The Ozu Diaries
2025 · 140m · Documentary
Unveiling Yasujiro Ozu’s legacy through his personal diaries, letters, and interviews, the documentary delves into his life, creative process, and lasting impact on filmmaking.
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Japanscope, panorama de la nouvelle Nouvelle Vague
2015
A “Cinéma, de notre temps” series episode directed by french filmmaker Philippe-Emmanuel Sorlin, originally aired 16 June 2015.
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Yakuza Eiga, une histoire du cinéma yakuza
2009 · ★ 7
The history of the Yakuza Eiga at the TOEI studio is roughly outlined. Real Yakuza and also their connections to the movie business are discussed, and many important actors and directors of the genres are interviewed. Former real yakuza boss turned actor Noboru Ando, Takashi Miike, Sonny Chiba and many more get a chance to speak.
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Shohei Imamura: The Free Thinker
1995 · ★ 8.5
Documentary about Japanese film director Shohei Imamura.
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Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director
1975 · ★ 7.2
In 39 interviews with actors and actresses, writers, producers and staff members, interspersed with film excerpts and stills, Shindō recounts the life and career of his friend and mentor Mizoguchi.
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The Erotic Empire
2002
A short documentary primarily focused on Nikkatsu's Roman Porno series.
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Sat-chan Tadashi-chan: Sengo minshu-teki dokuritsu pro funtō-ki
2015
After the war, many filmmakers were expelled from the Japanese film industry due to the Toho Dispute and the Red Purge. Amid such circumstances, there were people who set up their own independent production companies and embarked on film production without relying on corporations. This documentary film focuses on the passionate "spirit of film" of directors such as Satsuo Yamamoto and Tadashi Imai, who, despite many hardships, produced a succession of masterpieces overflowing with humanism and rebellious spirit.
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North Bergen, North Bergen
2022
Footage shot in and around North Bergen, New Jersey presented in a minimalist series of fixed camera angles and long-takes accompanied by the ambient noise of city streets.
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Japanese Cinema: New Territories
2011
This documentary by Hubert Niogret looks at the revival of Japanese cinema during the 1990s.
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I Lived, But...
1983 · ★ 6.8
An extremely lovely tribute to Ozu, on the 20th anniversary of his death. It uses a combination of footage from vintage films and new material (both interviews and Ozu-related locations) shot by Ozu's long-time camera-man (who came out of retirement to work on this). Surprisingly (or perhaps not), it focuses less on Ozu's accomplishments as a film-maker than on his impact on the lives of the people he worked with..
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Film Director Satsuo Yamamoto
1993
A documentary made to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Satsuo Yamamoto's death.
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A. K.
1985 · ★ 6.3
An intimate chronicle of the shooting of Ran (1985), a film directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
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