|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 5, 2018 23:33:35 GMT
I am starting this new thread as I don't want to hijack that "OZU fans" thread by discussing films of other directors in that thread.
Fox in the Snow said that outside of American movies, he has seen more movies from Japan than from any other country. I think the same is true for me too. I love films from all over the world but Japanese films (particularly from 50s-70s period) are very close to my heart. I am intrigued by Japanese culture, particularly the pre-eighteenth century time period when they had not yet opened up to cultural influences from outside.
Movies like The Ballad of Narayama (1958) & Ugetsu Monogatari make me think about complexity of life. I think irrespective of the good sides of Japan, extreme amount misogyny had infiltrated Japanese culture during the medieval age. Their society had become extremely feudal and Buddhist monks were greedy hypocrites. As a result there was a hierarchy in their society and people of peasant class were literally powerless. Of course, all societies throughout the world suffered from feudalism, religious hypocrisy and misogyny. But the Japanese directors of classic age were far more bold in depicting the flaws of their society than were the directors of most other countries. Luis Bunuel was one of the directors outside of Japan who dealt with various social and religious issues just as boldly as Japanese directors did. But there was more soul and warmth in Japanese cinema than there was in European cinema.
In this thread please share with us your views on Japanese cinema and comment on your favourite films from Japan. If there is any interest in this thread then I will keep updating it with discussion of various directors of Japan.
|
|
|
Post by wmcclain on Jul 6, 2018 0:05:13 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 9:06:49 GMT
Woman of the Dunes (1964) is adapted from a novel by Kobo Abe. The most interesting thing about this movie is that very rarely you will find the original writer of the novel to be also credited for screenplay of the movie. This made this film so much more authentic. The use of heat and sweat to depict eroticism has never been bested as in this film. When I saw this movie the first time I was able to feel claustrophobic just like the lead character was feeling. B&W cinematography matches the theme underlying the message of this movie. It's my 4th Favourite Japanese movie ever.
wmcclain, have you seen The Face of Another (1966) by the same director?
|
|
|
Post by Fox in the Snow on Jul 6, 2018 9:24:57 GMT
Woman of the Dunes (1964) is adapted from a novel by Kobo Abe. The most interesting thing about this movie is that very rarely you will find the original writer of the novel to be also credited for screenplay of the movie. This made this film so much more authentic. The use of heat and sweat to depict eroticism has never been bested as in this film. When I saw this movie the first time I was able to feel claustrophobic just like the lead character was feeling. B&W cinematography matches the theme underlying the message of this movie. It's my 4th Favourite Japanese movie ever.
wmcclain, have you seen The Face of Another (1966) by the same director?
One of my favorites too. Easily in my Top 10 or even Top 5 Japanese films (I don't have a definitive number 1). The Face of Another is just as good and his first feature Pitfall isn't far behind. What are your Top 3 Japanese films?
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 9:46:22 GMT
Woman of the Dunes (1964) is adapted from a novel by Kobo Abe. The most interesting thing about this movie is that very rarely you will find the original writer of the novel to be also credited for screenplay of the movie. This made this film so much more authentic. The use of heat and sweat to depict eroticism has never been bested as in this film. When I saw this movie the first time I was able to feel claustrophobic just like the lead character was feeling. B&W cinematography matches the theme underlying the message of this movie. It's my 4th Favourite Japanese movie ever.
wmcclain, have you seen The Face of Another (1966) by the same director?
One of my favorites too. Easily in my Top 10 or even Top 5 Japanese films (I don't have a definitive number 1). The Face of Another is just as good and his first feature Pitfall isn't far behind. What are your Top 3 Japanese films? Glad you liked it as well. I have not seen The face of Another and will very much like to see it. Now that you say it is almost on par with Woman of the Dunes, I will make hurry.
When people ask me to list my top 10 movies then generally my top 10 remains the same but the order may change. But not in case of Japanese cinema. Sansho Dayu (1954) remains my favourite Japanese movie of all time in any list I make. In fact it may also be my favourite film ever (not just favourite Japanese). I was moved so much by it when I saw it for the first time that I decided to show this film to my movie buff friends. It's a bit simpler than other Japanese movies but nonetheless just as effective.
