Japan in Cannes

[Mark Mays]

I was afraid someone would try to read into my disinterest concerns about cultural ownership. Nothing to do with “Japanese-ness” or anything of the sort. If Naruse rose from the grave and decided to do a similarly themed film, I would have a similar response. Although I’d excuse him because it’s likely he hasn’t been keeping up with current events.

Kind of a related note, talking with my wife about the local film festival and how every year it seems to import films dealing with the same topics from the same countries. If there are two Japanese films on the bill, one will deal with some distressed young woman, the other will be a midnight showing of horror. Same for whatever films from the African continent (orphans, a documentary on hunger) or Israel, etc. Just pondering how we receive these works from disparate lands here in the US, and how that affects what the gatekeepers allow us easy access to.

From: Pete Larson 
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 2:39 PM
To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
Cc: Michael Kerpan 
Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes

Personally, I'm intrigued, simply because I like Kiarostami.

The seeming dismissal is interesting, however. To what extent to countries "own" their cinemas? I can see where it might be important in a less well established national cinema (the Indonesian film "The Raid" comes to mind), but in the case of Japan, I don't think it's important at all. I doubt that anyone would question the "American-ness" of a Hollywood film directed by, say, Ang Lee.

Sad to say that I missed Norwegian Wood at the Michigan Theater recently, speaking of. 

Pete

On 4/19/2012 3:30 PM, Michael Kerpan wrote: 
  I can't imagine dismissing a Kiarostami film sight unseen.  ;~}


  From: Mark R. Harris mailto:brokerharris at gmail.com
  To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
  Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 3:26 PM
  Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes


  Why all the negativity about a film that hasn't been seen yet? 


  On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 1:19 PM, Michael Kerpan <mekerpan at verizon.net> wrote:

    Does Kiarostami have anything new or different to say (or show us) about the topic?


    From: Mark Mays <tetsuwan at comcast.net>
    To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
    Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 3:04 PM 

    Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes


    Was disappointed to hear about the Kiarostami, frankly. Brilliant director but how many more times must we round the enjyo kosai poll . . . er so to speak.

    From: Mark R. Harris 
    Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 1:09 PM
    To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
    Subject: Re: Japan in Cannes

    It's a big day for Korea, since both Im and Hong got spots in the main competition, and they are the only East Asian directors to do so. Weerasethakul's film was relegated to a Special Screening, a bit of a surprise perhaps after his recent Palme d'Or win.

    Mark R. Harris


    On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 11:46 AM, Mark Nornes <amnornes at umich.edu> wrote:

      The Cannes lineup was announced.  

      The only Japanese film in competition is directed by Kiarostami, sorry to say. 

      Un Certain Regard will future Wakamatsu's regrettably titled 11.25 The Day He Chose His Own Fate. 


      Finally, there is a midnight screening of The Legend of Love & Sincerity, by Miike. 

      Not a good year for Japan. Other Asian directors that got slots include Apichatpong Weerasethakul, You Ye, Ashim Ahluwalia, Im Sang-soo, and Hong Sang-soo. 

      Markus



      _________________________________
      A. M. Nornes
      Chair, Department of Screen Arts and Cultures
      Professor, Department of Asian Languages & Cultures
      Professor, School of Art & Design
      University of Michigan
      North Quad 6F, 105 S. State Street
      Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1608
      Phone: 734-763-1314
      FAX: 734-936-1846
















    -- 

    Mark R. Harris

    Profesor de humanidades
    Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Sinaloa
    Blvd. Pedro Infante 3773
    Culiacan, CP 80100, Sinaloa, Mexico
    +52 (667) 759-1600
    mark_r_harris at yahoo.com
    brokerharris at gmail.com







  -- 

  Mark R. Harris

  Profesor de humanidades
  Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Sinaloa
  Blvd. Pedro Infante 3773
  Culiacan, CP 80100, Sinaloa, Mexico
  +52 (667) 759-1600
  mark_r_harris at yahoo.com
  brokerharris at gmail.com





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