The Power of Japanese Animation

Last night I went to a lecture on Japanese Animation in Trinity College. The talk was given by Nobouki Tsugata, a Japanese animation historian. Tsugata-san has spent a lifetime researching anime and lectures at The University of Osaka and Kyoto Seiko University. The focus of the lecture was on the power of Japanese animation and why it has become so popular and respected worldwide.

The talk began explaining the influence Disney had on Japanese animators in the 1940's and 1950's. The way in which every frame of a Disney picture contains movement and how this was imitated by the Japanese. However due to the huge expense and time required in such productions the Japanese began to employ different methods in which to convey the story.

It was a really interesting evening and he showed some rare clips from the Japanese archives. He played some clips from the second world war, propaganda films (funded by the navy) aimed at children justifying (in their opinion) the decision to bomb Pearl Harbor. Astro Boy also poped up as an influential turning point in Japanese animation. The lack of a substantial budget resulted in many still frames in each episode, and its this lck of movement that eventually became an integral part of Japanese animation (all tho now not for budget reasons).

Tsugata san also had some useful insight into why we love Japanese animation so much, particularly the use of space to let the story develop, showing the bus stop scene from My Neighbour Totoro to illustrate this point.

Akira was the next clip to further emphasis the use of the space, emphasizing on the way in which the city scape was depicted. He also mentioned that Akira was a not a major hit in Japan and doest share the same regard that it enjoys in the West which surprised me.

The final clip was from Gankutsuou, a reworking of The Count Of Monte Cristo. This looked amazing and it shows traditional Japanese methods working in harmony with new 3D technology.

It was a really great evening and I learned alot. Best of all it was free!

Asian Women's Film Festival 2007

Just got back from a weeks holiday in Berlin. Checked out the Film Museum while I was there. Its a great place and a must visit for any film fan. The museum also has a cinema; Kino Arsenal which screens all manner of interesting movies. What caught my wandering eye was a rather attractive looking flyer announcing the 2007 Asian Women's Film Festival. It features movies from Taiwan, Vietnam, Malasia, Hong Kong, China, Korea and Japan.

The Japanese offerings are: Faces Of A Fig Tree by Kaori Momoi, Dear Pyoungyang by Yong-hi Yang and Shara by Naoimi Kawase.

The Festival runs from the 19th - 23rd of September. If your in Berlin on these dates head straight for the Sony Center in Potsdamer Platz, you wont be disappointed!

Further Information

Ghibli Disappointment

Ok, i really hate to say this, in fact i never thought i would even think it. I don't like a Ghibli movie. Yes its true, i said it. The unthinkable comes in the form of Tales From Earthsea.

First time out for director Goro Miyazaki, with the weight of expectation firmly on his shoulders. He however fails to deliver the quality of direction associated with this studio.

The movie feels like a real step backwards in terms of animation. The picture looks alot like some of the very earliest offerings by Ghibli. Its not awful but its nowhere near the wonderfully detailed and vibrant Howls Moving Castle or Spirited Away.

The story moves at a very slow pace, and I wasn't immediately drawn to any of the main characters. I had an unusual feeling wash over me, one that i hadn't experienced before...
I was hugely underwhelmed by a Studio Ghigli production.

The problem with Tales From Eartsea is this. No Magic.

Not a sprinkle of enchantment....

I'll have another think about it, cant really explain my disappointment...
It pains me to write any more about my beloved Studio Ghibli in this way.....
so i'll stop.

Birthday Anime

Just received a gigantic anime boxset for my birthday in the form of Vision of Escaflowne!
26 episodes to keep me amused for the next few weeks. Ill nock up a review when i'm done.

Back From Sabbatical

OK so i've been away for a while...too long really, but i'm back on the blogging buzz and have a few choice articles in the works so check the site in a couple of days.

New York Asian Film Festival 2007

Featuring new films by Takashi Miike, Sion Sono and Kiyoshi Kurosawa; this festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events on the Japanese cinema calender. The premiere of Miike's Big Bang Love, Juvenile A is easily the most eagerly awaited screening. These movies will be shown as a part of the Japan Cuts-Festival of New Japanese Films presentation. This section of the festival runs from July 5th - 15th. Sion Sono will also be making a guest appearance at the festival. For those of you luck enough to attend I hope you enjoy the festival and look forward to hearing reports on these new movies.

Official Festival Site
Japan Cuts

The New Wave

映画監督 FILM DIRECTORS









RHUHEI KITAMURA

This exciting director first caught my attention with his cult hit Versus. His style is influenced strongly from western cinema and in particular the work of Sam Rami. Versus was a low budget project which quickly gained wide acclaim on the internet catapulting it into cult status. On the back of this success Kitamura was given the opportunity to direct Azumi. The film was adapted from the graphically violent Manga novel. His high energy and stylized brand of filmaking was just what Azumi needed to transfer it successfully from the page to the big screen. The movie did well in Japan and satisfied fans of the original Manga series.

His next feature was Sky High, another Manga adaptation in 2003. However Kitamura's greatest honour was still to come, directing the next installment of Japan's much loved Godzilla. In 2004 Godzilla: Final Wars was released and was well received by Japanese audiences. He is currently working on his next movie Bandage which is due for release in 2008.My personal favorites from Kitamura are Versus [2000] and Azumi [2003]. I look forward to seeing more of his work!











SHINYA TSUKAMOTO

Tsukamoto is one of Japan's most talented and versatile directors. He also writes and acts in many of his films aswell as starring in some of the best films to come from Japan over the past two decades. He made his first huge impact with Tetsuo - The Iron Man [1989]an intensely surreal story of a man who's body is being transformed into scrap metal! This Cronenberg-esque style continued in Tetsuo 2 - Body Hammer [1991] which confirmed Tsukamoto's status as a master of extreme cinema. His successes continued with a hardcore boxing picture; Tokyo Fist and the twisted erotica of A Snake Of June [2003].His most interesting movie since than is undoubtedly Vital which I really enjoyed.

As an actor Tsukamoto is amply skilled. His performances in Tetsuo, Tokyo Fist, Dead or Alive 2 and A Snake Of June are of a high calibre. However I think his finest role is in Ichi The Killer. He also puts in a fine performance in Takashi Shimizu's Marebito.

It is evident that Tsukamoto played an important role in rejuvenating Japanese cinema at a time when it needed it most. His work has inspired many of the next generation of filmakers working in Japan. It is with influences such as this that will keep Japanese cinema as wonderfully unpredictable and challenging as it is today!

For those of you who wish to delve a little deeper into the world and work of Tsukamoto-san take a look at this excellent book; Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto