Shall We Dansu?

[Lori Hitchcock]

There is *one* way to get ahold of a subtitled version of "Shall We Dance"
that is the full running time (that I know of), but it involves getting a
VCD (video cd) player.  Online stores that sell Hong Kong VCD's (not the
pirated ones, but from distributors) also sell some Japanese movies with
English subtitles.  Since they bypass the Miramax (in this case)
distribution stronghold, they are usually the same running time as the
Japanese versions, and most (although not all) have English subtitles.

This, by the way, is also a nice way to get ahold of Japanese movies with
English subtitles that haven't been generally distributed in the West
(specifically the US): titles I've been able to get include "Suzaku," just
about everything by Iwai Shunji, "Nagisa no Sinbad," "Shiko o funjyatta"
(Sumo Do, Sumo Don't - Suo Masayuki).  The main problems with VCDs is:
they tend to pixelate; HK versions often work off a poor quality master
print, so they can be very dark (this is the case with "Swallowtail
Butterfly").  But if you're trying to show some examples of recent
Japanese film to students who don't know Japanese, they can be a great
resource.

Some good sites to visit include: SASA <www.sasavcd.com>
				  HKPOP <www.hkpop.com>
				  Amae Enterprises <www.hkdb.com>

I've ordered from the first two with no problems (Sasa also sells VCD
players for about $288) - they have secure servers; Amae lists a lot of
movies (although it helps to know the Chinese title of the Japanese
movie), but I haven't yet ordered from them.  HKPOP requires membership
(free).  Sasa's most recent Japanese titles are "Fuyajyo" and "Shigatsu
Monogatari."

Incidentally, it's interesting to note that Miramax has also cut about the
same amount of time (15 min) from Chen Kaige's "Farewell to My Concubine"
and "Temptress Moon."

Hope this helps some.

Lori Hitchcock

On Fri, 12 Feb 1999, Lawrence Marceau wrote:

> To the KineJapan List:
> 
>     I am currently using a laserdisc copy of _Shall We Dansu?_ in my
> introductory course on Japanese film.  When I printed out the
> information from the IMDB (International Movie Database) site on the
> film, it said that the runtime is 118 minutes in the US version, while
> it is 136 minutes for the domestic version.  This is a huge difference,
> in my opinion, and I would appreciate feedback by those on the list who
> are familiar with/have easy access to/ both versions.  Also, are these
> differences reflected in the screenplays that are apparently currently
> available?  I notice that one screenplay is in bilingual form.
> 
>     While I'm on the subject, I would like to repeat a question that was
> asked in this forum over a year ago:  Is the voiceover at the beginning
> of the film, on the "Japanese" cultural tendency to hide overt
> expression of one's emotions, especially that of love between spouses,
> also in the domestically released version?  My recollection was that it
> is.
> 
>     Thanks in advance.
> 
>     Lawrence Marceau
> 
> 
>