Features

June 29, 2015

Reflections in a Midnight Eye

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MIDNIGHT EYE RETIRES. After 15 years of making the world's go-to source for info on Japanese cinema in English, we're calling it a day.

February 3, 2015

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2014

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What was up in Japanese film in 2014? Ask the makers of Midnight Eye.

December 15, 2014

The Realism of Fantasy: A Tribute to Fujio Morita

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Tracing the lineage of one of Japan's greatest cinematographers, from Daimajin to Hitokiri and beyond.

October 19, 2014

The V-Cinema Notebook, Part 2: The Action Paradigm

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Tom Mes continues his trek through the wild world of Japan's straight-to-video film business.

July 7, 2014

Intergalactic Tokusatsu: Charting the Japanese Space Opera, Part 2

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The second chapter in our odyssey brings messages from space and greetings from Jupiter, while taking a detour into the realm of anime.

May 8, 2014

The Sun Also Rises: Miyazaki, Oshima and the Politics of History

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Inside the box office politics of an increasingly conservative Japanese cinema. Or: why Nagisa Oshima still matters in the era of Hayao Miyazaki and The Eternal Zero.

March 21, 2014

Intergalactic Tokusatsu: Charting The Japanese Space Opera, Part 1

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Distant galaxies and hostile worlds, interplanetary disaster and mighty monsters: the first in a two-part odyssey into the Japanese space opera.

February 22, 2014

The V-Cinema Notebook, Part 1

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Tom Mes commences a journey through one of the most important developments in recent Japanese film.

January 10, 2014

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2013

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While the Japanese film industry turns increasingly 'insular', what do the writers at Midnight Eye make of the releases of 2013?

December 2, 2013

Hideo Gosha Part 2: The Will To Live

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Part 2 traces Hideo Gosha's career into the 1980s and "female oriented" hits like Yakuza Wives and Tokyo Bordello.

November 3, 2013

Come On Feel the Noise: Sounds and Images of Uncertainty in Japanese Cinema

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Mapping the sounds of several generations of Japanese cinema, from punk rebellion to contemporary confusion.

September 23, 2013

Hideo Gosha: The Manly Way

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The first installment in Robin Gatto's two-part exploration of the life and films of an overlooked master of the samurai film.

July 3, 2013

Nippon Connection 2013

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New venue, familiar atmosphere: the prime annual venue for Japanese films in Europe returns for its 13th edition.

May 20, 2013

Udine Far East Film Festival 2013

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Roger Macy comments on the Japanese selection at Europe's main venue for Asian mainstream film.

April 24, 2013

Re-Agitator: A Decade of Writing on Takashi Miike

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Introducing the new book by Tom Mes, the companion piece to his influential and acclaimed tome, Agitator.

Return to Yubari

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The snowy town and its fantastic film festival retain their magic, as well as a fascinating line-up of films that includes some real discoveries.

March 6, 2013

Remembering Donald Richie (1924 – 2013)

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The makers of Midnight Eye pay tribute to the Western world's foremost authority on Japanese film.

January 22, 2013

Nagisa Oshima, Something Like A Ceremony

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R.I.P. Nagisa Oshima, 1932 - 2013

January 14, 2013

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2012

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The makers of Midnight Eye present their choices in cinematic highs and lows from the year 2012.

October 24, 2012

Remembering Koji Wakamatsu (1 April 1936 – 17 October 2012)

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Jasper Sharp laments the passing of a unique figure in world cinema.

October 6, 2012

Okinawa Movie Festival 2012

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Jeff Hammond reports from a recent addition to the Japanese festival scene.

September 3, 2012

Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema

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An exclusive spotlight on Jasper Sharp's brand new, indispensable reference work.

January 1, 2012

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2011

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Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp weigh in with their pros and cons of the year 2011.

September 1, 2011

Japanese Independent Cinema Travels to Toronto: The 3rd Shinsedai Cinema Festival

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Marc Saint-Cyr reports from the 2011 edition of Canada's showcase for the vital Japanese indie scene.

