Customer Reviews

New History of Japanese Cinema: A Century of Narrative Film

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4 star:		(1)
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Isolde Standish has written what I think to be the most informative and convincing historical survey (in english) on the rich tradition of film production in Japan. Donald Richie, in the same year (2005), also published (yet again) another book on the history of Japanese cinema (actually the hardback was pub. in 2002 but the paperback came out this last year). Although Richie's book was just a new, updated edition of already published material I picked it up along with this book and read them together. There was a world of difference between the two, and I must say that I favored (by a long shot) the method and approach of Standish over that of Richie. Besides, it is nice to hear another voice in the discourse other than that of "the most authoritative critic of Japanese cinema." No one remains authority forever and, if you ask me, Richie's time is up.

As funny as it sounds, what makes this book more interesting is that it is much more historical. The book pays careful, constant attention to the socio-political contexts that undoubtedly inform and affect the cultural production of the times - and it does this in both national and global terms. Standish investigates how 'national cinema' functions -in the context of economic and societal transition- to shape and affect the perpetual constructions of national consciousness and identity. Suprisingly, she concentrates less on the effects of after-the-fact, direct censorship and more on the preliminary economic rationalization and verticle organization of studios and production companies as that which produces the most social impact. She poses questions about the rise and fall and ultimate ineffectiveness of 'leftist tendencies' films. She offers interesting analysis on the relation between the increase in speed and movement of bodies in 'chanbara' action films and the contemporaneous development of industrialization. Perhaps what is most fascinating in her study is her focus on the re-negotiations of gender politics as seen in popular narrative films in the context of the historical transitions from early to late 20th century society.

The peak of this book is definitely her coverage and analysis of cinema during the years of militarism and those of the occupation period. However, like any comprehensive survey of Japan's cinematic hisory that I have read, the book becomes more brief and hurried as one approaches the more contemporary era. Yet, at least she does mention and even explore (but only briefly) some of the more recent achievements. Unfortunately, I give this book 4 instead of 5 stars for this minor flaw. I'm saving my 5th star for that book that is bold enough to cover more recent ground at considerable length.

Also, one other great thing about this book (unlike some) is that every film that Standish 'reads' or analyzes at great depth is accessible to the public. I am pretty sure about this - but I could be wrong - I know that just about every film that receives attention can be accessed in some way. Blockbuster may not be a helpful resource here but amazon, libraries, and 'good' rental stores can provide that which is needed.

This was really a disappointing book. It reads like an indoctrination manual full of post-modern jargon and Marxist claptrap, just one cliche after another. It does have some information, which gives it some value, but otherwise it's just way too ideological. It could have been a much better book without that.

WAY too dry and scholarly, I couldn't even get past the foreword. It is not for the average reader who just wants a history of Japanese film.

A New History Of Japanese Cinema: A Century Of Narrative Film by Isolde Standish (Film Studies Lecturer and Convenor of the MA Cinemas of Asia and Africa degrees, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) is a 414-page work of considerable scholarship providing the reader with an informed and informative historical survey of the Japanese film industry from its inception down to the present day. A New History Of Japanese Cinema details an industry and an art form as shaped by the competing and merging influences of traditional Japanese culture and 20th century economic and technological innovations. A ground-breaking and original work written with considerable expertise, A New History Of Japanese Cinema is enhanced with a section of "Reflections", extensive notations, a "Select Filmography", a "Select Bibliography", and an exhaustive index, making it especially recommended for academic library "Cinematic Studies" and "Japanese Popular Culture" reference collections and supplemental reading lists.