The representation of the black other in Japanese film

[ken provencher]

Recently I've seen a few, including "Proof of the Man" and "Rika," both from
the 70s, but right there you've got two degrees of representation: "Proof"
is partly set in Harlem/NYC and explores black culture to some degree (it's
based on a novel you may already be aware of), and in "Rika" there's a short
appearance by a black hooker with a GI who is on his way to Vietnam.  These
shorter appearances aren't as well documented but in a way they may be more
interesting to study than the films that try to centralize black
culture.  Black characters pop up quite a bit (and then disappear) in films
set in wartime and films about gang activity.

Ken Provencher


On 3/7/10, Jasper Sharp <jasper_sharp at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I remember this discussion from last summer, and a lot of titles came up,
> many of which are probably going to be very difficult for you to track down.
>
>
>
> But there's a few things one should bear in mind when approaching this sort
> of subject through only a handful of a few select films, otherwise you'll
> only be able to end up expanding general points from specific details within
> the films. I don't know what conclusions you might draw from watching titles
> like The Harimaya Bridge, but it is worth pointing out that the film was
> made by an American, not a Japanese director, and also that it was not a
> commercial hit in Japan. It is, in fact, a terrible film that no one ever
> needs to see, whatever culture they might belong to!
>
>
>  Anyway, good luck with your research!
>
>
> Jasper
>
>
>
> > Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 21:09:57 +0100
> > From: j-c.mueller at web.de
> > To: Kine! Japan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
> > Subject: Re: The representation of the black other in Japanese film
>
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > a recent movie is "The Harimaya bridge" $B$O$j$^$d66(B.
> > http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902982/
> >
> > Jan-Christoph
> >
> >
>
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