Sun Legends

[Bill Thompson]

Thanks, Todd and Aaron, for your responses.

Todd Bowman wrote:

>In a message dated 4/16/98 5:19:29 PM, Bill wrote:
>
>>The few films I've seen by Yuzo Kawashima convince me that he
>>is an undiscovered master (even though Imamura did write
>>a book about him).  Does anyone know if there has ever
>>been a thorough retrospective of his works?
>
>The Rotterdam International Film Festival held a mini-retrospective of
>Kawashima in 1991. It was part of a program titled "Japanese
>Kings of the Bs"
>and also included films by Suzuki Seijun and Mori Issei.

There is much less of a distinction between A and B films in
Japan during the '50's and '60's than there is in the US.
However, from the three Kawashima films I've seen, I would
hesitate to call him a "B director" as Rotterdam did.  I believe
the films which were at Rotterdam also played at the Pacific
Film Archives, but three or four films is barely an introduction to
a potentially fascinating director.

Bakumatsu Taiyoden was made to celebrate the third anniversary
of Nikkatsu's reopening (it had closed down as a production
studio in 1941).  In appearance, it was no lower
budget than Ichikawa's Biruma no Tategoto (The Burmese Harp),
made by Nikkatsu in 1956.  Bakumatsu Taiyoden tied with
Throne of Blood for 4th place on the Kinema Junpo 1957 awards
list following two Imai pictures (remember that Imai films
received the top prize five times in the 1950's) and
Kinoshita's first lighthouse movie, and Frankie Sakai received
KJ's acting award.

Kawashima directed about 50 films during his 20 year career.
The first half were made for Shochiku.  Until I read Aaron's
comments, I had the impression that they were merely regarded
as studio assignments.  He only made 8 films for Nikkatsu,
but they would probably make a very interesting little series.


Aaron Gerow wrote:

>Other favorites:
>
>_Kaette kita otoko_ (1944) A light and wonderful comedy which you can't
>believe was made in 1944 (his debut film)


>Bakumatsu taiyoden_ is generally recognized as his masterpiece, but
>everyone should remember it could have been even better: originally,
>Frankie Sakai at the end was supposed to escape down the road, out the
>studio, and into modern Japan!

Too bad.  Bakumatsu Taiyoden was made just one year before Kinoshita's
Narayama Bushiko -- remember Narayama's train station ending?
As I recall, this ending received special praise at the time.
Imamura of course incorporated such ideas into his works after he left
Kawashima and made his own films.  As I wrote before, Bakumatsu
Taiyoden is closer to Imamura's work than any other non-Imamura-
directed film I have seen.

>Someday, I will write something on the fellow!

If you do, please post it here.  And lobby for a real and most
deserved Kawashima retrospective outside of Japan.