TOKYO FILMeX

The 1930s heralded a flowering of modernist culture, the arrival of sound films, and the maturation of cinema.
During that period at Shochiku's Kamata studio and its successor in Ofuna, new approaches to direction were tested, fresh new actors were groomed, and modern and stylish films were produced one after another. These films, which were directed with a refined touch and drew forth the natural charm of their up-and-coming stars who embodied popular trends as "modern girls" and "modern boys", still shine youthfully today.
Furthermore, the brand of petit bourgeois films that depicted the lives of ordinary people through a blend of humor and pathos was categorized as the Shochiku Kamata style, and produced countless classics. This is the perfect time to reappraise these films that captured humble lives through comedy, and roused laughter in the midst of difficult economic conditions resulting from a worldwide depression.
With a focus on SHIMAZU Yasujiro, who established the Kamata style and influenced dozens of directors, this program features a total of 27 works (including shorts) by master filmmakers such as GOSHO Heinosuke, SHIMIZU Hiroshi, OZU Yasujiro, and MIZOGUCHI Kenji.
In addition, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of world-renowned Japanese film actress TANAKA Kinuyo, several of her most representative films that showcase her versatile charm including "Flower in Storm" and "The life of Oharu" will also be screened.

| Films by SHIMAZU Yasujiro | Films by GOSHO Heinosuke | Films by SHIMIZU Hiroshi |
| Films by OZU Yasujiro | Film by KINUGASA Teinosuke | Film by Mizoguchi Kenji |
| Films featuring TANAKA Kinuyo | Short Films |

** = screening with English subtitles

Films by SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1932 / 88min. **screening with English subtitles
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1934 / 77min. **screening with English subtitles
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1935 / 100min. **screening with English subtitles
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1937 / 77min. / new print **screening with English subtitles
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1937 / 66min. / new print **screening with English subtitles
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1938 / 57min. **screening with English subtitles
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1939 / 56min.
Dir. SHIMAZU Yasujiro

Profile : SHIMAZU Yasujiro

1897-1945. Born in Kanda, Tokyo on June 3rd 1897 as the second son of marine products merchant Otojiro, SHIMAZU assisted with the family business after graduating from an English language school. But his passion for film grew, and in 1920 he applied to Shochiku after seeing a newspaper advertisement recruiting staff for their move into the film business. There he became an apprentice to Osanai Kaoru, and subsequently worked as an assistant director on the 1921 film “Souls on the Road” (Rojo no Reikon) at the Shochiku Cinema Institute. His directorial debut “Sabishiki Hitobito” (1921) was shelved, but in 1922 he returned to Shochiku's Kamata studio and was recognized as a director for films such as “Yama no Senroban” (1923). The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed studios in Tokyo and while most directors relocated to Kyoto, SHIMAZU remained in Tokyo and established a rapport with new Kamata studio head KIDO Shiro. Then he made a switch from Shinpa melodramatic tragedies to modern dramas that revolved around ordinary lives, establishing a brand of “petit bourgeois” films that would become known as the Kamata style. Beginning with “First Steps Ashore” (1932), he broke new ground in sound films, developing uniquely realistic talkies such as “Our Neighbor Miss Yae” (1934). Furthermore, he made a hit of his adaptation of TANIZAKI Junichiro's novel “Okoto to Sasuke”, setting the stage for future literary films. In “The Trio's Engagements” (1937), he applied his talents to creating to a new generation of stars. In 1939 he switched to Toho, but due to factors including growing state control of the film industry, he became unable to direct films at the same rate as in the past, but still delivered major hits such as “Shirasagi” (1941). Leaving “The Daily Battle” (1945) as his final work, he died of lung cancer on September 18th, 1945.
SHIMAZU was dedicated to cultivating new talent and many prominent filmmakers honed their skills working under him as assistant directors, such as GOSHO Heinosuke, TOYODA Shiro, YOSHIMURA Kozaburo, and KINOSHITA Keisuke at Shochiku, and TANIGUCHI Senkichi, SAEKI Kiyoshi, and SEKIKAWA Hideo at Toho.
His style of vividly depicting ordinary lives, especially in domestic dramas, was carried on and created the foundations of Japanese cinema. SHIMAZU Yasujiro's influence on Japanese film cannot be overestimated.

Films by GOSHO Heinosuke