May 13, 2011

Post-Human Nightmares – The World of Japanese Cyberpunk Cinema

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From Sogo Ishii to Yoshihiro Nishimura, by way of Akira and Tetsuo - cyberpunk remains a vital genre in Japanese film. An in-depth exploration by Mark Player.

March 14, 2011

The Independent Spirit of CALF and the Rise of Alternative Anime

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The past decade has seen the rise of a new generation of independent animators in Japan. Catherine Munroe Hotes explores the lay of the land.

January 20, 2011

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2010

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The makers of Midnight Eye reveal their favourites and dislikes in Japanese cinema of the year 2010.

The Best of 2010 – Poll Results

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You, the Midnight Eye readers, have spoken... These Japanese films are your favourites of the year 2010.

September 30, 2010

Criminal Dance: The Early Films of Butoh Master Tatsumi Hijikata

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Chris MaGee chronicles the cinematic legacy of butoh dance pioneer Tatsumi Hijikata, who worked with Donald Richie, Takahiko Iimura and Teruo Ishii among others.

June 1, 2010

Yasuzo Masumura: Passion and Excess

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Tom Mes dissects the twisted works of Yasuzo Masumura, director of The Blind Beast, Red Angel and Giants and Toys, and a key influences on Japan's new wave.

March 29, 2010

Midnight Eye’s Best of the Decade

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The makers of Midnight Eye bring you their best ten Japanese films from the first decade of the 21st century.

The Best of the Decade – Poll Results

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Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese film of the decade.

January 25, 2010

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2009

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Our contributors give you their likes and dislikes of the past year in Japanese film.

The Best of 2009 – Poll Results

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The votes are in! And the winner is...

November 10, 2009

Nobuhiko Obayashi, Vagabond of Time

picture: Nobuhiko Obayashi, Vagabond of Time

In Japan, he is the director of such perennial favorites as House and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. In the rest of the world, he is all but unknown. Join us in discovering the unique world of a stylish, fascinating, versatile filmmaker. By Paul Roquet.

August 25, 2009

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 3: The Seiten Films

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Roland Domenig delivers the third chapter in his in-depth history of the Japanese sex education film.

July 13, 2009

Yubari Hangs Steadily On

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In its second year after rising from its ashes, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival confirms its importance in discovering new talent. Includes an interview with director Tsuki Inoue. By Eija Niskanen

February 5, 2009

The Best of 2008 – Poll Results

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The votes are in! And the winner is...

February 2, 2009

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2008

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The new year wouldn't be the new year without the traditional best and worst lists from our contributors.

December 15, 2008

Jun Ichikawa – An Appreciation

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Mark Schilling pays tribute to director Jun Ichikawa, director of Tony Takitani, Tokyo Marigold and many others, who died September 19, 2008.

August 22, 2008

Behind the Pink Curtain

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An in-depth and exclusive spotlight on Behind the Pink Curtain, the groundbreaking book by Jasper Sharp.

June 17, 2008

Go! Go! Yubari

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Tom Mes sends a postcard from the resurrection of one of Asia's finest festivals, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.

May 17, 2008

Tomoyasu Murata and Company

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A profile of one of Japan's most original animators, with a complete filmography. By Catherine Munroe Hotes.

January 18, 2008

The Best of 2007 – Poll Results

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The votes are in! And the winner is...

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2007

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It's that time again. We put our heads together to bring you our favourite and and not-so-favourite Japanese films of the past year.

May 14, 2007

Eiichi Kudo’s Guerrilla Filmmaking

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Robin Gatto shines a much needed light on an obscure master of the chanbara film, Eiichi Kudo, director of The Great Killing and the original 13 Assassins.

March 22, 2007

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 2: The Post-War Years and the Basukon Eiga

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Roland Domenig continues his trek through the obscure history of the Japanese sex education film, in part 2 of this ongoing series.

February 11, 2007

Mikio Naruse – A Modern Classic

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Eija Niskanen provides the perfect introduction to the work of this great creator of modest but extremely resonant films.

January 16, 2007

The Best of 2006 – Poll Results

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The readers have spoken. Your favourite Japanese film of 2006 is...

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2006

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The makers of Midnight Eye get together to give your their traditional year-end lists.

