Dr. Bruno has been teaching chemistry at NCSSM since 2013.  He has zero qualifications to teach Japanese Cinemaa, but he's doing it anyway!  He has an unnatural obsession with film and has never been to Japan.  He has always loved Japanese horror, noir, and samurai movies.  He has never seen a Stuido Ghibli film but there is no time like the present.  

Ms. Murphy has been teaching American Studies, Film Studies, and AI in Science Fiction at NCSSM-Durham since 2008 and she is very excited to dive into Japanese film with students for January-Term 2026. Ms. Murphy has traveled with NCSSM students many times, but never to Japan. She has seen all of the Studio Ghibli films and many other Japanese films as well. Wim Wenders' Perfect Days, set in Tokyo and documenting the life of a man who cleans the Tokyo Toilets, may be her spirit film, if you can have one of those. Ms. Murphy wishes to thank the Japanese and Japanese American members of her family  who are helping her set the syllabus and itinerary. 

Mr. Kurdi has been teaching Spanish, French, and Arabic at NCSSM since 2022. He is fascinated by the cultural, historical, and literary connections, as well as the diversity, of the various countries and continents where these languages are spoken. He enjoys traveling and has explored numerous countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, though this trip marks his first time visiting Japan.