J A P A N
L A N G U A G E : J A P A N E S E
G E N R E S : K A I J U | P E R I O D D R A M A S | S C I - F I | A N I M E | S A M U R A I
G E N R E S : K A I J U | P E R I O D D R A M A S | S C I - F I | A N I M E | S A M U R A I
Unfortunately, the Japanese film industry isn’t particularly one I am that familiar with. However, from what little I have witnessed, I’ve really come to appreciate and love. The cinematography and stylistic appeal of Japan's craft of filmmaking is aesthetically vibrant to behold, and (unlike some other foreign industries who unsuccessfully attempt to replicate the same means) their stories are greatly enhanced as a result of it. In fact, the primary reason why Japanese films have captivated the interest of Western audiences is due to its distinctive qualities. Foreign, alien, exotic - whatever you may refer to it as - Japanese cinema is extremely different from Hollywood. And yet, they do both share a fascination for increasing consumerism and innovative technology.
If I am to be honest, I’d say none other country even compares to that of Japan as far as animation is concerned. Now, I do not consider myself an anime or manga advocate (and some may agree with me when I say that there are other forms of the genre that are just a bit too eccentric and explicit for my tastes). In spite of that, I do have quite the infatuation for one category of films in particular.
The only true form of Japanese cinema I have been exposed to is that of the Studio Ghibli company, whose animated films have spellbound me since I was first exposed to them as an eight year old child. To put it simply, looking back on these artistic masterpieces gives me an overwhelming wave of nostalgia. While a handful of these movies’ dialogue were dubbed over for an English-speaking audience (I did own the western released DVDs, after all), their captivating way of storytelling, along with their unique, visionary artwork, never ceased to spark my imagination, even years later. |
象徴的なD I R E C T O R S
Akira Kurosawa, Nagisa Ôshima Yasujirô Ozu, Hayo Miyazaki A C T O R S Toshirô Mifune, Takakura Ken Oda Yuji, Nagase Mastatoshi A C T R E S S E S Nanako Matsushima, Miyazawa Rie |
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Since I’m on the topic of discussing what I have and have not been exposed to, there is one film that I cannot fall fall short of mentioning: Memoirs of a Geisha. Now, strictly speaking, this film is not a genuine Japanese film, but rather a collaboration of both Japanese and American movie studios. Much to my surprise, there have been more “Japamerican” collaborations than I can even fathom. It is also very common for Japanese actors to collaborate with other actors and filmmakers from surrounding Asian countries, such as China and Korea. This also creates a rather fine line among the three. Especially since innovative filming methods have greatly flourished and diversified themselves, it can be a bit challenging to find a pure Japanese film, a pure Chinese film, etc. If you ask me, this very well exemplifies the success you can achieve through joint production projects. Why seclude and limit yourself when you have the opportunity to successfully thrive and collaborate with others in creating something even more worthwhile? To me, this is perhaps the greatest gift of filmmaking, and the very essence of why I love it as much as I do. Films have that magical power to connect and impact people all throughout the world, regardless of the barriers of race, religion, and language. |
- Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world, and has a history that spans more than 100 years.
- As far as the total numbers in film production are concerned, Japan is considered the fourth largest cinema industry in the world.
- In the year of 1954, two of Japan's most influential films were released. The first being Seven Samurai. Directed by Kurosawa, the film tells the story of a group of samurai who protect a defenseless village from a gang of greedy thieves. Also in the same year, Ishirō Honda directed the anti-nuclear monster-drama Godzilla, which was released in the United States as Godzilla, King of the Monsters. Although it was edited for its Western release, Godzilla became an international icon of Japan, inspiring an entire subgenre of kaiju (monster) films.
- Hollywood has gone into remaking many iconic Japanese blockbusters, such as The Ring (Original Japan release - 1998, U.S. remake - 2002) and Godzilla (Original Japan release - 1954, U.S. remake - 1998).
- 1954’s Godzilla is considered one of the most iconic films ever made, influencing a whole franchise of international spin-offs. In fact, it holds the Guinness World Record for “longest continuously running movie franchise”. Currently, there are a total of 28 films.
- Japan has won the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film four times.
- In 1951, the first Japanese film in color was Carmen Comes Home directed by Keisuke Kinoshita.
- Spirited Away (2001) currently stands as the highest grossing film in Japan.
There’s not that much left unsaid about this cinema industry on my part, as I have yet to truly delve myself into their visionary forms of filmmaking. In fact, I’ve done more researching and watching of Japanese movies than writing, as there are so many genres that expand the country's diverse film spectrum (I have not seen all 28 Godzilla films yet, but believe me - I'm working on it). Name the oddest genre you can possibly think of and I can guarantee that Japan has at least attempted to formulate it once. As far as what I can see, a majority of Japan's successful films bring about a very rare sense of storytelling that I have not quite witnessed from other countries. While it may not be the number one leading industry as far as special effects or elaborate plot lines are concerned, you can’t deny the fact that its stories sincerely portray the heart of humankind. Even the most disheartening of films which deal with destruction and utter disaster leave something very poignant behind. In essence, Japan very well elucidates that the simplest of stories are perhaps the most extraordinary, and that is one of the most significant aspects to embrace and remember while pursuing a venue in filmmaking.
R E S O U R C E S
Miyao, Daisuke, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Cinema. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Web.
<https://books.google.com/books?id=H8s8BAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false>.
Cateridge, James. "Journeying into Japanese Cinema: Godzilla, Anime and More." Film Studies for Dummies. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 244-47. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<https://books.google.com/books?id=5-MbBgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage>.
"Japanese Cinema Turns the Tables on Hollywood." Nippon - Your Doorway to Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<http://www.nippon.com/en/features/c01102/>.
"An Overview of the Japanese Film Industry." Tokyo Metropolitan Government. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<http://www.locationbox.metro.tokyo.jp/english/shooting/overview.php>.
"Japanese Movies." Japan Zone. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<http://www.japan-zone.com/modern/movie.shtml>.
Miyao, Daisuke, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Cinema. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Web.
<https://books.google.com/books?id=H8s8BAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false>.
Cateridge, James. "Journeying into Japanese Cinema: Godzilla, Anime and More." Film Studies for Dummies. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 244-47. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<https://books.google.com/books?id=5-MbBgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage>.
"Japanese Cinema Turns the Tables on Hollywood." Nippon - Your Doorway to Japan. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<http://www.nippon.com/en/features/c01102/>.
"An Overview of the Japanese Film Industry." Tokyo Metropolitan Government. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<http://www.locationbox.metro.tokyo.jp/english/shooting/overview.php>.
"Japanese Movies." Japan Zone. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 16.
<http://www.japan-zone.com/modern/movie.shtml>.
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The film industries of the world are just as diverse as its countries. With that said, I'm going to discuss a newer, less prominent cinema industry that many wouldn't anticipate knowing about. You're aware of both Hollywood and Bollywood – now, prepare for Nollywood. |