petak, 7. rujna 2012.

Midnight Eye - Japan galore


picture: 'Masao Kobayashi'



Midnight Eye je rog obilja za ljubitelje japanskog filma.


Interviews

September 3, 2012

Masao Kobayashi

picture: Masao Kobayashi
Masao Kobayashi recounts his adventures as a Japanese producer in North Korea for the film Somi - The Taekwon-do Woman. By Johannes Schönherr.

January 20, 2011

Shinya Tsukamoto

picture: Shinya Tsukamoto
"When I make a Tetsuo movie I don't shoot it in one month. I need to dedicate enough time to the production, and I cannot give up that style."

December 13, 2010

Yoshishige Yoshida

picture: Yoshishige Yoshida
"For me youth is necessarily a destructive force. The idea that youth is a splendid thing, as they show in commercials, is merely an illusion."

Gen Takahashi

picture: Gen Takahashi
"The question is why the police in Japan don't stop their illegal activities. It's because the people are docile."

September 30, 2010

Takahiko Iimura

picture: Takahiko Iimura
"If a film said 'This is Takahiko Iimura' the image will be limited by an image of myself, but if a film said 'This is not Takahiko Iimura' the possibilities are limitless."

June 1, 2010

Yoichi Sai

picture: Yoichi Sai
"It wasn't like I wanted to make films or wanted to surround myself in a filmmaking environment. I was simply told, 'Here's a job for you. Take it.'"

April 22, 2010

Susumu Hani

picture: Susumu Hani
"I am interested only in the inside of people."

March 29, 2010

Momoko Ando

picture: Momoko Ando
"What I believe in most is the power of people's imagination to fill in what isn't there."

January 25, 2010

Tokachi Tsuchiya

picture: Tokachi Tsuchiya
"I was a bit worried the yakuza were going to turn up at the theatre when we first started screening the film in Tokyo."

December 22, 2009

Shozin Fukui

picture: Shozin Fukui
"It was very rare that somebody would make movies in such an extreme way. "

August 25, 2009

Yuki Tanada

picture: Yuki Tanada
"I want to be known as a filmmaker, not a woman filmmaker."

June 2, 2009

Ian Buruma

picture: Ian Buruma
"The idea of racial harmony was part of Japanese propaganda, not a reflection of reality."

April 23, 2009

Michael Arias

picture: Michael Arias
"I like working as part of a large group. That's one of the aspects of filmmaking that makes it unique among all the visual arts: the fact that you have a crew of a hundred people all working toward one work of art."

March 27, 2009

Masanobu Ando

picture: Masanobu Ando
"In Japan, filmmakers are so preoccupied with getting the job done that they can never relax on the set."

February 5, 2009

Inuhiko Yomota

picture: Inuhiko Yomota
"I take a clear distance from Hollywood. This alone puts me at a completely different starting point from most Japanese critics today."

August 22, 2008

Yoshihiko Matsui

picture: Yoshihiko Matsui
"My movies always cause strong arguments between those for and against."

June 17, 2008

Kenji Murakami

picture: Kenji Murakami
"Most of the older filmmakers were all angry with me for making such a personal documentary. They want me to be more political."

March 16, 2008

Kaori Momoi

picture: Kaori Momoi
"There are no taboos for me; just rules to be broken."

December 4, 2007

Koji Wakamatsu

picture: Koji Wakamatsu
"A true filmmaker doesn't make films from the point of view of those in power. To me, that's a fundamental rule: you have to make films from the perspective of the weak."

August 21, 2007

Masao Adachi

picture: Masao Adachi
"I try to explore the meaning of the words 'terrorism' and 'terrorist'. After 9/11, one of their original implied meanings - 'against the ruling power' - has become corrupted. In my film I refer to the original derivations of the word as it was first used during the French Revolution."

July 1, 2007

Kazuhiro Soda

picture: Kazuhiro Soda
"When I come back to Japan I feel like a foreigner. Almost everything looks fascinating to me."

May 14, 2007

Hiromasa Hirosue

picture: Hiromasa Hirosue
"If we find people that will allow us to do 100% what we want to do, of course I wouldn't mind making a commercial film. But otherwise I will just stick with the independent films."

March 7, 2007

Nobuhiro Yamashita

picture: Nobuhiro Yamashita
"In Osaka everybody called me Nobu on the set, but in Tokyo I am 'Mr. Director'."

January 16, 2007

Rinko Kikuchi

picture: Rinko Kikuchi
"There isn't really a system of auditions in Japan. That's why there's a lot of typecasting going on."

December 29, 2006

Katsuhiro Otomo

picture: Katsuhiro Otomo
"I don't mind if somebody else adapts one of my manga. I don't like repeating myself, and I feel that adapting my own manga is essentially repeating something I've already done once before."

November 20, 2006

Satoshi Kon

picture: Satoshi Kon
"I don't feel I'm a representative of Japan at all, nor that I'm representing myself. I represent the film and the staff of 100 or 200 people behind it."

October 13, 2006

Takashi Yamazaki

picture: Takashi Yamazaki
"Always isn't really about the past, but the future. People need to take control of their lives. I want people to do that. I made the film for those reasons."

September 13, 2006

Noriyoshi Ikeya

picture: Noriyoshi Ikeya
"There is one type of set designer that builds the set according to the director's wishes. But that's not my way. I'm interested in an exchange of ideas between me and the director."

June 8, 2006

Shunichi Nagasaki

picture: Shunichi Nagasaki
"I've told myself that it would be good to do these genre movies the way the producer wants and then I would have a lot of work, but somehow I always deviate from that."

May 3, 2006

Kankuro Kudo

picture: Kankuro Kudo
"I like to confuse the audience: they're laughing one moment and then the next they suddenly need to get serious. I like to keep them on their toes and not give them any chance to get bored."

March 7, 2006

Eiko Tanaka

picture: Eiko Tanaka
"We're an animation company and we're really interested in putting out anything that falls into the category of animation. We'll do anything that we think sounds interesting."

January 22, 2006

Yoshinori Chiba

picture: Yoshinori Chiba
"Out of all the V-cinema movies that were made in the 1990s, 80 percent were junk."

December 20, 2005

Norio Tsuruta

picture: Norio Tsuruta
"When I saw Ring, I thought 'This looks exactly like what I've been doing!'"

November 22, 2005

Kohei Oguri

picture: Kohei Oguri
"There is no human emotion left in the image that we see of Japan today."

October 24, 2005

Shinji Aoyama

picture: Shinji Aoyama
"I want to make a comedy, but it never happens. I wonder if there's something in me that's stopping this?"

September 21, 2005

Kunihiko Tomioka

picture: Kunihiko Tomioka
"The idea is to encourage these new young filmmakers with the same chance to direct their first works as I did with Yamashita and Kumakiri."

August 25, 2005

Jo Shishido & Toshio Masuda

picture: Jo Shishido & Toshio Masuda
"The people who went to see Toei films liked yakuza movies, but people who went to see Nikkatsu films came for the drama."

July 25, 2005

Lee Sang-il

picture: Lee Sang-il
"I learned filmmaking from analysing my favourite directors. I don't feel I learned all that much at film school."

June 15, 2005

Sogo Ishii

picture: Sogo Ishii
"To get the aggression across on screen I really had to get in there and be really energetic in my use of the camera. My formula was that I had to be ten times as energetic in making the film than what I wanted to express on screen."

May 11, 2005

Go Shibata

picture: Go Shibata
"Wouldn't it be interesting to see a film about a handicapped killer?"

April 12, 2005

Ryuichi Hiroki

picture: Ryuichi Hiroki
"Most people can't go to pink theatres, for various reasons, so I wanted to do things the other way round - to bring pink film to the people."

March 6, 2005

Shinji Aramaki

picture: Shinji Aramaki
"I believe that Appleseed is spiritually in line with anime in general. It is, in a sense, a new type of animation."

January 28, 2005

Teruo Ishii

picture: Teruo Ishii
"When people refer to filmmaking as my job I'm always a bit embarrassed, because I don't consider what I do as anything more than having a great time."

November 29, 2004

Kihachiro Kawamoto

picture: Kihachiro Kawamoto
"There's no such thing as doll animation."

November 1, 2004

Makoto Shinozaki

picture: Makoto Shinozaki
"We wanted to see if Shinji Aoyama could make a funny movie!"

September 23, 2004

Mamoru Oshii

picture: Mamoru Oshii
"My goal is to always make a new movie that nobody has ever seen before. I think I've proven that with Innocence."

August 4, 2004

Katsuhito Ishii

picture: Katsuhito Ishii
"I felt it would be nice to make a family story in which no big tragic moments happen."

