Well I know that I shoulda be ashamed of myself. I really never saw any of the classic Japanese movies from beginning to end. Many ran on tv (here in Portugal where I currently live) in their original language versions, subtitled. I have not problem with that. It was the dialog, which included such strange values and rituals (strange from MY Western point of view) - and perhaps the poor quality prints (perhaps worn out 16mm prints). Anyway, I was discouraged to watch those movies all the way through with close attention.

I really would like to work my way into classic Japanese Cinema. Not just Akira Kurosawa
of course. English-subtitled original language versions is what I am looking for. And I am sre I will find the titles on DVD.

I would like to ask the connaisseurs on these Forums to provide me with honest suggestions regarding where I should start and where I should go from there. I must do something about my serious gap in cinema knowledge.

Any reply highly appreciated and valued.

Yasujiro Ozu. He's very much in the quiet, contemplative mode of filmmaking. I don't know where your tastes run, but I started with Floating Weeds.

Do you want all Japanese cinema or just the classics?

Do you want anime or not?

If anime is on the table, grab Grave of the Fireflies and a box of tissues.

EDIT:

Sad tissues. Not happy tissues.

I recommend the Kaneto Shindo films Onibaba and Kuroneko. Two great early examples of dark, surreal Japanese horror. Both are available on the Criterion collection.

Also, you can't go wrong with Sansho the Bailiff.

You should definitely check out the films of both Takeshi Kitano and Takashi Miike.

Of course all Japanese Cinema including anime. BTW: I have seen some short animations on YouTube like RainTown - a film student assignment - incredible!


Rain Town (translation of the opening: click to see description):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLAfM1RXwRs

And the Academy Award winning (Title translated to French: La Maison des Petites Cubes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQN4X1tt1S4

Both of the above have deep meanings about the human condition and of course: love (and the common theme of water flooding the past). Awesome artwork as well.

But I'd like to start with the classic (= roughly 30s through 50s) Japanese cinema.

Thanks for the recommendations. Will take note!

Kobayashi had a winning streak of great films in the 50s and 60s: The Human Condition trilogy, Kwaidan, Harakiri and Samurai Rebellion. Despite the title, the last isn't about martial arts; it's about honor and rightness as opposed to chivalry.

One film that surprised me was Zatoichi by Takeshi Kitano. This is a revival of a series of samurai films about a blind swordsman, and transcends its genre.

As far as animation, Miyazaki is the greatest animator in the world, but Satusho Kon was nearing his level when he died. Paprika is a fascinating film. The Girl who Leapt Through Time by Mamoru Hosoda is deeper than a synopsis would suggest. The Place Promised in Our Early Days by Makoto Shinkai is a haunting alternate history. Miyazaki's greatest are Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away but I also love Nausicaa and the Valley of Wind and Castle in the Sky, not to mention the children's classic My Neighbor Totoro.

They recently adapted 'Norwegian Wood', the book of which was outstanding. Hardly a classic by any means but well worth a look.

I highly suggest picking up The Blind Menace, starring Shintaro Katsu. After becoming a fan of seeing him as the noble hero of the Zatoichi series (which is also worth watching -- 26 flicks, and only a scant few mediocre apples in the lot), it was one hell of a change of pace to see him play such a destructive force of nature in this picture. A great performance and a compelling story.

Aside from Zatoichi, I'd recommend other of Kitano's films, like Sonatine, Hana-Bi (Fireworks), and Violent Cop. You could also check out the first Battle Royale (based on a manga/anime).

I don't recommend Kikujiro though, a change of pace that gets pretty saccharine.

Anything by Hayao Miyazaki. The only thing from Studio Ghibli you're better off skipping is Tales from Earthsea.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa is one of the creepy masters working in Japan today, Cure and Pulse alone are both worth owning. I slightly prefer the former, but both are fantastic films.

Kenji Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff is essential. Major can tell you why far better then I can. Tokyo Story deserves its high status as well.

I have been partial to the works of Sion Sono ever since I saw Suicide Club for the first time, and I still am. His movies aren't for everyone but that last film, Love Exposure and especially Strange Circus are all great.

I love Tetsuo: The Iron Man, although I don't think many others around this forum do. Think Eraserhead, but shorter and even more batshit.

Dark Water is one of the best ghost films of the last I don't know how many years if you ask me. Based on a short story by Koji Suzuki, who wrote the original Ring book and directed by Hideo Nakata, who adapted that novel, the original Dark Water film is better then all the Ring movies.

Battle Royale, for reasons that I can lay out later, is I film I hold very close personally. Don't listen to Ed, if you haven't seen BR (or read the even better book), do it now.

Ghost in the Shell is no flawless masterpiece, but both on its own and as a major inspiration to The Matrix, its a pretty good mindfuck.

I'd recommend Ichi the Killer with caution, its been a while since I've seen it but I'm pretty sure I'd still like it, I have a fucked up sense of humor.

There's a few, have fun.

Does Ed not like the movie then?

I have to say the movie is exceptionally great, and certainly did leave an impact. The book significantly more so!

I know it may be an obvious one but The Audition is worth a look.

Thanks a lot for all your great suggestions! Will make a list and "work" my way through it ASAP!

Surprised no one has mentioned Tampopo.

Then again, I suppose the thread is concentrated on the classics. Well, Tampopo is at least a modern classic.

A wonderful film, even more so if you love food.

Perfy, asking for recommendations in Japanese Cinema is asking for trouble. Their movie industry is huge and it's almost comparable to asking for recommendations in American Cinema. Clearly, you're going to be inundated.

Wikipedia is pretty helpful here. They split Japanese Cinema into a number of subgenres (each of which has a pretty large following):



I think you have the right idea though. Start with the classics and work your way forward. Imho your best bet is to start with the more well-known films of Ozu, Mizoguchi and Kurosawa. Probably makes sense to include Kobayashi here but I haven't seen any of his films yet.

Thereafter: anything goes. Jump in where you like. Know that Anime is huge though. That same wiki page says that



Wow! Can you believe that figure? They sure like their anime.


I don't flat out hate it. Just don't think it's very good. At all.