Do Japanese films really stink??

[B Dunn]

>
> I'd love to hear some insight from folks that know the inside story in
> Japan. For now though - what a shame and what an insult to the Japanese
> film industry that RAN has to be their last fond memory of the Academy
> Awards.

First of all, I am really no expert here and claim to be no expert.  I have
no degree in it.  I have only taken a class on Japanese cinema at the
University of Washington and simply love watching film, especially Japanese,
for the love of film.

I do recall, though, from my Japanese cinema course that Japan has a long
standing history of not recognizing artistic talent within its own borders
while praising works from every where else.  Even Rashomon garnered only
average reviews in Japan until it hit it big in Europe at the film
festivals.  I am sure the other members of this list can add much, much more
to this.

And just on a personal note, I also think there is a lot of Japanese cinema
that could have done very well at the Academy Awards.  I only see a small
amount living here in San Francisco and renting films on my own time, but
anything by IWAI Shunji or JUUZO Itami could have done pretty well, IMHO.


Just my 1 cent.


Brian Dunn
bdunn at netmagic.net
Home Page - Artwork and Photography:
http://www2.crosswinds.net/japan/~masakochan/entrance.html