vernacular modernism

[kiseko minaguchi]

I'm also on Aaron's side that vernacular modernism is another useful
approach to Japanese film studies. I need more specific and practical
illustrations of such film study, but I'm getting to figure out what Aaron
wants to address.
About the Japanese film study I have had an impression that the films of
such giants as Ozu, Kurosawa, Kinugasa, Shinoda and Oshima have been
processed through certain film reviews and studies to global market, that
somehow restricted the space and scope of the studies. I mean these critical
works have shaped the dominant film study in the current international site.
What slipped out of their attentions and what often fail to observe
Hollywood's classical grammar eventually embody genetic national identity,
though outside reviewers are likely to confuse one with the other.
Minaguchi

----- Original Message -----
??? : "catherine russell" <crus at vax2.concordia.ca>
?? : <KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu>
???? : 2002?5?16? 0:37
?? : Re:vernacular modernism


>
> Thanks Aaron for your explanation of the usefulness of the term
"vernacular
> modernism" to Japanese film studies. I have found it equally useful, for
> many of the reasons you mention. I would also add that I find it provides
a
> way of identifying what Miriam Hansen calls new subjectivities that are
> constructed within different modern cultures, such as Japan of both the
> prewar and postwar periods.  Moving away from the East/West dichotomies
> enables us to see how cinema is deeply involved in imagining the modernity
> of Japan, including urban space and architecture, fashion, music, and the
> development of new characters such as the Moga of the late 20s and the new
> masculinities of the postwar period.  Another way of putting it is that
> vernacular modernism is about the way that "everyday life" is constructed
> in the cinema, as a vital element of popular culture.  I have found it a
> good way of aligning film analysis with Harry Harootunian's fascinating
> work on Japanese modernity (i.e. Overcoming Modernity and History's
> Disquiet). Check out Miriam Hansen's article in the book "Reinventing Film
> Studies" edited by Christine Gledhill and Linda Williams.
> katie
>
>
>
> _________________________________
> Catherine Russell, Associate Professor
> Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
> Concordia University
> 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
> Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1M8
> tel: (514) 848 4657 fax: (514) 848 4255
> http://cinema.concordia.ca/russell/
>