June 28, 2004

Hirokazu Kore-eda

picture: Hirokazu Kore-eda
"I used to think that documentary-style filmmaking was impossible in fiction because everything is already set down in the screenplay and the storyboards."

May 17, 2004

Ryuhei Kitamura

picture: Ryuhei Kitamura
"I'll do whatever it takes to make my films. That's the difference between me and other directors."

April 15, 2004

Tomorowo Taguchi

picture: Tomorowo Taguchi
"What my films have in common is that they are all very strange."

March 10, 2004

Nobuhiro Yamashita

picture: Nobuhiro Yamashita
"It's the people who are different from the norm who interest me, and especially if they don't realise that they are different."

February 16, 2004

Yudai Yamaguchi

picture: Yudai Yamaguchi
"I wanted to see people saying 'This is just too silly! It can't happen!'"

December 8, 2003

Donald Richie

picture: Donald Richie
"I've been married to Japan for a long time."

November 5, 2003

Takeshi Kitano

picture: Takeshi Kitano
"It's a bit like a gourmet chef with a very classy restaurant but no customers, who is asked to cook cheaper, more popular food and suddenly sees people lining up to eat."

October 6, 2003

Kitaro Kosaka

picture: Kitaro Kosaka
"I find it very admirable if people show the strength to try and achieve something, regardless of whether they succeed or not. But this spirit is something that I feel is missing in the attitude of today's Japanese people."

August 20, 2003

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

picture: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
"I consciously tried to make a non-genre film, but I knew that perceptive viewers would clearly recognise it as a monster movie."

July 1, 2003

Yusuke Iseya & Takamasa Kameishi

picture: Yusuke Iseya & Takamasa Kameishi
"We are responsibly irresponsible."

April 23, 2003

Takahisa Zeze

picture: Takahisa Zeze
"Young women in Japan are a lot more open about sex these days. There are a lot more scenes in pink films now that show the women on top of the guys."

March 10, 2003

Tomoyuki Furumaya

picture: Tomoyuki Furumaya
"If I told you that I wanted to make a film but couldn't, that would sound better. But actually I didn't have any intention of making a film."

October 23, 2002

Shinya Tsukamoto

picture: Shinya Tsukamoto
"I always wanted to make a film in which every image is infused with eroticism. A totally erotic film. Even Tetsuo I made with that idea in mind."

September 9, 2002

Yutaka Tsuchiya & Karin Amamiya

picture: Yutaka Tsuchiya & Karin Amamiya
"If society is stagnant, you should take action yourself and deal with that stagnancy as an issue."

August 13, 2002

Katsuyuki Motohiro

picture: Katsuyuki Motohiro
"For me it was important from the start to make commercial films, films for big audiences."

June 24, 2002

Tadanobu Asano

picture: Tadanobu Asano
"I think my life would be no fun at all if I just had to act."

May 23, 2002

Ryosuke Hashiguchi

picture: Ryosuke Hashiguchi
"My mother still thinks that I will grow breasts one day."

April 22, 2002

Shunichi Nagasaki

picture: Shunichi Nagasaki
"When I explained to the actors what their characters were about, I didn't tell them they would become lovers in the end."

March 18, 2002

Kazushi Watanabe

picture: Kazushi Watanabe
"By playing the lead role as well as directing I could get paid more."

February 11, 2002

Satoshi Kon

picture: Satoshi Kon
"Female characters are easier to write. With a male character I can only see the bad aspects. Because I am a man I know very well what a male character is thinking."

January 7, 2002

Hayao Miyazaki

picture: Hayao Miyazaki
"I’m not a storyteller, I’m a man who draws pictures."

November 21, 2001

Akihiko Shiota

picture: Akihiko Shiota
"If you want to describe the problems of Japanese society today, teenagers are a fitting symbol. It's always them who are confronted with those problems."

October 11, 2001

Seijun Suzuki

picture: Seijun Suzuki
"In my films, time and place are nonsense."

September 21, 2001

John Williams

picture: John Williams
"There are plenty of interesting stories to be told about everyday people in ordinary situations. Where are the filmmakers who want to do this? Where are the Mike Leighs and Ken Loachs of Japan?"

August 15, 2001

Masato Harada

picture: Masato Harada
"What we need in Japan right now, in every sense, is taboo breakers."

July 24, 2001

Sogo Ishii

picture: Sogo Ishii
"Everyone in Japan just complained that they didn't understand my films."

July 3, 2001

Kazuyoshi Kumakiri

picture: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
"I liberated my own desires for violence and tried to open the inside of my mind to let out all the poison. And it's all there in the film."

May 1, 2001

Takashi Miike

picture: Takashi Miike
"I'd like to throw away the idea of having to shoot a certain way for it to end up as a real film."

April 9, 2001

Kinji Fukasaku

picture: Kinji Fukasaku
"I am fully aware that there is a generation gap between where I stand and where those kids stand."

March 20, 2001

Makoto Shinozaki

picture: Makoto Shinozaki
"In a way film may be the most limiting medium of all."

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

picture: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
"If you only make one film a year in Japan, it's very difficult to stay alive."



Film Reviews

Latest Film Reviews

3 September 2012
picture: 'Triangle'

Triangle

2010
3 September 2012
picture: 'Guilty of Romance'
3 September 2012
picture: 'All About Marriage'

