Film
10/4/2012
Learning Objectives:
Japanese Cinema: Its Stakeholders
Lecturer: Yow Chong Lee Email: clyow@faca.unimas.my
• To illustrate the effects of the interplay (interference) of the state and the capitalist system on Japanese film industry. • To explain the causes and effects of such interferences:
– The ways films are produced, distributed and exhibited – Type of films allowed, – Regulation and censorship,
The Arrival of Sound Cinema in Japan
• Sound cinema arrived comparatively late in Japan. WHY? • 1st sound film: Heinosuke Gosho’s My Neighbour’s Wife & Mine (1931).
The Only Son (1936)
The WWII and Its Effects on Japanese Cinema
• Japanese government hooped on expansionist project in the 1930s – 40s. • The film industry was unavoidably put under surveillance by the government & the military. • A law was enacted to harness films as propaganda tool.
• Even Ozu resisted using sound until 1936.
The Do and Don’t: During WWII
Restriction on Film Industry
The Two Most Popular Genres (since 1920s)
Why NO Jidai-geki films?
Japanese Genres
Do
Don’t
Jidai-geki
Gendai-geki
Films about contemporary life
Patriotic Films & Safe genres
Jidai-geki Film (esp. Chambara films)
Period Films
Ex: Chambara films
Ex: Shomingeki
1
10/4/2012
Major Japanese Film Companies & Their Focus
Film Companies
Shochik u
Japanese Cinema: Tradition of Boom & Bust
Boom
Toho ShinToho
Military subjects laden with ultra conservative overtune s
Bust
WHY?
Many film companies (studios) closed/ went bankrupt (in 60s)
Nikkatsu
Daiei
Toei
In 1950s - Golden Age of Business Prosperity
Taiyozoku (suntribe)
Art-films (Rashomo n& Ugetsu) & seiten (sex series) for teenagers
Make melodra ma (shomingeki) to aim at female audience
Adapt Jidai-geki to suit children & teenagers
Comedy series to target whitecollar market
Theatres tripled to the prewar no. (to ≈ 7400 cinemas)
Theatres were reduced to 2000
Learning Objectives:
Japanese Cinema: Its Stakeholders
Lecturer: Yow Chong Lee Email: clyow@faca.unimas.my
• To illustrate the effects of the interplay (interference) of the state and the capitalist system on Japanese film industry. • To explain the causes and effects of such interferences:
– The ways films are produced, distributed and exhibited – Type of films allowed, – Regulation and censorship,
The Arrival of Sound Cinema in Japan
• Sound cinema arrived comparatively late in Japan. WHY? • 1st sound film: Heinosuke Gosho’s My Neighbour’s Wife & Mine (1931).
The Only Son (1936)
The WWII and Its Effects on Japanese Cinema
• Japanese government hooped on expansionist project in the 1930s – 40s. • The film industry was unavoidably put under surveillance by the government & the military. • A law was enacted to harness films as propaganda tool.
• Even Ozu resisted using sound until 1936.
The Do and Don’t: During WWII
Restriction on Film Industry
The Two Most Popular Genres (since 1920s)
Why NO Jidai-geki films?
Japanese Genres
Do
Don’t
Jidai-geki
Gendai-geki
Films about contemporary life
Patriotic Films & Safe genres
Jidai-geki Film (esp. Chambara films)
Period Films
Ex: Chambara films
Ex: Shomingeki
1
10/4/2012
Major Japanese Film Companies & Their Focus
Film Companies
Shochik u
Japanese Cinema: Tradition of Boom & Bust
Boom
Toho ShinToho
Military subjects laden with ultra conservative overtune s
Bust
WHY?
Many film companies (studios) closed/ went bankrupt (in 60s)
Nikkatsu
Daiei
Toei
In 1950s - Golden Age of Business Prosperity
Taiyozoku (suntribe)
Art-films (Rashomo n& Ugetsu) & seiten (sex series) for teenagers
Make melodra ma (shomingeki) to aim at female audience
Adapt Jidai-geki to suit children & teenagers
Comedy series to target whitecollar market
Theatres tripled to the prewar no. (to ≈ 7400 cinemas)
Theatres were reduced to 2000