My third favourite is Harakiri (1962). This time there are many reasons including direction, acting, story and cinematography for liking it or any other Kobayashi films.
Keep in mind that all my ranking are based on pre 80s movies. I also like Grave of the Fireflies and some other movies but I believe they should not be compared to movies of classic era.
What would be your top 5 (even if you can make a loose list)?
|
|
|
Post by Fox in the Snow on Jul 6, 2018 10:28:51 GMT
One of my favorites too. Easily in my Top 10 or even Top 5 Japanese films (I don't have a definitive number 1). The Face of Another is just as good and his first feature Pitfall isn't far behind. What are your Top 3 Japanese films? Glad you liked it as well. I have not seen The face of Another and will very much like to see it. Now that you say it is almost on par with Woman of the Dunes, I will make hurry. When people ask me to list my top 10 movies then generally my top 10 remains the same but the order may change. But not in case of Japanese cinema. Sansho Dayu (1954) remains my favourite Japanese movie of all time in any list I make. In fact it may also be my favourite film ever (not just favourite Japanese). I was moved so much by it when I saw it for the first time that I decided to show this film to my movie buff friends. It's a bit simpler than other Japanese movies but nonetheless just as effective. My third favourite is Harakiri (1962). This time there are many reasons including direction, acting, story and cinematography for liking it or any other Kobayashi films. Keep in mind that all my ranking are based on pre 80s movies. I also like Grave of the Fireflies and some other movies but I believe they should not be compared to movies of classic era. What would be your top 5 (even if you can make a loose list)?
I love Sansho, as I mentioned earlier, but I think I slightly prefer The Life of Oharu (so brutal, yet so beautiful) and Ugetsu from Mizoguchi and possibly even The Princess Yang Kwei-fei, one f his two color films, I’ve yet to see the other one, Tales of the Taira Clan. I’ve only seen the 1983 version of The Ballad of Narayama, but I quite like it. Hope to get the original at some point. I love Harakiri. I have trouble ranking “the big 3” Kobayashi films. The 3 part The Human Condition if taken as a whole is just such an ambitious, monumental achievement. Taken individually the second part is noticeably weaker, but the final part is stunning. The final sequence is one of the most beautiful pieces of cinema I’ve seen. Harakiri is just so technically superb, probably my favorite Samurai film and Kwaidan is gorgeous, though the final story is a little lacking and lets it down a little overall. The Burmese Harp is another “big one” I’ve yet to see, though I do like most of the Ichikawa I have seen, particularly An Actor’s Revenge, Fires on the Plain and Odd Obsession. A rough Top 5, chronologically The Life of Oharu An Actor’s Revenge Onibaba Woman in the Dunes Dolls [2002] – like you most of my favorites come from the “classic” period, but this is one of the most amazingly beautiful films I’ve ever seen, so spare and minimal, very little plot or dialogue, but absolutely stunning visuals.
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 10:43:47 GMT
Glad you liked it as well. I have not seen The face of Another and will very much like to see it. Now that you say it is almost on par with Woman of the Dunes, I will make hurry. When people ask me to list my top 10 movies then generally my top 10 remains the same but the order may change. But not in case of Japanese cinema. Sansho Dayu (1954) remains my favourite Japanese movie of all time in any list I make. In fact it may also be my favourite film ever (not just favourite Japanese). I was moved so much by it when I saw it for the first time that I decided to show this film to my movie buff friends. It's a bit simpler than other Japanese movies but nonetheless just as effective. My third favourite is Harakiri (1962). This time there are many reasons including direction, acting, story and cinematography for liking it or any other Kobayashi films. Keep in mind that all my ranking are based on pre 80s movies. I also like Grave of the Fireflies and some other movies but I believe they should not be compared to movies of classic era. What would be your top 5 (even if you can make a loose list)?
