Midnight Eye feature: Guide to Japanese Movie Shopping (& Watching)





	Of all the emails we get from you, our readers, by far the most frequently asked question is: "How can I get hold of these films?". Though the international distribution of Japanese films is slowly but surely improving, a trip to the local video rental shop usually turns up little beside that battered old VHS of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence that's been gathering dust on the top shelf for the last fifteen years. So how do we get to see all those Japanese films, and more importantly: how can you do the same? This article is our attempt to answer all those emails at once: Midnight Eye's Guide to Japanese Movie Shopping (& Watching).

	On the big screen 1. Keep your eye on the cinema listings A fairly obvious point perhaps, but easily overlooked. We're not just talking about new releases, but also revivals, retrospectives and special seasons. Look particularly for those obscure cinemas who you think only show late-night Bergman and Fellini. Revival houses, cinematheques, neighbourhood theatres and the like can often have major surprises up their sleeves. 2. Keep your eye on other places that might show Japanese films Japanese embassies and cultural centres usually offer screenings of old and new Japanese films at greatly reduced prices, as well as retrospectives and special seasons. For instance, the Japanese embassy in London has FREE screenings of Japanese films every two weeks: http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/event/film.html Also make sure to regularly check the listings of museums, universities and colleges. Usually they accompany their film screenings with debates and special presentations, sometimes with filmmakers present. 3. Go to film festivals Far from the highbrow celebrations of incomprehensible arty fare, film festivals of all shapes and sizes have been THE place to watch Japanese films you would otherwise never be able to see. In fact, if it weren't for film festivals no Japanese film would ever be shown across Japan's borders. On the small screen 1. Know your online retailers Online shopping is the easiest way to have access to DVDs, VCDs and videos of Japanese films, and there is a staggering amount of titles available for those who own a credit card. There are a number of retailers that specialise in Japanese and Asian films. The ones to bookmark are: DDDHouse http://www.dddhouse.com This Hong Kong-based DVD/VCD specialist sells only Hong Kong releases. They have a special section for Japanese films released by HK labels and their site is in English. Prices are sometimes staggeringly low, but the quality of some HK DVD releases can sometimes be a letdown. Nearly all DVDs and VCDs come with English (and Chinese) subtitles. Poker Industries http://www.pokerindustries.com US-based retailer that sells English-subtitled Asian films from all corners of the globe. Sazuma http://www.sazuma.com Another source for subtitled imports. CD Japan http://www.cdjapan.co.jp Sells only Japanese releases, which they have a gigantic supply of titles on DVD and VHS. Unfortunately, given the current policies of Japanese distributors, most DVDs don't have English subtitles and are rather pricey. A big plus: the site's in English and is constantly updated and improved. Amazon http://www.amazon.com http://www.amazon.co.uk Yes, even the old giant of online retail sells Japanese films, though obviously limited to domestic releases. Give it a try though, you'd be surprised what you can still find available. Blackstar http://www.blackstar.co.uk If it's been released in the UK, Blackstar should have it. FNAC http://www.fnac.com In French only, but with the recent spate of Japanese films released on DVD there, those with even the slightest knowledge of the language shouldn't hesitate to check it out. In fact, French speakers seem to fare rather better than the rest of the world when it comes to accessibility to older classics by directors such as Ozu, Mizoguchi, Imamura, Oshima and even Tsukamoto, and there's some good double disk DVD deals knocking around too. DVD Asian http://www.dvdasian.com For those who can read and write kanji, the following Japanese retailers should provide another great place to part with your hard-earned cash: Tsutaya http://www.tsutaya.co.jp Amazon Japan http://www.amazon.co.jp Yahoo Japan Shopping http://shopping.yahoo.co.jp/movies 2. Subscribe to retailer mailing lists Most of the above retailers have a mailing list that will inform you of new and future releases. 3. Check out online resources for release info Forums, message boards and various Asian film sites will keep you updated on the latest releases, since everyone on there is as serious about buying and watching Japanese films as you are. Here's another list of essential bookmarks: Mobius Home Video Forum http://www.mhvf.net Their Asian film forum is known for its dedicated, intelligent and entertaining debate on anything to do with Asian film, including a lot of Japanese info. Members regularly post information on DVD releases and availability, as well as cinema events all over the world. An essential site if you want to keep up to date with Japanese cinema news. Kinejapan http://pears.lib.ohio-state.edu/Markus/Welcome.html Not a forum, but an email discussion list. Populated by scholars and enthusiasts alike. Like MHVF, this has valuable debate and news, with the added advantage of being dedicated exclusively to Japanese moving images. Asian DVD Guide http://www.asiandvdguide.com Indispensable guide to DVD releases of Asian films all over the world. All the info you want to know before you buy: subtitles, extra features, release dates, cover designs, plus independent reviews by other buyers and complete listings of Japanese films released in HK, Taiwan and Japan. Midnight Eye http://www.midnighteye.com/calendar/index.shtml That's where you are now. Make sure to check our Events Calendar regularly for DVD release dates and film events all over the world. 4. Check out distributors' websites There are a number of theatrical and home video distributors outside Japan who are known for their dedication to Japanese cinema and who have already released many a title. Going straight to the source will give you the most up-to-date information. Head for the distributors section of our links page for a list of international distributors specialising in Japanese film releases. 5. Visit Your Local Chinatown It seems ironic that the easiest way to see English subtitled Japanese films is via Hong Kong released DVDs and VCDs, but that's the way things are, and being as most major world cities from Los Angeles, London, Paris, New York, and even Amsterdam have a Chinatown where a lot of these films can be purchased (though admittedly at a rather inflated price in comparison with HK online retailers) you might as well take advantage of the fact. The VCD format might not be to everybody's taste and the sub translation is often a little shakey, to say the least, but if you consider that copies of Battle Royale were floating around in London some 6 months before the film got a theatrical release in the city, a scour around these areas can often provide some pretty rich pickings. There you have it: all our sources of info and merchandise. You now know just as much as we do about how to get hold of those elusive Japanese films.