Index

TitleOriginal titleYearDirector
19192001WATANABE, Kazushi
5 Centimeters Per SecondByosoku 5 Senchimetoru2007SHINKAI, Makoto
8000 MilesSR Saitama no Rappa2009IRIE, Yu
9 SoulsNain Souruzu2003TOYODA, Toshiaki
AA1998MORI, Tatsuya
A-HomansuA-Homansu1986MATSUDA, Yusaku
Abnormal FamilyHentai Kazoku Aniki no Yomesan1983SUO, Masayuki
Actor’s Revenge, AnYukinojo Henge1962ICHIKAWA, Kon
Adrift in TokyoTenten2007MIKI, Satoshi
AegisBokoku no Aegis2005SAKAMOTO, Junji
Africa StoryAfurika Monogatari1981HANI, Susumu
Ain’t No TomorrowsOretachi ni Asu wa Naissu2008TANADA, Yuki
Air DollKuki Ningyo2009KOREEDA, Hirokazu
Akechi Kogoro vs. The Fiend With Twenty FacesAkechi Kogoro tai Kaijin Niju Menso2002FUKUSAWA, Katsuo
All About MarriageKekkon no Subete1958OKAMOTO, Kihachi
All Night LongAll Night Long1992MATSUMURA, Katsuya
All Night Long 2All Night Long 21994MATSUMURA, Katsuya
All Night Long 3All Night Long 3 Saishu Sho1996MATSUMURA, Katsuya
Alone Across the PacificTaiheiyo Hitoribotchi1963ICHIKAWA, Kon
AndromediaAndromedia1998MIIKE, Takashi
Animal Treasure IslandDoubutsu Takarajima1971IKEDA, Hiroshi
Annyong KimcheeAnnyon Kimuchi1999MATSUE, Tetsuaki
AppleseedAppurushido2004ARAMAKI, Shinji
AssassinationAnsatsu1964SHINODA, Masahiro
AuditionOdishon1999MIIKE, Takashi
August in the WaterMizu no naka no Hachigatsu1995ISHII, Sogo
Autumn AdagioFuwaku no Adagio2009INOUE, Tsuki
Autumn Afternoon, AnSanma no Aji1962OZU, Yasujiro
AvalonAvalon2000OSHII, Mamoru
AzumiAzumi2003KITAMURA, Ryuhei
Bad BoysFuryo Shonen1959, 1961HANI, Susumu
Bad CompanyMabudachi2001FURUMAYA, Tomoyuki
Bambi Bone
2005SHIBUTANI, Noriko
Barefoot GenHadashi no Gen1983MORI, Masaki
BashingBasshingu2005KOBAYASHI, Masahiro
Battle RoyaleBatoru Rowaiaru2000FUKASAKU, Kinji
Battle Royale II: RequiemBatoru Rowaiaru II Rekuiemu2003FUKASAKU, Kenta; FUKASAKU, Kinji
Battlefield BaseballJigoku Koshien2003YAMAGUCHI, Yudai
Be Sure to ShareChanto Tsutaeru2009SONO, Sion
Big Bang Love, Juvenile A46-oku Nen no Koi2006MIIKE, Takashi
Black AngelKuro no Tenshi Vol. 11997ISHII, Takashi
Black BeltKuro Obi2007NAGASAKI, Shunichi
Black RainKuroi Ame1989IMAMURA, Shohei
Black SnowKuroi Yuki1965TAKECHI, Tetsuji
Black Tight KillersOre ni Sawaru to Abunaize1966HASEBE, Yasuharu
Blessing Bell, TheKofuku no Kane2002SABU
Blind Beast, TheMoju1969MASUMURA, Yasuzo
Blind Woman’s Curse, TheKaidan Nobori Ryu1970ISHII, Teruo
Blood and BonesChi to Hone2004SAI, Yoichi
Blood BrothersRyuko Kyodai2002OZAWA, Hitoshi
BlueBlue2003ANDO, Hiroshi
Blue SpringAoi Haru2001TOYODA, Toshiaki
Book of the Dead, TheShisha no Sho2005KAWAMOTO, Kihachiro
Bounce Ko GalsBounce Ko Gals1997HARADA, Masato
Branded to KillKoroshi no Rakuin1967SUZUKI, Seijun
Brave StoryBrave Story2006CHIGIRA, Koichi
Bright FutureAkarui Mirai2003KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Bubble Fiction: Boom or BustBubble e Go: Time Machine wa Doramu-shiki2006BABA, Yasuo
Buried Forest, TheUmoregi2005OGURI, Kohei
Burst CityBakuretsu Toshi Burst City1982ISHII, Sogo
By a Man’s Face Shall You Know HimOtoko no Kao wa Rirekisho1966KATO, Tai
CanaryKanaria2005SHIOTA, Akihiko
Carmen Comes HomeKarumen Kyo ni Kaeru1951KINOSHITA, Keisuke
Carnival of the NightYami no Carnival1983YAMAMOTO, Masashi
Casshernkyashan2004KIRIYA, Kazuaki
Cat Returns, TheNeko no Ongaeshi2002MORITA, Hiroyuki
Catch, TheGyoei no Mure1983SOMAI, Shinji
CharismaKarisuma1999KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Chase, TheHarikomi1957NOMURA, Yoshitaro
Chinese DinnerChainizu Dina2001TSUTSUMI, Yukihiko
City of Lost Souls, TheHyoryugai2000MIIKE, Takashi
Collected Works of Tadanari Okamoto, TheOkamoto Tadanori Sakuhin Shu1965OKAMOTO, Tadanari
ConcentKonsento2002NAKAHARA, Shun
CowardChinpira2000MOCHIZUKI, Rokuro
Crazy Thunder RoadKuruizaki Sanda Rodo1980ISHII, Sogo
Crest of BetrayalChushingura Gaiden Yotsuya Kaidan1994FUKASAKU, Kinji
Crimson Bat – Blind Swordswoman, TheMekura no Oichi Monogatari Makka na Nagaredori1969MATSUDA, Sadatsugu
CureKyua1997KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Cutie HoneyKyuti Hani2004ANNO, Hideaki
Dagger of KamuiKamui no Ken1985RINTARO
Dark WaterHonogurai Mizu no Soko kara2002NAKATA, Hideo
DaydreamHakujitsumu1981TAKECHI, Tetsuji
Dead or Alive 2Dead or Alive 2 Tobosha2000MIIKE, Takashi
Dead or Alive: Final
2002MIIKE, Takashi
DemonYasha1985FURUHATA, Yasuo
Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker StreetMeitantei Konan Beika Sutorito no Borei2002KODAMA, Kenji
Doing TimeKeimusho no naka2002SAI, Yoichi
Dolls
2002KITANO, Takeshi
Donald Richie Film Anthology, A
1962Richie, Donald
Door to the SeaUmi e no Tobira2010OHASHI, Reiko
DoppelgängerDopperugenga2003KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Drowning Man, AOboreru Hito2002ICHIO, Naoki
DV / Domestic ViolenceDV Domestikku Baiorensu2004NAKAHARA, Shun
Eel, TheUnagi1997IMAMURA, Shohei
Electric Dragon 80,000V
2001ISHII, Sogo
Elegy to ViolenceKenka Erejii1966SUZUKI, Seijun
Eli Eli Lema Sabachtani?Eri Eri Rema Sabakutani2005AOYAMA, Shinji
Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On, TheYukiyukite Shingun1987HARA, Kazuo
Erotic LiaisonsErotikku na Kankei1992WAKAMATSU, Koji
Every Night DreamsYogoto no Yume1933NARUSE, Mikio
Face of Another, TheTanin no Kao1966TESHIGAHARA, Hroshi
Faces of a Fig TreeIchijiku no Kao2007MOMOI, Kaori
Fall GuyKamata Koshin Kyoku1982FUKASAKU, Kinji
False Student, ANise Daigakusei1960MASUMURA, Yasuzo
FamilyFamiri2001MIIKE, Takashi
Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41Joshu Sasori Dai-41 Zakkyobo1972ITO, Shunya
Fighting DelinquentsKutabare Gurentai1960SUZUKI, Seijun
Fighting SoldiersTatakau Heitai1939KAMEI, Fumio
Final Fantasy VII: Advent ChildrenFainaru Fantaji VII Adobento Chirudoren2005NOZUE, Takeshi; NOMURA, Tetsuya
Fine, Totally FineZenzen Daijobu2008FUJITA, Yosuke
Fire FestivalHimatsuri1985YANAGIMACHI, Mitsuo
Firefly DreamsIchiban Utsukushii Natsu2001Williams, John
Fishes in AugustMizu no naka no Hachigatsu1998TAKAHASHI, Yoichiro
Forest With No Name, AShiritsu Tantei Hama Maiku Namae no Nai Mori2002AOYAMA, Shinji
Fried Dragon Fish
1993IWAI, Shunji
Fudoh II: Nohma Strikes Back!Gokudo Sengokushi Fudo 21997FUKUOKA, Yoshihito
Fudoh: The New GenerationGokudo Sengokushi Fudo1996MIIKE, Takashi
Funeral Parade of RosesBara no Soretsu1969MATSUMOTO, Toshio
g@me
2003ISAKA, Minoru
Gaea Girls
2000Williams, Jano; Longinotto, Kim
Gamera 3: Revenge of IrisGamera 3 Irisu kakusai1999KANEKO, Shusuke
Gamera the BraveChiisaki Yusha-tachi Gamera2005TASAKI, Ryuta
Gap in the Skin, AHada no Sukima2004ZEZE, Takahisa
Gate of HellJigokumon1953KINUGASA, Teinosuke
GeminiSoseiji1999TSUKAMOTO, Shinya
Getting Wild With Our MonkeyKemonogare Orera no Saru to2002SUNAGA, Hideaki
GipsGipusu2000SHIOTA, Akihiko
Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai, TheHanai Sachiko no Karei na Shogai2003KURODA, Emi; ITO, Takeshi; MATSUE, Tetsuaki
Go
2001YUKISADA, Isao
God’s PuzzleKamisama no Pazuru2008MIIKE, Takashi