I love Sansho, as I mentioned earlier, but I think I slightly prefer The Life of Oharu (so brutal, yet so beautiful) and Ugetsu from Mizoguchi and possibly even The Princess Yang Kwei-fei, one f his two color films, I’ve yet to see the other one, Tales of the Taira Clan. I’ve only seen the 1983 version of The Ballad of Narayama, but I quite like it. Hope to get the original at some point. I love Harakiri. I have trouble ranking “the big 3” Kobayashi films. The 3 part The Human Condition if taken as a whole is just such an ambitious, monumental achievement. Taken individually the second part is noticeably weaker, but the final part is stunning. The final sequence is one of the most beautiful pieces of cinema I’ve seen. Harakiri is just so technically superb, probably my favorite Samurai film and Kwaidan is gorgeous, though the final story is a little lacking and lets it down a little overall. The Burmese Harp is another “big one” I’ve yet to see, though I do like most of the Ichikawa I have seen, particularly An Actor’s Revenge, Fires on the Plain and Odd Obsession. A rough Top 5, chronologically The Life of Oharu An Actor’s Revenge Onibaba Woman in the Dunes Dolls [2002] – like you most of my favorites come from the “classic” period, but this is one of the most amazingly beautiful films I’ve ever seen, so spare and minimal, very little plot or dialogue, but absolutely stunning visuals. I like that you mentioned The Human Condition series. I would have loved to see more movies from Kobayashi but I am still content with all the gems he gave.
Now after reading your post I need to watch An Actor's Revenge (1963). Can't believe that I was not even aware of this film. Thanks.
Would love to hear whatever Japanese films you have liked most.
I did love Throne of Blood (1957). Japanese touch to western stories such as in Samurai Saga (1959) (based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac) and Throne of Blood have done justice to the original stories. Not so much in being true to the original stories as in giving a different perspective to them. I have yet to see Tokyo Story but I am sure I will like that too.
|
|
|
Post by wmcclain on Jul 6, 2018 12:04:49 GMT
|
|
|
Post by wmcclain on Jul 6, 2018 12:18:18 GMT
wmcclain, have you seen The Face of Another (1966) by the same director?
No, but it is in my queue. Would it be a companion to Eyes Without a Face? I saw Pitfall and didn't know what to think about it.
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 12:57:54 GMT
wmcclain, have you seen The Face of Another (1966) by the same director?
No, but it is in my queue. Would it be a companion to Eyes Without a Face? I saw Pitfall and didn't know what to think about it. Unfortunately, I can not answer that yet as I have not seen The Face of Another but it is also in my watch list. Fox in the Snow has seen it so he may comment on it.
I will update you once I have seen it.
I also liked The Burmese Harp a lot!
|
|
|
Post by Fox in the Snow on Jul 6, 2018 14:38:24 GMT
No, but it is in my queue. Would it be a companion to Eyes Without a Face? I saw Pitfall and didn't know what to think about it. Unfortunately, I can not answer that yet as I have not seen The Face of Another but it is also in my watch list. Fox in the Snow has seen it so he may comment on it.
I will update you once I have seen it.
I also liked The Burmese Harp a lot!
I would, except I haven't seen Eyes Without A Face. Eyes Without A Face sounds like it tends more toward horror than The Face of Another which is more of a drama albeit quite dark and surreal.
|
|
|
Post by wmcclain on Jul 6, 2018 21:11:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 6, 2018 21:15:10 GMT
At our place we have just spent six months of every evening lovingly with a Japanese Classic Film, no films from Ak, Km or Ozu this was an incredible off the beaten track journey of discovery. The home dvd collection is nearing 400 I have uploaded over 100 dvd and poster art images for Japanese films on the IMDb data base which did not have an image. Many excellent highly rated films have less than 50 votes and some even are awaiting 5 votes !... Recently was thrilled to find some original Japanese film posters including this stunning Art theatre Guild Production poster from Nagisa Ôshima , Tokyo senso sengo hiwa The Man Who Left His Will on Film (1970) There has been a rather limited perception of Japanese cinema among western critics and scholars Many great masters of Japanese cinema to this day, still mysteriously linger in the shadows of obscurity... A Chain Of islands .. Nihon rettô is an outstanding film, a brilliant multi faceted unpredictable drama of extraordinary dimension. The complexing thriller begins with the discovery of a floating body, the death of an American serviceman which ultimately leads to a far reaching criminal investigation. The CID investigate crimes committed by American servicemen and they take on the responsibility for this cold case. Their headquarters are on the local American Military Base which is staffed by both American and Japanese investigators, however it is the Americans who have an overriding power of control. The subsequent investigation, somewhat hindered, uncovers a sophisticated dark world of corruption & organised local & international crime, Menacingly throughout, American war planes roar overhead. The incisive film boldly criticises American foreign policy in Japan, Asia and further afield . The setting is 1959, a time of civil unrest and agitation as Japanese youth movements protest against the upcoming renewal of the ANPO treaty... Kei Kumai's unflinching socially critical works have great depth and a tremendous dramatic force. His style of powerful simplicity presents controversial themes with astonishing artistic inventiveness. A superb cast of characters, the black and white cinematography of "A Chain Of Islands" is exceptional. Winner of the 1966 "Blue Ribbon Award", Best New Director, and at the 1966 "Kinema Junpo Awards", Best Screenplay Kei Kumai ... Highly Recommended.!!
