CENTURY OF JAPANESE CINEMA, A - THE YAMADA YOJI COLLECTION (5-DISCS)

[2502]

Stock Status: Out of Print

$0.00

Director: Yamada Yoji

Country: Japan

A 5 dvd box set featuring one of Japan's most celebrated directors!

HOME FROM THE SEA [KOKYO] (1972):
On a beautiful island in Seto Inner Sea, Seichi and Minko make their living by transporting rocks to construction sites by boat. They cherish the deepest affection for this piece of land they call home, and the simple life they lead. But rapid industrial growth makes it all but impossible to continue their chosen living style, and they are forced to leave their beloved hometown in search of a brighter future. But their hometown lingers on their hearts, and they dream of a time when they may once again return.
DVD FEATURES

Widescreen (1.66:1) Version

Japanese Audio

Optional English And Chinese Subtitles

Director's Biography and Filmography

THE VILLAGE [HARAKARA] (1975):
The film is set in Matsuo, a remote farming village in Iwate Prefecture in northern Honshu. On a snowy March evening, a youths' association, made up of local twenty-somethings, is visited by Hideko (Chieko Baisho), representative of a non-profit, Tokyo-based theatrical troupe. Hideko proposes that the group sponsor a performance of their touring musical, "Native Village." Staging the single performance, as well as paying for the troupe's transportation and boarding expenses, isn't cheap. Hideko tells them frankly that costs will run about 650,000 yen (several thousand U.S. dollars). If the show loses money the youths' association has to make up the deficit.

Though the group, led by its ineffectual president, Takashi (Akira Terao), takes an immediately liking to Hideko, it's also dubious of the huge financial responsibility. More than 800 tickets will need to be sold all in a tiny village of mostly rice farmers and unemployed miners. Eventually, the group is won over by Hideko's charm and perseverance, and preparations are made to stage the play.
DVD FEATURES

Widescreen (1.85:1) Version

Japanese Audio

Optional English And Chinese Subtitles

Director's Biography and Filmography

THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF [SHIAWASE NO KIIROI HANKACHI] (1977):
Another heartwarming gem from the creator of the Tora-san series, Yamada Yoji. This time round, the story of an ex-murderer on parole trying to make his way home to Hokkaido to meet his wife is handled with poignancy and great sensitivity.
DVD FEATURES

Widescreen (1.85:1) Version

Japanese Audio

Optional English And Chinese Subtitles

Director's Biography and Filmography

A DISTANT CRY FROM SPRING [HARUKA NARU YAMA NO YOBIGOE] (1980):
In the vast expanse of an unforgiving land, Kazami Tamiko, a widow who lives only with her young son, struggles to make a living by running a small diary farm. Life is harsh, yet pleasurable when she finds a congenial companion, Tajima Kosaku. When Kosaku's mysterious past is finally revealed, Kazami resolves on a radial change ¡¦ A ravishingly beautiful film by Yamada Yoji who steeped social realism in his aesthetic sense, and in which the art of both serenity and speech can be fully appreciated. A Distant Cry From Spring features Montreal World Film Festival Best Actor Award winner Takakura Ken, who gives a flawless portrayal as Kosaku; and Baisho Chieko (Home From The Sea and The Village) as Tamiko.
DVD FEATURES

Widescreen (1.85:1) Version

Japanese Audio

Optional English And Chinese Subtitles

Director's Biography and Filmography

FINAL TAKE [KINEMA NO TENCHI] (1986):
Final Take (Kinema no tenchi, or "Heavenly Cinema World," 1986) is Japanese director Yoji Yamada's love letter to 1930s moviemaking. A Shochiku production set at the company's own Kamata Studios during the transition from silent film to talkies, it traces one woman's journey from extra to leading player. It's made with obvious affection and movie buffs will find it fascinating, but it plays as if Yamada was eager to make a film about the era but couldn't settle on a story or tone for his picture.

Narimi Arimori (2002's Graveyard of Honor) stars as Koharu Tanaka, a young woman whose pretty features win her an invitation to join Shochiku as a New Face, a contract extra and bit player hired with an eye on building her up to bigger roles. At Shochiku she finds her work alternately thrilling and frustrating, and gradually hones her craft and falls in love with assistant director and aspiring screenwriter Kenjiro Shimada (Kiichi Nakai). Mild Spoiler When Shochiku's leading actress, Sumie Kawashima (Keiko Matsuzaka) suddenly elopes, Koharu is thrust like Ruby Keeler into the spotlight, making her starring debut in the company's big New Year release, a version of Floating Weeds.
DVD FEATURES

Widescreen (1.85:1) Version

Japanese Audio

Optional English And Chinese Subtitles

Director's Biography and Filmography

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CENTURY OF JAPANESE CINEMA, A - THE YAMADA YOJI COLLECTION (5-DISCS)

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Product 4 of 21 in category Asian Art House

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CENTURY OF JAPANESE CINEMA, A - THE YAMADA YOJI COLLECTION (5-DISCS)[2502]Stock Status: Out of Print

$0.00

CENTURY OF JAPANESE CINEMA, A - THE YAMADA YOJI COLLECTION (5-DISCS)

[2502]

Stock Status: Out of Print