GohattoGohatto1999OSHIMA, Nagisa
GojoeGojo Reisenki2000ISHII, Sogo
Good MorningOhayo1959OZU, Yasujiro
GozuGokudo Kyofu Daigekijo Gozu2003MIIKE, Takashi
Graveyard of HonourShin Jingi no Hakaba2002MIIKE, Takashi
Great Killing, TheDaisatsujin1964KUDO, Eiichi
Guard from Underground, TheJigoku no Keibiin1992KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Guilty of RomanceKoi no Tsumi2011SONO, Sion
Guys from Paradise, TheTengoku kara Kita Otoko-tachi2001MIIKE, Takashi
Hair Opera, TheMohatsu Kageki1992OBITANI, Yuri
Hairpin CircusHeapin Sakasu1972NISHIMURA, Kiyoshi
Half a ConfessionHanochi2004SASABE, Kiyoshi
Hanzo the Razor: Sword of JusticeGoyokiba1972MISUMI, Kenji
Hard Boiled
1997KANAZAWA, Katsuji
Heart, Beating in the Dark – New VersionYamiutsu Shinzo2005NAGASAKI, Shunichi
Her BrotherOtouto1960ICHIKAWA, Kon
History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar HostessNippon Sengoshi Madamu Onboro no Seikatsu1970IMAMURA, Shohei
HitokiriHitokiri1969GOSHA, Hideo
Hole in the SkySora no Ana2001KUMAKIRI, Kazuyoshi
Homeless Student, TheHomuresu Chugakusei2008FURUMAYA, Tomoyuki
Homeless, TheYadonashi1974SAITO, Koichi
Homemade SakeDanchizake2001ONO, Satoshi
Hoodlum SoldierHeitai Yakuza1965MASUMURA, Yasuzo
Horror of Malformed Men, TheEdogawa Rampo Zenshu Kyofu Kikei Ningen1969ISHII, Teruo
Household XKazoku X2011YOSHIDA, Koki
Howl’s Moving CastleHauru no Ugoku Shiro2004MIYAZAKI, Hayao
Human Murder Weapon, ANingen Kyoki Ai to Ikari no Ringu1992MIIKE, Takashi
Humanity and Paper BalloonsNinjo Kami-fusen1937YAMANAKA, Sadao
Hush!Hashu!2001HASHIGUCHI, Ryosuke
I Am an SM WriterFutei no Kisetsu2000HIROKI, Ryuichi
I Saw the KillerKyatsu o Nigasu na1956SUZUKI, Hideo
I Was Born, But…Umarete wa Mitakeredo1932OZU, Yasujiro
Iden & Tity
2003TAGUCHI, Tomorowo
IdentitySekirara2004MATSUE, Tetsuaki
Imprint
2006MIIKE, Takashi
InnocenceInosensu2004OSHII, Mamoru
Intentions of MurderAkai Satsui1964IMAMURA, Shohei
Introspection TowerMikaeri no To1941SHIMIZU, Hiroshi
Inugami
2001HARADA, Masato
Isn’t Anyone Alive?Ikiteru Mono wa Inainoka2012ISHII, Gakuryu
It’s Only TalkYawarakai Seikatsu2005HIROKI, Ryuichi
Izo
2004MIIKE, Takashi
Jam Films 2
2003TAKAHASHI, Eiki; INOUE, Hide; KOJIMA, Junji; TANGE, Kouki
Japanese DevilsRiben Guizi2001MATSUI, Minoru
Jeans BluesJiinzu Burusu Asunaki Buraiha1974NAKAJIMA, Sadao
Jigoku
1960NAKAGAWA, Nobuo
Jirokichi the RatOatsurae Jirokichi Koshi1931ITO, Daisuke
Josee, The Tiger and the FishJoze to Tora to Sakanatachi2003INUDO, Isshin
Journey to the WestSaiyuki1960SHIRAKAWA, Daisaku; TEZUKA, Osamu; YABUSHITA, Taiji
Jubaku – SpellboundKinyu Fushoku Retto Jubaku1999HARADA, Masato
Juon
2002SHIMIZU, Takashi
Juon 2
2003SHIMIZU, Takashi
Kakera – A Piece of Our LifeKakera2009ANDO, Momoko
Kakuto
2002ISEYA, Yusuke
Kamikaze GirlsShimotsuma Monogatari2004NAKASHIMA, Tetsuya
Kamikaze TaxiFukushu no Tenshi Kamikaze Taxi1995HARADA, Masato
Kanikosen
2009SABU
Karaoke TerrorShowa Kayo Daizenshu2003SHINOHARA, Tetsuo
Kenya BoyShonen Keniya1984OBAYASHI, Nobuhiko
KikujiroKikujiro no Natsu1999KITANO, Takeshi
Kill!Kiru1968OKAMOTO, Kihachi
Koi no Mon: Otakus in LoveKoi no Mon2004MATSUO, Suzuki
KokkuriKokkuri-san1997ZEZE, Takahisa
KwaidanKaidan1965KOBAYASHI, Masaki
Labyrinth of DreamsYume no Ginga1997ISHII, Sogo
Lady OscarBerusaiyu no Bara1979Demy, Jacques
Lake of DraculaNoroi no Yakata Chi o Suu Me1971YAMAMOTO, Michio
Late BloomerOsoi Hito2004SHIBATA, Go
License to LiveNingen Gokaku1999KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Linda Linda Linda
2005YAMASHITA, Nobuhiro
Little BirdsRitoru Bazu Iraku Senka no Kazoku-tachi2004WATAI, Takeharu
Little WingYumeno2005YAMADA, Yoshitaka
Live TapeRaibu Tepu2010MATSUE, Tetsuaki
Live Today, Die TomorrowHadaka no Jukyusai1970SHINDO, Kaneto
Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn, AChikan Gifu Musuko no Yome to...2003GOTO, Daisuke
Love / Juice
2000SHINDO, Kaze
Love and HonorBushi no Ichibun2006YAMADA, Yoji
Love Letter
1995IWAI, Shunji
Maiko Haaaan!!!
2007MIZUTA, Nobuo
Maison de HimikoMezon do Himiko2005INUDO, Isshin
Makioka Sisters, TheSasameyuki1983ICHIKAWA, Kon
Malice@Doll
2001MOTONAGA, Keitaro
MandalaMandara1971JISSOJI, Akio
MARKSMakusu no Yama1995SAI, Yoichi
Marronnier
2004KOBAYASHI, Hideyuki
Matango
1963HONDA, Ishiro
Matsugane Potshot Affair, TheMatsugane Ransha Jiken2006YAMASHITA, Nobuhiro
Memories of MatsukoKiraware Matsuko no Issho2006NAKASHIMA, Tetsuya
Mermaid in the Manhole, TheZa Ginipiggu Manhoru no naka no Ningyo1991HINO, Hideshi
Midori – The Girl in the Freak ShowShojo Tsubaki1992HARADA, Hiroshi
Millennium ActressSennen Joyu2002KON, Satoshi
Mirrored MindKyoshin2004ISHII, Sogo
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
1985Schrader, Paul
MiyokoMiyoko Asagaya Kibun2009TSUBOTA, Yoshifumi
Monument to the Girls’ CorpsAa Himeyuri no To1968MASUDA, Toshio
Moon and CherryTsuki to Cherri2005TANADA, Yuki
Moon Child
2003ZEZE, Takahisa
Moonlight WhispersGekko no Sasayaki1999SHIOTA, Akihiko
Mr. Thank YouArigatou-san1936SHIMIZU, Hiroshi
Mt. Head – Koji Yamamura Animation WorksAtama Yama Yamamura Koji Sakuhinshu2006YAMAMURA, Koji
My HouseBokunchi2002SAKAMOTO, Junji
Mysterians, TheChikyu Boeigun1957HONDA, Ishiro
Nagisa
2000KONUMA, Masaru
Naked of DefensesMubobi2008ICHII, Masahide
Nana
2005OTANI, Kentaro
Nanami, First LoveHatsukoi Jigokuhen1968HANI, Susumu
NanayoNanayomachi2008KAWASE, Naomi
Nasu: Summer in AndalusiaNasu Andarushia no Matsu2003KOSAKA, Kitaro
NegotiatorKoshonin Mashita Masayoshi2005MOTOHIRO, Katsuyuki
Neighbour #13, TheRinjin 13-go2005INOUE, Yasuo
Never Give UpYasei no Shomei1978SATO, Junya
New God, TheAtarashii Kamisama1999TSUCHIYA, Yutaka
Nightmare DetectiveAkumu Tantei2006TSUKAMOTO, Shinya
No One’s ArkBaka no Hakobune2002YAMASHITA, Nobuhiro
Nobody KnowsDaremo Shiranai2004KOREEDA, Hirokazu
Noisy RequiemTsuito no Zawameki1988MATSUI, Yoshihiko
Noriko’s Dinner TableNoriko no Shokutaku2006SONO, Sion
Norwegian WoodNoruwei no Mori2010Hung, Tran Anh
Not ForgottenWasurerarenu Hitobito2000SHINOZAKI, Makoto
Now, I…Ima Boku wa2008CHIKUMA, Yasutomo
Oiran
1983TAKECHI, Tetsuji
Okaeri
1995SHINOZAKI, Makoto
Outsiders, TheMori to Mizuumi no Matsuri1958UCHIDA, Tomu
Panic High SchoolKoko Dai Panikku1978ISHII, Sogo; SAWADA, Yukihiro
PaprikaPapurika2006KON, Satoshi
Party 7
2001ISHII, Katsuhito
Patlabor 1: Mobile PoliceKido Keisatsu Patoreba The Movie1989OSHII, Mamoru
PatriotismYukoku1966MISHIMA, Yukio
Peep “TV” Show
2003TSUCHIYA, Yutaka
Perfect BluePafekuto Buru1998KON, Satoshi
Perfect Blue – Yume Nara SametePerfect Blue Yume nara Samete2002SATO, Toshiki
Perfect Education, AKanzen Naru Shi-iku1999WADA, Ben
Ping PongPinpon2002MASURI, Fumihiko
Pistol OperaPisutoru Opera2001SUZUKI, Seijun
Pokemon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes BackPokemon1999YUYAMA, Kunihiko
PompokoHeisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko1994TAKAHATA, Isao
PornostarPorunosta1998TOYODA, Toshiaki
Primitchibu World, ThePurimichibu na Sekai2009HIRAOKA, Kasumi