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 22:11:35 GMT
I have just spent six months of every evening with a Japanese Classic Film, no films from Ak, Km or Ozu this was an incredible off the beaten track journey of discovery. My home dvd collection is nearing 400 , I have uploaded over 100 dvd and poster art images for Japanese films on the IMDb data base which did not have an image. Many excellent highly rated films have less than 50 votes and some even are awaiting 5 votes !... I was thrilled to recently find some original Japanese film posters including this stunning Art theatre Guild Production poster from Nagisa Ôshima , Tokyo senso sengo hiwa The Man Who Left His Will on Film (1970) There has been a rather limited perception of Japanese cinema among western critics and scholars Many great masters of Japanese cinema to this day, still mysteriously linger in the shadows of obscurity... A Chain Of islands .. Nihon rettô is an outstanding film, a brilliant multi faceted unpredictable drama of extraordinary dimension. The complexing thriller begins with the discovery of a floating body, the death of an American serviceman which ultimately leads to a far reaching criminal investigation. The CID investigate crimes committed by American servicemen and they take on the responsibility for this cold case. Their headquarters are on the local American Military Base which is staffed by both American and Japanese investigators, however it is the Americans who have an overriding power of control. The subsequent investigation, somewhat hindered, uncovers a sophisticated dark world of corruption & organised local & international crime, Menacingly throughout, American war planes roar overhead. The incisive film boldly criticises American foreign policy in Japan, Asia and further afield . The setting is 1959, a time of civil unrest and agitation as Japanese youth movements protest against the upcoming renewal of the ANPO treaty... Kei Kumai's unflinching socially critical works have great depth and a tremendous dramatic force. His style of powerful simplicity presents controversial themes with astonishing artistic inventiveness. A superb cast of characters, the black and white cinematography of "A Chain Of Islands" is exceptional. Winner of the 1966 "Blue Ribbon Award", Best New Director, and at the 1966 "Kinema Junpo Awards", Best Screenplay Kei Kumai ... Highly Recommended.!! Wow. Nice to meet you manfromplanetx. I admire and envy your dedication to Japanese movies. As a fan of Japanese cinema I also thank you for making contributions related to Japanese cinema on different channels like IMDB. I can understand what you are saying. Many of the great works from Japan have never even come to limelight and there are many hidden gems to be found if one looks for it. I think one of the reasons why western critics have limited perception of Japanese cinema is that Japanese art (and culture) is very complex and for those who have not lived in Japan, it could be difficult to grasp and appreciate their art. AK is one of the directors that westerners are able to relate to and identify with and so his works are relatively more popular than works of many others.
