11 - Japanese Film: 1951 -

Question 1

When were the first Japanese film studios established?

Answer 1

1904-1905

Question 2

What were the Benshi? What was the effect of their popularity?

Answer 2

• popular live performers whose narration/dialogue accompanied silent film
• sound didn’t arrive until the mid-1930’s

Question 3

Japanese films were divided into two main categories, each having its own conventions & styles. What were these?

Answer 3

1. jidai-geki - historical films

2. gendai-geki - contemporary films

Question 4

When did the international film community begin to recognize & celebrate Japanese cinema?

Answer 4

In 1951 with Kirusawa’s Rashomon

Question 5

What was the Japanese equivalent to MGM?

Answer 5

Daiei Motion Picture Company

Question 6

What were the Japanese concerned with (as opposed to Americans & Europeans) ?

Answer 6

Japanese - overall mood & atmosphere (including *motion)
Americans - action
Europeans - psychological & pictoral

Question 7

What were the jidai-geki?

Answer 7

historical films

Question 8

What were the gendai-geki?

Answer 8

Contemporary films

Question 9

What are some major characteristics of the early (classic?) Japanese style.

Answer 9

slower pacing
emphasis on the image
savour what is expressed.
“painting with motion”

Question 10

What is the ‘No’ Plays tradition?

Answer 10

Only male performers (same as Kabuki)
Supernatural content, mythology.
Slow and careful physical movement.
Poetic, but flat dialogue.

Question 11

What is the ‘Kabuki’ Plays Tradition?

Answer 11

only male performers (same as No)
Elaborate staging
Over-the-top/Grandiose
Expressive Makeup (character).

Question 12

Whose later films were notably jidai-geki? What were two such films?

Answer 12

Kurosawa

Kagemusha & Ran

Question 13

Who are three ‘Japanese masters’ identified by Wexman?

Answer 13

Akira Kurosawa
Kenji Mizoguchi
Yasujiro Ozu - most ‘japanese’

Question 14

What are two ‘new formulas’ developed in the Japanese New Wave moment?

Answer 14

the youth film

the action film.

Question 15

What are Yakuza films?

Answer 15

Japanese gangster films (Toei Studio)

Question 16

What were the Japanese Pink Films?

Answer 16

soft-core pornography

Question 17

When did new and innovative directors (new wave) emerge into Japanese cinema?

Answer 17

60’s & 70’s

Question 18

Name two new wave Japanese directors

Answer 18

Shohei Imamura

Nagisa Oshima

Question 19

When was the golden age of japanese cinema?

Answer 19

1950’s and 60’s

Question 20

When did the golden age of japanese cinema come to an end?

Answer 20

end by the mid-70’s

Question 21

What Japanese film did we watch?
When was it released?
Who directed?
Production Company?

Answer 21

Throne of Blood (1957)
Akira Kurosawa
Toho Company (presents)

Question 22

Kirosawa was the most easily appreciated of the Japanese directors. Why is this? What is the historical context?

Answer 22

Many of his films were adapted from both classic and contemporary Western literature. Influence from the USA’s post WWII occupation of Japan from 1945-1952.

Also very similar to Westerns; same general ideas and premises (past the surface differences: guns/swords, cowboys/samurais, etc)