Princess in an Iron HelmetKorogare! Tamako2006SHINDO, Kaze
Profound Desires of the GodsKamigami no Fukaki Yokubo1968IMAMURA, Shohei
PulseKairo2001KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Pyuupiru 2001 – 2008Pyuupiru2009MATSUNAGA, Daishi
Rain FallRein Foru Ame no Kibe2009Mannix, Max
RamblersRiarizumu no Yado2003YAMASHITA, Nobuhiro
RampoRampo1994OKUYAMA, Kazuyoshi
Rampo NoirRanpo Jigoku2005JISSOJI, Akio; KANEKO, Atsushi; SATO, Hisayasu; TAKEUCHI, Suguru
Ravaged House, TheTadareta Ie Zoroku no Kibyo2004KUMAKIRI, Kazuyoshi
Red AngelAkai Tenshi1966MASUMURA, Yasuzo
Red RestraintAkai Sokubaku2005KARATSU, Masaki
Red ShadowAkakage2001NAKANO, Hiroyuki
RepastMeshi1951NARUSE, Mikio
ReturnerRitana2002YAMAZAKI, Takashi
Ring, TheRingu1997NAKATA, Hideo
RockersRokkazu2003JINNAI, Takanori
S&M HunterKinbaku SM 18-sai1986KATAOKA, Shuji
S-94
2009FUKUI, Shozin
Sakuran
2007NINAGAWA, Mika
Samurai CommandoSengoku Jieitai 15492005TEZUKA, Masaaki
Samurai FictionSF Samurai Fikushon1998NAKANO, Hiroyuki
Samurai RebellionJoiuchi Hairyo Tsuma Shimatsu1967KOBAYASHI, Masaki
Samurai SpyIbun Sarutobi Sasuke1965SHINODA, Masahiro
Sayon’s BellSayon no Kane1943SHIMIZU, Hiroshi
Scene at the Sea, AAno Natsu Ichiban Shizuku na Umi1991KITANO, Takeshi
School of the Holy BeastSeiju Gakuen1974SUZUKI, Norifumi
ScoreSukoa1995MUROGA, Atsushi
ScoutmanPain2000ISHIOKA, Masato
Sea Is Watching, TheUmi wa Miteita2002KUMAI, Kei
SeanceKorei2000KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Secrets of a Court MasseurShiranui Kengyo1960MORI, Kazuo
Serpent’s PathHebi no Michi1998KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Shadow HuntersKagegari1972MASUDA, Toshio
Shall We Dance?Shall We Dansu?1996SUO, Masayuki
Shikoku
1999NAGASAKI, Shunichi
Shisei: The TattooerShisei2006SATO, Hisayasu
Shock Labyrinth 3DSenritsu Meikyu 3D2009SHIMIZU, Takashi
Shogun’s Joy of TortureTokugawa Onna Keibatsushi1968ISHII, Teruo
Shojo
2001OKUDA, Eiji
SilverShiruba1999MIIKE, Takashi
Sixty Nine69 Sixty Nine2004LEE, Sang-il
Snake of June, ARokugatsu no Hebi2002TSUKAMOTO, Shinya
Soup One Morning, TheAru Asa Supu wa2004TAKAHASHI, Izumi
Space TravelersSpesu Toraberazu2000MOTOHIRO, Katsuyuki
Spirited AwaySen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi2001MIYAZAKI, Hayao
Splatter: Naked BloodMegyaku Akuma no Yorokobi1996SATO, Hisayasu
Star of David: Beauty HuntingDabide no Hoshi Bishojogari1979SUZUKI, Norifumi
Starfish HotelSutafishu Hoteru2006Williams, John
SteamboySuchimuboi2004OTOMO, Katsuhiro
Stereo FutureStereo Future SF Episode 20022001NAKANO, Hiroyuki
Still WalkingAruitemo Aruitemo2008KOREEDA, Hirokazu
Story of Sorrow and SadnessHishu Monogatari1977SUZUKI, Seijun
Story of Wu Fong, TheGijin Goho1932ANDO, Taro; CHIBA, Yasuki
Strange CircusKimyo na Sakasu2006SONO, Sion
Stranger from Afar, TheMarebito2004SHIMIZU, Takashi
Strawberry ShortcakesSutoroberri Shotokeikusu2006YAZAKI, Hitoshi
Stray Cat Rock: Sex HunterNoraneko Rokku Sekkusu Hanta1970HASEBE, Yasuharu
Stray DogNora Inu1949KUROSAWA, Akira
Suicide ClubJisatsu Sakuru2001SONO, Sion
Sukiyaki Western Django
2007MIIKE, Takashi
Summer Time Machine BluesSama Taimu Mashin Burusu2005MOTOHIRO, Katsuyuki
Sun ScarredTaiyo no Kizu2006MIIKE, Takashi
Sunday’s DreamNichiyobi wa Owaranai1999TAKAHASHI, Yoichiro
SwayYureru2006NISHIKAWA, Miwa
Sweet HomeSuito Homu1989KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Sword of the BeastKedamono no Ken1965GOSHA, Hideo
Sword of VengeanceKozure Okami Ko o Kashi Ude Kashi Tsukamatsuru1972MISUMI, Kenji
Swords in the MoonlightDaibosatsu Toge1957UCHIDA, Tomu
Takashi Ito’s Film WorksIto Takashi Eiga Sakuhin-shu1980ITO, Takashi
Taro the Dragon BoyTatsu no Ko Taro1979URAYAMA, Kirio
Taste of Tea, TheCha no Aji2004ISHII, Katsuhito
Tekkon KinkreetTekkon Kinkrito2006Arias, Michael
Tel-ClubNatsi ni Umareru1999MURAKAMI, Kenji
Tender Place, AYawaraka na Ho2000NAGASAKI, Shunichi
Tetsuo: The Bullet ManTetsuo the Bullet Man2010TSUKAMOTO, Shinya
Tetsuo: The Iron ManTetsuo1989TSUKAMOTO, Shinya
Thinking and Drawing: Japanese Art Animation of the New MillenniumShinkingu Ando Doroingu Nihon no Shinseiki Ato Animeshon2005OYAMA, Kei; SEIKE, Mika; TSUJI, Naoyuki; IKI, Norihiko; NOGAMI, Suwami; ISHIDA, Takashi; KURASHIGE, Tetsuji
This Transient LifeMujo1970JISSOJI, Akio
TokarevTokarefu1994SAKAMOTO, Junji
Tokyo GodfathersTokyo Goddofazasu2003KON, Satoshi
Tokyo Sonata
2008KUROSAWA, Kiyoshi
Tokyo Trash BabyTokyo Gomi Onna2000HIROKI, Ryuichi
TomieTomie1998OIKAWA, Ataru
Tony TakitaniToni Takitani2004ICHIKAWA, Jun
Train ManDensha Otoko2005MURAKAMI, Shosuke
Tree Without LeavesRakuyoju1986SHINDO, Kaneto
TriangleSankaku2010YOSHIDA, Keisuke
Triple Cross, TheItsuka Gira-gira Suru Hi1992FUKASAKU, Kinji
TsumugiSeifuku Bishojo Sensei Atashi o Daite2004TAKAHARA, Hidekazu
Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast SwimmersKame wa Igai to Hayaku Oyogu2005MIKI, Satoshi
Twilight SamuraiTasogare Seibei2003YAMADA, Yoji
UbumeUbume no Natsu2005JISSOJI, Akio
Umineko – InseparableUmineko2004MORITA, Yoshimitsu
Umizaru
2004HASUMI, Eiichiro
United Red ArmyJitsuroku Rengo Sekigun Asama-sanso e no Michi2008WAKAMATSU, Koji
Urusei Yatsura: Only YouUrusei Yatsura Onri Yu1983OSHII, Mamoru
Uzumaki
2000HIGUCHINSKY
Vengeance Is MineFukushu Suru wa Ware ni Ari1979IMAMURA, Shohei
Versus
2000KITAMURA, Ryuhei
VibratorVaibureta2003HIROKI, Ryuichi
VirusFukkatsu no Hi1980FUKASAKU, Kinji
Visitor QBijita Q2001MIIKE, Takashi
VitalVitaru2004TSUKAMOTO, Shinya
Vortex & Others: 5 Short Works by Yoshihiro ItoFukanshu Gemu, Imajinari Rain, Kachu no Hito, Sanma no Hi, Umeshinju2008ITO, Yoshihiro
Walking with the DogInu to Arukeba Chirori to Tamura2004SHINOZAKI, Makoto
Warm Water Under a Red BridgeAkai Hashi no Shita no Nurui Mizu2001IMAMURA, Shohei
Warped Ones, TheKyonetsu no Kisetsu1960KURAHARA, Koreyoshi
Watcher in the AtticEdogawa Rampo Ryokikan Yaneura no Sanposha1976TANAKA, Noboru
Whisper of the HeartMimi o Sumaseba1995KONDO, Yoshifumi
Whispering of the Gods, TheGerumaniumu no Yoru2005OMORI, Tatsushi
Wicked CityYoju Toshi1987KAWAJIRI, Yoshiaki
Wild Zero
1999TAKEUCHI, Tetsuro
Winter DaysFuyu no Hi2003KAWAMOTO, Kihachiro
Wolves, TheShussho Iwai1971GOSHA, Hideo
Woman Called Abe Sada, AJitsuroku Abe Sada1975TANAKA, Noboru
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Woman Is Heard, AKikareta Onna2007YAMAMOTO, Masashi
Woman of WaterMizu no Onna2002SUGIMORI, Hidenori
Yaji and Kita: The Midnight PilgrimsMayonaka no Yaji-san Kita-san2005KUDO, Kankuro
Yakuza’s Law: Lynching!, TheYakuza Keibatsushi Rinchi1969ISHII, Teruo
Year One in the NorthKita no Zero-nen2005YUKISADA, Isao
Yoshino’s Barber ShopBaba Yoshino2004OGIGAMI, Naoko
Yuriko’s AromaYuriko no Aroma2010YOSHIDA, Kota
Zatoichi
2003KITANO, Takeshi
Zebraman 2Zeburaman Zebura Shiti no Gyakushu2010MIIKE, Takashi
Zegen
1987IMAMURA, Shohei
Zero Woman: Red HandcuffsZero-ka no Onna Akai Wappa1974NODA, Yukio
ZipangJipangu1992HAYASHI, Kaizo