I am adding the names you mentioned in my online notes and would very much like to go through them in my own time.
|
|
|
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 22:16:47 GMT
I think it's time for me to re-watch this extremely beautiful movie. I liked all the segments when I watched it first in 2008 but "The Woman of the Snow" segment was my favourite. This movie for some reason was very visually appealing.
|
|
|
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 7, 2018 4:44:04 GMT
Many Thanks to you Aj_June have been enjoying with great interest your fantastic thread topic !! one that is close to my classic film heart . Tadashi Imai was one of Japan's most prolific, interesting and controversial of 20th-century film directors. He infused staunch left-wing political views into almost all his films, which are diverse from period classics, war, and topical contemporary social drama. A master of his craft Imai successfully succeeded in combining masterful art with topical social criticism, producing outstanding thought provoking drama of exceptional quality. During the decade 1950-60 Imai took out the prestigious The Kinema Junpo Award for Best Film of the Year five times and at the esteemed Blue Ribbon Awards he won Best Film and Best Director also on five occasions. Himeyuri no Tô (1953) A stark tale, an outstanding historical World War 2 based drama, a dedication inspired by true events. Tadashi Imai's exceptional film closely follows the plight of a large group of young female students the, "Lily Princesses Student Corps". and their teachers. These faithful civilians were recruited onto the front-lines, forming nursing units totally ill-equipped for the gruelling 3 month Battle of Okinawa. The hardships faced by these young women in a fearful and oppressive battle front atmosphere is sensitively portrayed, it is a truly heartbreaking human tragedy. The folly of war is explicit, the enemy are shown as merciless indiscriminate aggressors, equally the Japanese authority is implicit, challenged & continually brought into question. This is an incredibly powerful anti-war film, raw & gritty, Imai's creative multi layered filmmaking portrays scenes of harrowing, devastating, intense action, tempered occasionally with his masterful images of sublime beauty... The Himeyuri Monument was built on April 7 1946 at Itoman City Okinawa, Dedicated to the memory of those students and teachers who died, it is a sombre reminder of the stupidity, the recklessness of war...
|
|
|
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 7, 2018 5:09:13 GMT
Winner of the 1940 Kinema Junpo Award for Best Film was Tsuchi aka, Earth directed by Tomu Uchida.
Despite being regarded as one of the great masters of Japanese cinema his films are mostly little known. Uchida directed his first film in 1922, and he soon became known for directing keiko eiga (leftist “tendency” films), films that have social critique and a progressive tone. Decades later he made an acclaimed widely recognized work, one of his last films, the outstanding crime drama, Kiga Kaikyo , A Fugitive from the Past (1965) Tsuchi Uchida's best known pre-war film is widely regarded a masterpiece of cinematic realism. the stunning film however transcends the boundaries of reality, a virtuosic stylist Uchida masterly composed a richly textured humanist drama of profound dimension. Translated as Earth the film is an epic compelling portrait .Shot against austere landscapes it tells of the lives of peasant farmers in northern Japan's rugged and remote Tohoku region , and in particular the story closely follows the plight of one poor family. Interwoven are scenes of traditional cultural ritual, juxtaposed against the backdrop of heartbreaking hardship sublimely beautiful scenes capture life toiling the fields, workers planting and harvesting rice, a mesmerizing shot of tall grains in the wind no doubt inspired Shindo... Uchida's detailed chronicle of peasant life was somewhat tempered than his original intention it nevertheless remains a graphic provoking portrait. The ambitious project was to be a film critique of capitalism, he wanted to show how the poor struggle to live, in order to demonstrate for progressive change. But censorship issues complicated production, any openly leftist analysis of the class system was out of the question at this time in Japan, and against the studios wishes the film was secretly completed on location using each weekend over the course of a year. Viewed was a seriously compromised print which was discovered in Germany in 1968. It is such a travesty that Tsuchi had been lost damaged and neglected , with striking imagery in every frame, a pristine print would undoubtedly be hailed as a masterpiece of Classic World Cinema . But what a thrill of discovery classic film can be , absorbed by the sheer beauty during one particular scene, the music the motion, I suddenly found myself overcome with emotion, tears of wondrous joy ran down my cheeks .. Highly Recommended the films of Japanese Master, Tomu Uchida his chosen stage name "Tomu" translates .. "To spit out dreams".