December 29, 2006

Company Matsuo and the World of Japanese Adult Video

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An in-depth look at the world of the japanese porn industry, guided by one of its most prolific practicioners, Company Matsuo, the master of hamedori. By Johannes Schönherr.

December 1, 2006

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan Part 1: The Pre-War Years

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Special guest Roland Domenig illuminates another dark corner of Japanese film history, in the first of a four-part series.

October 13, 2006

Pia Film Festival 2006

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Eija Niskanen reports from Tokyo's annual platform for new filmmakers and finds that this crucial festival remains as pioneering as ever.

September 29, 2006

Tiger! Tiger! Burning Bright – R.I.P. Tetsuro Tamba, 1922 – 2006

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Ubiquitous yet unique - "Japan's Super Actor" remembered.

September 13, 2006

Nippon Connection’s Anti-Canon

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Special guest Abé Mark Nornes discusses the importance and significance of Frankfurt's delightful Nippon Connection festival, and what it says about our changing views on Japanese film.

July 11, 2006

Recent Film Policy and the Fate of Film Criticism in Japan

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The Japanese government's attempts to support film may have some adverse effects, as special guest Aaron Gerow observes.

June 8, 2006

Hollywood Japan File

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A hard look at the more obscure recesses of the rich history of foreign films about Japan, packing in low budget film noir, Ed Wood-penned monster movies and Bollywood musicals. By Matt Kaufman.

May 3, 2006

Six Degrees of Kiefer Sutherland: The World of Anime Voice Acting

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Anime authority Jonathan Clements kicks off our series of special guest features, with an odyssey through the weird world of anime voice acting.

March 7, 2006

The Best of 2005 – Poll Results

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Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese film of 2005.

January 22, 2006

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2005

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The Midnight Eye folks present their lists of a year's worth of highs and lows.

December 22, 2005

The Death of J-Horror?

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It has a rich past and an active present, but what about the future? A descent into the dark waters of Japanese horror film history, by Nicholas Rucka.

Strange Tales of Nobuo Nakagawa

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Jason Gray and Tom Mes explore the length and breadth of the works by Japan's master of the macabre.

November 22, 2005

Light from the Rising Sun: Treasures of Japanese Silent Cinema at Pordenone

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Alexander Jacoby delves into the silent past of Japan's oldest film studio and uncovers rare gems by the likes of Ozu, Shimizu, Naruse and Ito.

October 24, 2005

Remembering Kenji Misumi

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A salute to one of the genre's late masters, as remembered by those who worked with him. By Robin Gatto and Tom Mes.

September 21, 2005

The Pia Film Festival and Jishu Eiga

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A look at the impact and legacy of the PIA Film Festival and Japan's thriving 'jishu eiga' indie scene. By Jasper Sharp.

August 25, 2005

Underground Cinema and the Art Theatre Guild

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A deeper look at the close symbiotic relationship between New Wave bastion ATG and Tokyo's cinematic underground of the 1960s. By Go Hirasawa.

June 15, 2005

Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto

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An exclusive and in-depth spotlight on the book Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto by Tom Mes.

May 11, 2005

The Rise and Fall of Rokuro Mochizuki

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Join us as we dive headlong into the sordid world of one of the major Japanese filmmakers of the past decade, who is only just starting to get his due in the West. By Tom Mes.

April 12, 2005

A Tribute to Kihachi Okamoto

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Midnight Eye salutes the multi-faceted talents of director Kihachi Okamoto - of Sword of Doom, Human Bullet and Red Lion fame - who passed away at the age of 81.

March 6, 2005

The Best of 2004 – Poll Results

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Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese film of 2004 is...

February 28, 2005

Tomu Uchida at Tokyo FILMeX 2004

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Jasper Sharp, Jason Gray and Tom Mes attended the Tokyo FILMeX festival's groundbreaking retrospective of the fascinating works of Tomu Uchida.

January 28, 2005

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2004

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Our editors and contributors choose their annual likes and dislikes from a year's worth of Japanese films.

November 29, 2004

Japanese Anime and the Animated Cartoon

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Anime boom? Globalisation of Japanese pop culture? Anime has been around us for a long, long time. And not just in the vicinity of Tokyo, Michael Arnold argues.