Features

September 3, 2012

The Lone Wolf Legacy, Part 1 – Baby Cart in Purgatory, or: Lone Wolf on TV

picture: The Lone Wolf Legacy, Part 1 – Baby Cart in Purgatory, or: Lone Wolf on TV
The first installment in Tom Mes's three-part trek in the footsteps of Lone Wolf and Cub, post-Baby Cart.

Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema

picture: Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema
An exclusive spotlight on Jasper Sharp's brand new, indispensable reference work.

January 1, 2012

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2011

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2011
Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp weigh in with their pros and cons of the year 2011.

September 1, 2011

Japanese Independent Cinema Travels to Toronto: The 3rd Shinsedai Cinema Festival

picture: Japanese Independent Cinema Travels to Toronto: The 3rd Shinsedai Cinema Festival
Marc Saint-Cyr reports from the 2011 edition of Canada's showcase for the vital Japanese indie scene.

May 13, 2011

Post-Human Nightmares – The World of Japanese Cyberpunk Cinema

picture: Post-Human Nightmares – The World of Japanese Cyberpunk Cinema
From Sogo Ishii to Yoshihiro Nishimura, by way of Akira and Tetsuo - cyberpunk remains a vital genre in Japanese film. An in-depth exploration by Mark Player.

March 14, 2011

The Independent Spirit of CALF and the Rise of Alternative Anime

picture: The Independent Spirit of CALF and the Rise of Alternative Anime
The past decade has seen the rise of a new generation of independent animators in Japan. Catherine Munroe Hotes explores the lay of the land.

January 20, 2011

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2010

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2010
The makers of Midnight Eye reveal their favourites and dislikes in Japanese cinema of the year 2010.

The Best of 2010 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2010 – Poll Results
You, the Midnight Eye readers, have spoken... These Japanese films are your favourites of the year 2010.

September 30, 2010

Criminal Dance: The Early Films of Butoh Master Tatsumi Hijikata

picture: Criminal Dance: The Early Films of Butoh Master Tatsumi Hijikata
Chris MaGee chronicles the cinematic legacy of butoh dance pioneer Tatsumi Hijikata, who worked with Donald Richie, Takahiko Iimura and Teruo Ishii among others.

June 1, 2010

Yasuzo Masumura: Passion and Excess

picture: Yasuzo Masumura: Passion and Excess
Tom Mes dissects the twisted works of Yasuzo Masumura, director of The Blind Beast, Red Angel and Giants and Toys, and a key influences on Japan's new wave.

March 29, 2010

Midnight Eye’s Best of the Decade

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best of the Decade
The makers of Midnight Eye bring you their best ten Japanese films from the first decade of the 21st century.

The Best of the Decade – Poll Results

picture: The Best of the Decade – Poll Results
Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese film of the decade.

January 25, 2010

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2009

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2009
Our contributors give you their likes and dislikes of the past year in Japanese film.

The Best of 2009 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2009 – Poll Results
The votes are in! And the winner is...

November 10, 2009

Nobuhiko Obayashi, Vagabond of Time

picture: Nobuhiko Obayashi, Vagabond of Time
In Japan, he is the director of such perennial favorites as House and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. In the rest of the world, he is all but unknown. Join us in discovering the unique world of a stylish, fascinating, versatile filmmaker. By Paul Roquet.

August 25, 2009

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 3: The Seiten Films

picture: A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 3: The Seiten Films
Roland Domenig delivers the third chapter in his in-depth history of the Japanese sex education film.

July 13, 2009

Yubari Hangs Steadily On

picture: Yubari Hangs Steadily On
In its second year after rising from its ashes, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival confirms its importance in discovering new talent. Includes an interview with director Tsuki Inoue. By Eija Niskanen

February 5, 2009

The Best of 2008 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2008 – Poll Results
The votes are in! And the winner is...

February 2, 2009

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2008

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2008
The new year wouldn't be the new year without the traditional best and worst lists from our contributors.

December 15, 2008

Jun Ichikawa – An Appreciation

picture: Jun Ichikawa – An Appreciation
Mark Schilling pays tribute to director Jun Ichikawa, director of Tony Takitani, Tokyo Marigold and many others, who died September 19, 2008.

August 22, 2008

Behind the Pink Curtain

picture: Behind the Pink Curtain
An in-depth and exclusive spotlight on Behind the Pink Curtain, the groundbreaking book by Jasper Sharp.

June 17, 2008

Go! Go! Yubari

picture: Go! Go! Yubari
Tom Mes sends a postcard from the resurrection of one of Asia's finest festivals, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.

May 17, 2008

Tomoyasu Murata and Company

picture: Tomoyasu Murata and Company
A profile of one of Japan's most original animators, with a complete filmography. By Catherine Munroe Hotes.

January 18, 2008

The Best of 2007 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2007 – Poll Results
The votes are in! And the winner is...

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2007

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2007
It's that time again. We put our heads together to bring you our favourite and and not-so-favourite Japanese films of the past year.

May 14, 2007

Eiichi Kudo’s Guerrilla Filmmaking

picture: Eiichi Kudo’s Guerrilla Filmmaking
Robin Gatto shines a much needed light on an obscure master of the chanbara film, Eiichi Kudo, director of The Great Killing and the original 13 Assassins.

March 22, 2007

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 2: The Post-War Years and the Basukon Eiga

picture: A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 2: The Post-War Years and the Basukon Eiga
Roland Domenig continues his trek through the obscure history of the Japanese sex education film, in part 2 of this ongoing series.

February 11, 2007

Mikio Naruse – A Modern Classic

picture: Mikio Naruse – A Modern Classic
Eija Niskanen provides the perfect introduction to the work of this great creator of modest but extremely resonant films.

January 16, 2007

The Best of 2006 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2006 – Poll Results
The readers have spoken. Your favourite Japanese film of 2006 is...

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2006

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2006
The makers of Midnight Eye get together to give your their traditional year-end lists.

December 29, 2006

Company Matsuo and the World of Japanese Adult Video

picture: Company Matsuo and the World of Japanese Adult Video
An in-depth look at the world of the japanese porn industry, guided by one of its most prolific practicioners, Company Matsuo, the master of hamedori. By Johannes Schönherr.

December 1, 2006

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 1: The Pre-War Years

picture: A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 1: The Pre-War Years
Special guest Roland Domenig illuminates another dark corner of Japanese film history, in the first of a four-part series.

October 13, 2006

Pia Film Festival 2006

picture: Pia Film Festival 2006
Eija Niskanen reports from Tokyo's annual platform for new filmmakers and finds that this crucial festival remains as pioneering as ever.

September 29, 2006

Tiger! Tiger! Burning Bright – R.I.P. Tetsuro Tamba, 1922 – 2006

picture: Tiger! Tiger! Burning Bright – R.I.P. Tetsuro Tamba, 1922 – 2006
Ubiquitous yet unique - "Japan's Super Actor" remembered.

September 13, 2006

Nippon Connection’s Anti-Canon

picture: Nippon Connection’s Anti-Canon
Special guest Abé Mark Nornes discusses the importance and significance of Frankfurt's delightful Nippon Connection festival, and what it says about our changing views on Japanese film.

