clean white lettering.

The footer tagline reads:

「オーギー・レンの煙草屋を救え！
あの『スモーク』から生まれた、もうひとつの贈り物。」

Translated:

“Save Auggie Wren’s smoke shop! Another gift born from Smoke.”

The credits also note the film’s presentation at the 1995 Berlin International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, together with the Japanese distribution details for Nippon Herald Films.

The result is a lively and unconventional Japanese poster that captures the film’s improvisational spirit, New York setting, and colourful collection of personalities.

Condition

Very Good + condition. A highly attractive example retaining strong black areas, vivid neon colour, crisp matchstick artwork, and clear typography.

There are only light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese theatrical poster from this period.

Reference: G291.

Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1996 Japanese release campaign, not a reproduction or reprint.

It is approximately 30 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.