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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Dear Christiane Gruen,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>You ask -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>"Therefore we ask if anybody knows of any Japanese films,
which are believed lost, that they please post to the list or get in touch with
me at the email address listed below."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Alas, for Japan, the question is overwhelming, if not
mocking, since most Japanese films are lost. Of the many thousands of
films made before 1940 (such as to be found on the JMDb website) all but a few
hundred, I believe, are lost. And plenty after this date are also
lost - for example, Jasper Sharp points out, in his new book that most pink
films have not been preserved. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>So, for practical reasons, our focus is on what films are
preserved. We have had recent threads on this list as to the availability
of information on which films are preserved - see '<FONT size=1>Film archive
catalogues</FONT><FONT size=3>' and '<FONT size=1>Japanese governmental
agencies/film culture promotional policies</FONT></FONT><FONT size=3>'.
Due to the lack of easy availability of preservation information, Professor
High's pointer to his book is particularly useful.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>The discussion on your website as to what might constitute
a 'lost film' is valuable. But whilst we have your attention, may I ask
one question and make one suggestion, please?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Question: (Assuming the Deutsche Kinemathek is the
institution in Germany that holds information on films preserved in
Germany,) Is it one of those institutions that puts on line the listing of
those films it has preserved? If so, what is the link, please. If
not, a listing of any East Asian films up to 1945 that are held would interest
scholars, particularly as there are a few films that may have reached Berlin via
Moscow.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Suggestion: There is another category of found films that
are hidden, in so far as there is no budget to produce projection copies.
Publicity for these might produce the positive result of procuring sponsorship
for their projection and distribution. For example, the only copy of a
1923 film by Conrad Wiene, </FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman">DIE MACHT DER
FINSTERNIS</FONT><FONT face=Arial>, (with Russian actors and, presumably, a
Russian script) exists at Waseda University, Tokyo with English titles - see the
report by Dr. Uli Jung in Filmblatt, Summer, 2003. Perhaps your
institution could find the budget to combine the revival of this hidden German
film with that of a Japanese film in a similar state?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>sincerely,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Roger Macy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>----- Original Message ----- </FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>From: "Christiane Gruen" <</FONT><A
href="mailto:Christiane.Gruen@gmx.de"><FONT
face=Arial>Christiane.Gruen@gmx.de</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial>></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>To: <</FONT><A
href="mailto:kinejapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu"><FONT
face=Arial>kinejapan@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu</FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial>></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 3:52
PM</FONT></DIV></DIV><A href="http://www.gmx.net/de/go/multimessenger"><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></A></BODY></HTML>