July 11, 2006

Recent Film Policy and the Fate of Film Criticism in Japan

picture: Recent Film Policy and the Fate of Film Criticism in Japan
The Japanese government's attempts to support film may have some adverse effects, as special guest Aaron Gerow observes.

June 8, 2006

Hollywood Japan File

picture: Hollywood Japan File
A hard look at the more obscure recesses of the rich history of foreign films about Japan, packing in low budget film noir, Ed Wood-penned monster movies and Bollywood musicals. By Matt Kaufman.

May 3, 2006

Six Degrees of Kiefer Sutherland: The World of Anime Voice Acting

picture: Six Degrees of Kiefer Sutherland: The World of Anime Voice Acting
Anime authority Jonathan Clements kicks off our series of special guest features, with an odyssey through the weird world of anime voice acting.

March 7, 2006

The Best of 2005 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2005 – Poll Results
Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese film of 2005.

January 22, 2006

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2005

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2005
The Midnight Eye folks present their lists of a year's worth of highs and lows.

December 22, 2005

The Death of J-Horror?

picture: The Death of J-Horror?
It has a rich past and an active present, but what about the future? A descent into the dark waters of Japanese horror film history, by Nicholas Rucka.

Strange Tales of Nobuo Nakagawa

picture: Strange Tales of Nobuo Nakagawa
Jason Gray and Tom Mes explore the length and breadth of the works by Japan's master of the macabre.

November 22, 2005

Light from the Rising Sun: Treasures of Japanese Silent Cinema at Pordenone

picture: Light from the Rising Sun: Treasures of Japanese Silent Cinema at Pordenone
Alexander Jacoby delves into the silent past of Japan's oldest film studio and uncovers rare gems by the likes of Ozu, Shimizu, Naruse and Ito.

October 24, 2005

Remembering Kenji Misumi

picture: Remembering Kenji Misumi
A salute to one of the genre's late masters, as remembered by those who worked with him. By Robin Gatto and Tom Mes.

September 21, 2005

The Pia Film Festival and Jishu Eiga

picture: The Pia Film Festival and Jishu Eiga
A look at the impact and legacy of the PIA Film Festival and Japan's thriving 'jishu eiga' indie scene. By Jasper Sharp.

August 25, 2005

Underground Cinema and the Art Theatre Guild

picture: Underground Cinema and the Art Theatre Guild
A deeper look at the close symbiotic relationship between New Wave bastion ATG and Tokyo's cinematic underground of the 1960s. By Go Hirasawa.

June 15, 2005

Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto

picture: Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto
An exclusive and in-depth spotlight on the book Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto by Tom Mes.

May 11, 2005

The Rise and Fall of Rokuro Mochizuki

picture: The Rise and Fall of Rokuro Mochizuki
Join us as we dive headlong into the sordid world of one of the major Japanese filmmakers of the past decade, who is only just starting to get his due in the West. By Tom Mes.

April 12, 2005

A Tribute to Kihachi Okamoto

picture: A Tribute to Kihachi Okamoto
Midnight Eye salutes the multi-faceted talents of director Kihachi Okamoto - of Sword of Doom, Human Bullet and Red Lion fame - who passed away at the age of 81.

March 6, 2005

The Best of 2004 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2004 – Poll Results
Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese film of 2004 is...

February 28, 2005

Tomu Uchida at Tokyo FILMeX 2004

picture: Tomu Uchida at Tokyo FILMeX 2004
Jasper Sharp, Jason Gray and Tom Mes attended the Tokyo FILMeX festival's groundbreaking retrospective of the fascinating works of Tomu Uchida.

January 28, 2005

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2004

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2004
Our editors and contributors choose their annual likes and dislikes from a year's worth of Japanese films.

November 29, 2004

Japanese Anime and the Animated Cartoon

picture: Japanese Anime and the Animated Cartoon
Anime boom? Globalisation of Japanese pop culture? Anime has been around us for a long, long time. And not just in the vicinity of Tokyo, Michael Arnold argues.

The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film

picture: The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film
An exclusive spotlight on the book The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp.

November 1, 2004

Pioneers of Japanese Animation at PIFan – Part 2

picture: Pioneers of Japanese Animation at PIFan – Part 2
Part 2 of Jasper Sharp's odyssey into the early days of Japanese animation.

September 23, 2004

Pioneers of Japanese Animation at PIFan – Part 1

picture: Pioneers of Japanese Animation at PIFan – Part 1
When anime was in its infancy, a handful of men made an indelible mark on the genre. Jasper Sharp investigates.

August 4, 2004

Yusaku Matsuda: Lost Rebel

picture: Yusaku Matsuda: Lost Rebel
In praise of the life and career of one Japan's best-loved movie stars, who remains a virtual unknown abroad: Yusaku Matsuda. By Tom Mes.

June 28, 2004

The Anticipation of Freedom: Art Theatre Guild and Japanese Independent Cinema

picture: The Anticipation of Freedom: Art Theatre Guild and Japanese Independent Cinema
Roland Domenig's in-depth look at the history of the production house whose name is synonymous with the Japanese New Wave.

May 17, 2004

A Salute to Tomio Aoki

picture: A Salute to Tomio Aoki
Midnight Eye pays tribute to an actor whose career spanned the length of Japanese film history.

April 15, 2004

Hiroshi Shimizu – Silent Master of the Japanese Ethos

picture: Hiroshi Shimizu – Silent Master of the Japanese Ethos
One of the most overlooked giants of Japanese cinema gets his due with this encompassing look at some of his early classics. By William M. Drew.

March 10, 2004

Samurai Cinema 101

picture: Samurai Cinema 101
Brush up your knowledge of samurai films with our introduction to Japanese cinema's most enduring genre. By Nicholas Rucka.

The Best of 2003 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2003 – Poll Results
Midnight Eye readers select their favourite Japanese films of 2003.

February 16, 2004

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2003

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2003
We at Midnight Eye reveal our favourite and not so favourite Japanese films of 2003.

December 8, 2003

The World of Yasujiro Ozu

picture: The World of Yasujiro Ozu
Midnight Eye celebrates the centenary of "the most Japanese of directors".

November 5, 2003

Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2003 Report

picture: Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2003 Report
Jasper Sharp writes in from one of the world's most respected documentary film festivals and discovers the real cutting edge of Japanese cinema.

September 20, 2003

Out of This World – Set Report

picture: Out of This World – Set Report
On set with director Junji Sakamoto for a recreation of post-war Japan that stars Peter Mullan, Joe Odagiri and Sho Aikawa. By Jason Gray.

August 4, 2003

PIFan 2003 Report

picture: PIFan 2003 Report
The inside scoop on one of Asia's fastest-growing and most interesting film festivals: the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. By Jasper Sharp.

July 1, 2003

Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike

picture: Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike
An exclusive spotlight on the book Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike by Tom Mes.

May 12, 2003

Beyond Anime: A Brief Guide to Experimental Japanese Animation

picture: Beyond Anime: A Brief Guide to Experimental Japanese Animation
A huge world of stunning Japanese animation exists beyond what we know as anime. Jasper Sharp uncovers some true gems.

February 17, 2003

The Best of 2002 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2002 – Poll Results
Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2002.

January 22, 2003

In Memoriam Kinji Fukasaku (1930 – 2003)

picture: In Memoriam Kinji Fukasaku (1930 – 2003)
Our humble tribute to one of Japanese cinema's true greats.

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2002

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2002
Midnight Eye's lists of the best, and worst, in Japanese cinema of 2002.

July 16, 2002

Forgotten Fragments: An Introduction to Japanese Silent Cinema

picture: Forgotten Fragments: An Introduction to Japanese Silent Cinema
Benshi narrator Midori Sawato leads us on our second foray into the world of silent cinema. By Jasper Sharp and Michael Arnold.

March 7, 2002

A Page of Madness

picture: A Page of Madness
Jasper Sharp looks at a silent classic that remains startling and fresh today.

February 28, 2002

The Best of 2001 – Poll Results

picture: The Best of 2001 – Poll Results
Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese films of 2001.

January 23, 2002

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2001

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2001
Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp reveal their favourite Japanese films of 2001.

July 24, 2001

The Concert Films of Sogo Ishii

picture: The Concert Films of Sogo Ishii
The early 80s punk scene, as captured on camera by one Sogo Ishii. By Tom Mes.

May 29, 2001

The Film School of Tokyo

picture: The Film School of Tokyo
Tom Mes visits the training ground of Japan's future filmmakers.

March 10, 2001

Tetsuji Takechi: Erotic Nightmares

picture: Tetsuji Takechi: Erotic Nightmares
Though his legacy as the godfather of pink film remains, Tetsuji Takechi's career is shrouded in mystery. Jasper Sharp unravels the enigma.


