Do Japanese films really stink??

[Mark Schilling]

From: Mark Schilling <schill at gol.com>
> To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
> Subject: Re: Do Japanese films really stink??
> Date: Saturday, March 27, 1999 12:28 PM
> 

Re: Stephen's comments on the foreign film Oscar selection process.

First, the selection of the Japanese nominee for the Best Foreign Film
Oscar is largely based on the director's status and seniority. The
likelihood of the chosen film actually winning anything is a secondary
consideration. Thus Madadoyo got the nod, even though it was widely
considered Kurosawa's weakest film. Thus Gakko got the nod, even though the
film's overseas exposure and Yamada's overseas rep were both close to zero.


The selection of Begging For Love follows this scenario, even though
Hirayama and Kitano began directing about the same time. Hirayama spent
nearly 15 years climbing the ladder before he got his first shot at
directing (Maria no Ibukuro, 1990), while Kitano, of course, is an outsider
whose clout derives mainly from his international reputation.  

Given this selection process, the nomination of a Japanese film for an
Oscar can only be a  fluke. 

As for other major film awards, including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, the
selection process is more objective -- though how much more is open to
debate. Writing as I do for a UK film trade magazine, I often have the
feeling that, for my editors and other film people in Europe, Asia is a
very distant place indeed. The filter for admitting Asian films is thus
smaller and finer than for those from more familiar parts of the world and
is largely controlled by a small band of "experts." This filter was open
more widely several years ago, but now seems to be closing. Until the
fashion shifts again -- or a truly extraordinary film appears on the scene
-- shiyo ga nai daro ne.

Mark Schilling <schil at gol.com>