Rediscovery of Japanese Cinema
Since its establishment in 1972, the Japan Foundation has been showing subtitled Japanese films overseas as part of its efforts to introduce Japanese culture to the world. Three years ago, the Japan Foundation resumed offering these English-subtitled prints to foreign residents of Japan so that they would have the opportunity to experience the wealth of Japanese cinema.
They have organized seven successful film events since 2004, and, as the eighth event, are presenting Rediscovery of Japanese Cinema. - six films that all enjoy critical acclaim overseas.
We have chosen these six films because of their strength as works of art. Both uninitiated audiences and avid cinema lovers will find them immensely attractive. The variety is also part of the appeal; as you will find elements of family drama, romance, and comedy, among others. You will also witness beautiful performances from actresses who were representative of the golden era of Japanese cinema, such as Hara Setsuko, Takamine Hideko, Tanaka Kinuyo, Kagawa Kyoko, and Wakao Ayako.
In addition to the screenings of stellar films, there will be a lecture by Dr. HIRANO Kyoko, author of Mr. Smith Goes to Tokyo: Japanese Cinema Under the American Occupation, 1945-1952 who recently published Manhattan no Kurosawa (lit. Kurosawa in Manhattan) in Japan. Between 1986 and 2004, Dr. Hirano worked for the Film Center at the Japan Society in New York., introducing numerous Japanese films to North American audiences. She will share with us her experiences in presenting Japanese cinema overseas. The late author and critic, Susan Sontag was very much involved in exploring world cinema, and programmed a series titled “Susan Sontag on Japanese Film” and its sequel. Three of the films shown during this film event, The Ball at the Anjo House, Where Chimneys Are Seen, and Twelve Pairs of Eyes, were highly recommended by Ms. Sontag.
The Films
The Ball at the Anjo House (Anjo-ke no Butokai)
Affected by the post WWII social and economic reforms removing all their privileges, the former aristocrat Anjo family faces their dire decline. The film portrays the destiny of each family member when the last ball takes place before their mansion gets sold; a vain father, a cynical son, a proud elder daughter, and a realistic younger daughter…
Their wishes and longings are interwoven as the night passes. Shindo Kaneto wrote this dexterous script inspired by Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard. The casting is also superb and contributes to the magnificent unfolding of the drama. This is one of the most important works of Yoshimura Kozaburo, who excelled at portraying women. This also is the first fruit of the Yoshimura–Shindo collaboration.
Twelve Pairs of Eyes (Nijushi no Hitomi)
Set in Shodoshima, a small island in the Inland Sea, the film depicts the story of a teacher and her 12 pupils over the course of 18 years from 1928 to 1946. Miss Oishi begins teaching at a tiny school, treating every child with care and affection. Her 12 charges learn and grow amid poverty and difficulties at home. Then come the war with China and WWII, and many boys go off to become soldiers. The film gently looks at the often tragic lives of the teacher and the pupils, and the bond between them. Takamine Hideko gives an outstanding performance and the non-actor children add authenticity to the drama. This is one of the most memorable films by Kinoshita Keisuke, who is best known for his Carmen Comes Home (1951), the first color film made in Japan.
Where Chimneys Are Seen (Entotsu no Mieru Basho)
A witty drama set in Kita-Senju, a working-class part of Tokyo where the phantom chimneys are seen. Depending on where they are viewed from, there appear to be two, three, or four smokestacks. A couple, Hiroko and Ryukichi, lives a humble life, having two lodgers on the second floor of their home. Trouble storms them in the form of a baby left on their doorstep, accompanied by a letter saying that the baby is Hiroko’s former husband’s. Confusion and misunderstanding follow, but in the end kindness and sympathy prevail. The film was shown at the third Berlin International Film Festival (1953), and received the International Peace Award among others. Gosho Heinosuke is widely known for works portraying the lives of ordinary people, such as The Neighbor’s Wife and I (1931, the first “talkie” made in Japan), Once More (1947), and The Yellow Crow (1957).
Crucified Lovers (Chikamatsu Monogatari)
Along with Ugetsu (1953) and Sansho the Bailiff (1954), this is one of the greatest films by Mizoguchi Kenji, who continues to inspire and influence filmmakers around the globe. Basing his work on a play by famed playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon entitled Daikyoji Mukashi Goyomi, Mizoguchi shows us a tightly woven drama around tragic lovers. The script, the camera, and the artistic direction form a perfect ensemble, and the actors Kagawa Kyoko and Hasegawa Kazuo respond with passionate performances. The black-and-white images are at times unbearably beautiful. A grand scroll-master in Kyoto, Ishun, is a powerful man. Osan, his younger second wife, gets into trouble when her family asks her to lend them some money. Being unable to ask her stingy husband, she seeks advices from the trusted store clerk, Mohei. Their behavior then is misunderstood to be adulterous and the two are wrongly persecuted. As they flee their pursuers, the two realize that they are actually in love with each other.
Elegant Beast (Shitoyakana Kedamono)
A black comedy from Kawashima Yuzo, who is famous for leaving several truly original works before his early death at 45. This is the third film in which he featured Wakao Ayako in the starring role, following Women Are Born Twice (1961) and Wild Geese Temple (1962). The Maeda family lives in a tiny apartment. Under the leadership of the father, the family members strive to scrape money off others. The son embezzles money at work, and the daughter skims men using her physical charm. People around the Maeda’s are easily victimized, except for one person… Shot entirely within the small rooms of an apartment, the director succeeds in demonstrating every possible camera angle and fully utilizing the playful script and the variety of characters. The result is this remarkably entertaining film.
Girls of Dark (Onna Bakari no Yoru)
Tanaka Kinuyo not only fulfilled a long career as an actress starring in the works of such masters as Kinoshita Keisuke, Gosho Heinosuke and Mizoguchi Kenji, but also as a director of six feature films as the second female director (after Sakane Tazuko) in the history of Japanese cinema. This is her fifth work, and it depicts women confronted by injustice and hypocrisy in the society. Kuniko is a former prostitute living in a correctional facility after prostitution was made illegal in 1958. As a model inmate, Kuniko is released and given work but still faces prejudice and discrimination. Despite the hardships, Kuniko makes a fresh start and searches for independence. Hara Chisako gives a refreshing performance, and the film benefits greatly from powerful ensemble performance.
Saturday 28 Apr 2007 | Paul | Film Festivals and Events
