Rediscovery of Yamamoto Satsuo
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. In 2004, they began a new series of film events offering prints subtitled in English to foreign residents of Japan, in the hope of giving a wider public at home the opportunity to watch some of the treasures of Japanese cinema.
At this 9th event, five excellent works by director Yamamoto Satsuo - whose works deserve second look, after a period of quasi-neglect - will be shown. At this event, three of the films (A Band of Asassins, Return of the Band of Assassins, and Solar Eclipse) will be shown in brand new prints. Two others are also in very good condition.
His works were shown at the special show last November, at a retrospective jointly organized by TOKYO FILMeX and the National Film Center. The Japan Foundation provided special support to this project by lending new prints specially made for the occasion.
Yamamoto undertook a wide range of works, from left-leaning social dramas to purely entertaining films. Many turned out to be masterpieces with earnest messages, at the same time successfully emanating true pleasures of cinema. This February, the Japan Foundation are happy to present five strong works that expose certain aspects of the Japanese Society. Stellar performances by such actors as Ichikawa Raizo, Wakao Ayako, Tamiya Jiro and Nakadai Tatsuya also make these films very special.
In addition to the screenings, film critic, Chris Fujiwara, will discuss the strengths of Yamamoto’s films.
Thursday 24 Jan 2008 | Paul | Film Festivals and Events