|
|
|
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 7, 2018 5:35:25 GMT
The cinema of Director Satsuo Yamamoto, Independent intensely rebellious and socially conscious, Yamamoto's diverse range of film projects are permeated with his socialist politics. He created great dimension to his cinematic art, a profound layer of entertainment value. Crafting a diversity of little known masterpieces from the 1950s to the '70s, controversial and socially conscious, historical, all his films are highly entertaining. thought provoking adult dramas which shone a spotlight, had a focus, where others feared to tread. Yamamoto was considered one of the initiators of the movement of independent Japanese film-makers. Inspired Directors who boldly produced and presented controversial political and social matters artistically & entertainingly through the cinematic medium. Tengu-tô , Blood End (1969) is an excellent multi layered drama film that fictitiously recounts the actual historical events of the Mito Tengu Group who attempted to overthrow the Shogunate during the Bakumatsu Period (1853-67 ) As an uncertain future looms, a time of social upheaval, brutalized peasant farmer Sentaro (Tatsuya Nakadai) meets an idealistic young samurai Genjirô (Go Kato). Sentaro is drawn into a conflicting & deadly power play, clash of political ideology. One of many outstanding classics, I found this original sheet poster just recently with Ayako Wakao
|
|
|
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 7, 2018 6:20:40 GMT
Toei Studio's 1960s output is highlighted with a series of action packed Yakuza; ninkyo eiga, films. These wonderful crime action films are grounded social dramas, perfectly cast, highlighted with essential elements, the gangsters code of honour, having an emphasis on the obligation to the group and thoughtfully of ninjo ('humanity / compassion'). the films of Toei stand in contrast to the frenetic energy of the crime films of rival studio Nikkatsu. Director Kosaku Yamashita proved himself to be a master of the low budget gangster film , he produced some of the best and most memorable films of the genre. A highly skilled stylist, he paints an impressive richly detailed atmospheric portrait. Surprisingly little known are most of his films, including this outstanding gem Bakuchi-uchi: socho tobaku , Big Time Gambling Boss (1968) , and many others... Nihon jokyo-den: tekka geisha , A Lively Geisha (1968) Set in the Taisho period:1912-1926, the beautiful Geisha Koshizu (Junko Fuji) has longed for the opportunity to perform the prestigious Yasuna dance, however a jealous rival, Geisha Adakichi.is not impressed. Popular Koshizu fends off advances, proposals of marriage from her wealthy clients, her heart seems locked in the distant past, to a mysterious stranger... This exceptional emotional drama begins with a lively solo dance number from star Junko Fuji, an enchanting treat, as the credits roll.. An epic multilayered tale follows, a superb seamless blend of Yakuza crime action and a deeply expressive Geisha melodrama. Director Kôsaku Yamashita masterly paints an impressive atmospheric portrait of the early era, giving the film an authentic feel, rich in every detail. With a colourful visually magnificent dance scene, some terrific Yakuza style action !, an excellent finale, Nihon jokyo-den: tekka geisha is outstanding classic Japanese cinema. Director Tai Katô was another prolific, unique cinematic stylist who worked for Toei Studios. Also little known he was master craftsman who excelled in yakuza & jidai-geki epics. Kato enhanced these genre films with engaging screenplays, deeply drawn characters and violent action .. Meiji kyokyakuden - sandaime shumei , Blood Revenge (1965) An excellent ninkyo eiga the setting is Osaka, 1907. Honourable and loyal Asajiro lives in a discordant social environment, he has a strong noble desire to maintain the clean and respected business reputation of his clan. When his boss is incapacitated Asajiro and his group are confronted with serious internal & external challenges... Director Tai Kato wonderful cinematic style builds a gripping tale, with richly drawn characters, the outstanding story is multi faceted, one of loyalty, honour, romance, and rivalry. Action packed, there is much blood drawn in revenge..
|
|
|
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 7, 2018 6:41:19 GMT
Director Teruo Ishii produced a series of very stylish black thrillers during the late 50s and early 60s, moving onto exploitation features, his 1958 film Nyotai sanbashi is a knockout. The prolific cult director creates an engrossing tale with his unique cinematic crime action style. He made an excellent noir style crime series, Kurosen chitai (1960), Ôsen chitai (1960) and Sekushî chitai (1961) and began the very popular prison film series with Abashiri Bangaichi (1965) he is often referred to in Japan as "The King of Cult". Sensational Photomontage Poster Art , Nyotai sanbashi (1958)
|
|