Book Reviews

Latest Book Reviews

Index

TitleAuthor / EditorPublisher
Anime Encyclopedia, The McCarthy, Helen; Clements, JonathanStone Bridge Press
Anime Encyclopedia: Revised & Expanded Edition, The McCarthy, Helen; Clements, JonathanStone Bridge Press
Anime Perdute: Il cinema di Miike Takashi Gerow, AaronIl Castoro, Museo Nazionale del Cinema
Art Theatre Guild: Unabhängiges Japanisches Kino 1962-1984 Gerow, AaronVienna International Film Festival
Atomic Light (Shadow Optics) Lippit, Akira MizutaUniversity of Minnesota Press
Benshi: Japanese Silent Film Narrators, The Matsuda, ShunsuiUrban Connections
Between Shanghai and Hong Kong: The Politics of Chinese Cinemas Fu, PoshekStanford University Press
Cinema Babel: Translating Global Cinema Nornes, Abé MarkUniversity of Minnesota Press
Cinema of Japan and Korea, The Matsuda, ShunsuiWallflower Press
Contemporary Japanese Film Schilling, MarkWeatherhill
Critical Handbook of Japanese Film Directors, A Jacoby, AlexanderStone Bridge Press
Dorama Encyclopedia, The Clements, Jonathan; Tamamuro, MotokoStone Bridge Press
East Asian Cinemas: Exploring Transnational Connections on Film Schilling, MarkI.B. Tauris
Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Master of Fear, The White, JerryStone Bridge Press
Flash of Capital: Film and Geopolitics in Japan, The Cazdyn, EricDuke University Press
Flowers From Hell: The Modern Japanese Horror Film Harper, JimNoir Publishing
Forest of Pressure: Ogawa Shinsuke and Postwar Japanese Documentary Nornes, Abé MarkUniversity of Minnesota Press
Ga Netchu! The Manga Anime Syndrome Nornes, Abé MarkDeutsches Filmmuseum
Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation McCarthy, HelenStone Bridge Press
Hundred Years of Japanese Film, A Richie, DonaldKodansha International
Imperial Screen: Japanese Film Culture in the Fifteen Years’ War, 1931-45, The High, Peter B.University of Wisconsin Press
Introduction to Japanese Horror Film Balmain, ColetteEdinburgh University Press
Japan Journals, The Richie, DonaldStone Bridge Press
Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films Weisser, ThomasVital Books
Japanese Cinema: Essential Handbook Weisser, ThomasVital Books
Japanese Counterculture: The Antiestablishment Art of Terayama Shuji Ridgely, Steven C.University of Minnesota Press
Japanese Documentary Film: The Meiji Era Through Hiroshima Nornes, Abé MarkUniversity of Minnesota Press
Japanese Film: Art and Industry, The Richie, Donald; Anderson, Joseph L.Princeton University Press
Japanese Horror Cinema Nornes, Abé MarkEdinburgh University Press
Kawase Naomi: I film, il cinema Nornes, Abé MarkEffatà Editrice, Infinity Festival
Kitano Takeshi Gerow, AaronBritish Film Institute, World Directors Series
Mechademia 3: Limits of the Human Gerow, AaronUniversity of Minnesota Press
Mechademia Volume 1: Emerging Worlds of Anime and Manga Gerow, AaronUniversity of Minnesota Press
Mon effroyable histoire du cinéma Kurosawa, KiyoshiRouge Profond
Mr Smith Goes to Tokyo: Japanese Film Under the American Occupation, 1945-1952 Hirano, KyokoSmithsonian Institute Press
No Borders, No Limits: Nikkatsu Action Cinema Schilling, MarkFAB Press
Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film D., ChrisI.B. Tauris, Palgrave Macmillan
Ozu’s Anti-Cinema Yoshida, KijuUniversity of Michigan
Page of Madness: Cinema and Modernity in 1920s Japan, A Gerow, AaronCenter for Japanese Studies, University of Michigan
Picturing Japaneseness: Monumental Style, National Identity, Japanese Film Davis, Darrell WilliamColumbia University Press
Reading a Japanese Film: Cinema in Context McDonald, Keiko I.University of Hawaii Press
Revival van de Japanse Film Haute, Luk vanAmsterdam University Press, Salome
Ring Companion, The Meikle, DenisTitan Books
Robot Ghosts and Wired Dreams: Japanese Science Fiction from Origins to Anime Haute, Luk vanUniversity of Minnesota Press
Samurai Film, The Silver, AlainThe Overlook Press
Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade Clements, JonathanTitan Books
Sessue Hayakawa: Silent Cinema and Transnational Stardom Miyao, DaisukeDuke University Press
Shadows on the Screen: Tanizaki Junichiro and “Oriental” Aesthetics LaMarre, ThomasCenter for Japanese Studies, University of Michigan
Stray Dog of Anime: The Films of Mamoru Oshii Ruh, BrianPalgrave Macmillan
Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves: The Samurai Film Handbook Galloway, PatrickStone Bridge Press
To the Distant Observer: Form and Meaning in the Japanese Cinema Burch, NoëlMotion Pictures Reprint Series, University of Michigan
Tokyo Cyberpunk: Posthumanism in Japanese Visual Culture Brown, Steven T.Palgrave Macmillan
Tokyoscope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion Macias, PatrickCadence Books
Unspeakable Acts: The Avant-Garde Theatre of Terayama Shuji and Postwar Japan Sorgenfrei, Carol FisherUniversity of Hawaii Press
Waiting on the Weather: Making Movies with Akira Kurosawa Nogami, TeruyoStone Bridge Press
Writing in Light: The Silent Scenario and the Japanese Pure Film Movement Bernardi, JoanneWayne State University Press
Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films, The Schilling, MarkStone Bridge Press
‘Beat’ Takeshi Kitano Abe, KashoTadao Press / RM Europe


picture: Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema

Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema, the new book by Jasper Sharp

The cinema of Japan predates that of Russia, China, and India, and it has been able to sustain itself without outside assistance for over a century. Japanese cinema’s long history of production and considerable output has seen films made in a variety of genres, including melodramas, romances, gangster movies, samurai movies, musicals, horror films, and monster films. It has also produced some of the most famous names in the history of cinema: Akira Kurosawa, Hayao Miyazaki, Beat Takeshi, Toshiro Mifune, Godzilla, The Ring, Akira, Rashomon, and Seven Samurai.
Published by Scarecrow Press, The Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema is an introduction to and overview of the long history of Japanese cinema. It aims to provide an entry point for those with little or no familiarity with the subject, while it is organized so that scholars in the field will also be able to use it to find specific information. This is done through a detailed chronology, an introductory essay, and appendices of films, film studios, directors, and performers.
The cross-referenced dictionary entries cover key films, genres, studios, directors, performers, and other individuals. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Japanese cinema.
564 pages, ISBN-10: 0810857952, £59.95
More details on the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group website.
picture: cover of Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema

Awards

The Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema is named Library Journal's Best Reference Book for 2011!

Reviews

"Japanese film authority Sharp (Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema) opens this landmark reference with an extensive chronology, noting the political and economic events that facilitated the development and expansion of Japan’s film culture… A nearly 100-page, by-theme bibliography is a treasure trove of research leads. To date, the most comprehensive English guide; its depth and breadth make it vital for film-studies collections."
—Library Journal
"There’s no doubt he delivers in ways that internet searches don’t... it would take many shots in the internet dark to piece together any one of these entries, let alone over 500 pages of them… leaves most previous synoptic histories standing, not only because it’s more up-to-date but also because it ranges into pop-genre, anime and indie areas which its predecessors have chosen to shun."
—Tony Rayns, Sight and Sound, July 2012
"A chunky hardback on long-lasting paper, and with a spine that stands up to heavy punishment, this robust tome from Scarecrow Press has contents to match, designed to ensure that absolutely nobody has any excuse. Japanese film doesn’t have to be mysterious, and all the firm grounding you need is right here…
it’s not just about the anime people. In fact, while it’s salutary to see them there, the anime people are not what makes this book valuable to the anime scholar. It’s everything else – the clear, concise histories of major film studios; the run-downs of important film legislation; the blunt statements of censorship facts; the bios of major actors and producers, all of which build up a picture of the Japanese film world as a whole…If you expect to earn some kind of capital from writing about Japanese film – be it hard cash or a tutor’s praises, then you should pester your library to put this book on their film shelves."
—Jonathan Clements, Manga UK
"Jasper Sharp has worked assiduously in an unyielding format and you would have to be very well-read not to mine new information from this resource."
—Roger Macy, Japan Society

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