100 Years of Japanese Cinema

Archive propels argument in this fascinating exploration of the social and cultural importance of Japan's film heritage.

The forces and themes that have shaped his nation's cinema drive Nagisa Oshima's forceful and erudite essay. Based entirely on archive footage, it considers the rediscovery of Daisuke Ito's Chuji's Travel Diary (1927), the drive for greater realism in depictions of family life and society; the appeal of war films and comedies, and struggles against censorship.