- Document type
- Book review
- Published
- 16 February 2004
Shohei Imamura
- Editor:
- James Quandt
- Publisher:
- Ontario Cinematheque
Kon Ichikawa
- Editor:
- James Quandt
- Publisher:
- Ontario Cinematheque
- Review by:
- Jasper Sharp
Japanese New Wave fans should make sure they get their hands on a copy of the book on Shohei Imamura, edited by James Quandt and put out by the Ontario Cinematheque. A great selection of interviews, essays, and articles on the great director, again with an impressive collection of pictures and a filmography that runs all the way up to 1997's The Eel (well, Imamura did say it was meant to be his last film!) This covers a lot of ground, including Imamura' TV documentaries in the 70s, and is the best work on the director, featuring chapters by such experts in the field as Max Tessier, Donald Richie, Audie Bock and the director himself.
Availability
Shohei Imamura
Ontario Cinematheque
Quandt has also recently edited a distinguished volume of writings on Harp of Burma director Kon Ichikawa. It's over twice the size of the Imamura one, but then again, Ichikawa has made considerably more than twice as many films during his seven decades (!) in the business. Ichikawa is the most important living director working in Japan at the moment, and this book features articles by some of Japanese cinema's more important living writers: Tadao Sato, Keiko MacDonald, Max Tessier, David Desser, Donald Richie, Aaron Gerow and Mark Schilling. Also included are pieces by Pauline Kael, Yasuzo Masumura and Yukio Mishima.
Availability
Kon Ichikawa
Ontario Cinematheque