The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film

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An exclusive spotlight on the book The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp.

November 1, 2004

Pioneers of Japanese Animation at PIFan – Part 2

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Part 2 of Jasper Sharp's odyssey into the early days of Japanese animation.

September 23, 2004

Pioneers of Japanese Animation at PIFan – Part 1

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When anime was in its infancy, a handful of men made an indelible mark on the genre. Jasper Sharp investigates.

August 4, 2004

Yusaku Matsuda: Lost Rebel

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In praise of the life and career of one Japan's best-loved movie stars, who remains a virtual unknown abroad: Yusaku Matsuda. By Tom Mes.

June 28, 2004

The Anticipation of Freedom: Art Theatre Guild and Japanese Independent Cinema

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Roland Domenig's in-depth look at the history of the production house whose name is synonymous with the Japanese New Wave.

May 17, 2004

A Salute to Tomio Aoki

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Midnight Eye pays tribute to an actor whose career spanned the length of Japanese film history.

April 15, 2004

Hiroshi Shimizu – Silent Master of the Japanese Ethos

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One of the most overlooked giants of Japanese cinema gets his due with this encompassing look at some of his early classics. By William M. Drew.

March 10, 2004

Samurai Cinema 101

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Brush up your knowledge of samurai films with our introduction to Japanese cinema's most enduring genre. By Nicholas Rucka.

The Best of 2003 – Poll Results

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Midnight Eye readers select their favourite Japanese films of 2003.

February 16, 2004

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2003

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We at Midnight Eye reveal our favourite and not so favourite Japanese films of 2003.

December 8, 2003

The World of Yasujiro Ozu

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Midnight Eye celebrates the centenary of "the most Japanese of directors".

November 5, 2003

Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2003 Report

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Jasper Sharp writes in from one of the world's most respected documentary film festivals and discovers the real cutting edge of Japanese cinema.

September 20, 2003

Out of This World – Set Report

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On set with director Junji Sakamoto for a recreation of post-war Japan that stars Peter Mullan, Joe Odagiri and Sho Aikawa. By Jason Gray.

August 4, 2003

PIFan 2003 Report

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The inside scoop on one of Asia's fastest-growing and most interesting film festivals: the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. By Jasper Sharp.

July 1, 2003

Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike

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An exclusive spotlight on the book Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike by Tom Mes.

May 12, 2003

Beyond Anime: A Brief Guide to Experimental Japanese Animation

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A huge world of stunning Japanese animation exists beyond what we know as anime. Jasper Sharp uncovers some true gems.

February 17, 2003

The Best of 2002 – Poll Results

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Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2002.

January 22, 2003

In Memoriam Kinji Fukasaku (1930 – 2003)

picture: In Memoriam Kinji Fukasaku (1930 – 2003)

Our humble tribute to one of Japanese cinema's true greats.

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2002

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Midnight Eye's lists of the best, and worst, in Japanese cinema of 2002.

July 16, 2002

Forgotten Fragments: An Introduction to Japanese Silent Cinema

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Benshi narrator Midori Sawato leads us on our second foray into the world of silent cinema. By Jasper Sharp and Michael Arnold.

March 7, 2002

A Page of Madness

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Jasper Sharp looks at a silent classic that remains startling and fresh today.

February 28, 2002

The Best of 2001 – Poll Results

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Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese films of 2001.

January 23, 2002

Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2001

picture: Midnight Eye’s Best (and Worst) of 2001

Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp reveal their favourite Japanese films of 2001.

July 24, 2001

The Concert Films of Sogo Ishii

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The early 80s punk scene, as captured on camera by one Sogo Ishii. By Tom Mes.

May 29, 2001

The Film School of Tokyo

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Tom Mes visits the training ground of Japan's future filmmakers.

March 10, 2001

Tetsuji Takechi: Erotic Nightmares

picture: Tetsuji Takechi: Erotic Nightmares

Though his legacy as the godfather of pink film remains, Tetsuji Takechi's career is shrouded in mystery. Jasper Sharp unravels the enigma.