Japan and Cult

[Jim Harper]

I think the question of what is 'cult' is generally informed by genre and audience factors within its country of origin. Sion Sono's Exte is essentially a cult film for both non-Japanese and domestic audiences, but I think there are few non-Japanese film fans who would consider Shall We Dance? a cult film. It might only reach a small non-Japanese audience, but it certainly has the potential to find mainstream success (as it did). A lot of Japanese films certainly qualify as 'cult' items, but by no means all.
 
Jim.

--- On Mon, 15/2/10, Nathen Clerici <nclerici at interchange.ubc.ca> wrote:


Hello all,


My name is Nathen Clerici, and this is my first post.  I am really enjoying all the threads on this list.  


I am starting a research project that will examine how Japanese film travels and the channels by which it comes to be seen outside Japan.  I want to frame the problem by looking at how different forms of distribution and exhibition (e.g. art house cinema, university courses, Internet fan sites, etc.) affect how a particular movie is received.  Within this framework, I am interested in the idea of cult.  It seems that Japanese cinema is often classified as cult cinema, but I am not sure that it could be received any other way.  Even if we consider a particular Japanese film to be highbrow art, it is most likely still confined to a small-but-adoring audience of cinephiles-- or Japanophiles.  Perhaps J-Horror is an exception?


I am curious, KineJapaners, do you think Japanese films seen outside Japan are cult cinema?  


I realize the cultural context changes, but I also think that the modes of viewing (e.g. web-based, fan subs, art house) exert a strong influence.  In addition, this is most likely not a question just for Japanese film, but for all film that crosses national/linguistic borders.


Thanks,


Nathen Clerici
University of British Columbia
PhD Program
Asian Studies


      
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