http://www.worldcinemadirectory.org/
It's well put together for a primer, though if you're already into Japanese film, doubt you'll find anything new.
"From the revered classics of Akira Kurosawa to the modern marvels of Takeshi Kitano, the films that have emerged from Japan represent a national cinema that has gained worldwide admiration and appreciation. The Directory of World Cinema: Japan provides an insight into the cinema of Japan through reviews of significant titles and case studies of leading directors, alongside explorations of the cultural and industrial origins of key genres. The cinematic lineage of samurai warriors, yakuza enforcers and atomic monsters take their place alongside the politically charged works of the Japanese new wave, making this a truly unique volume. The ethos of Intellect's Directory of World Cinema as a project is probably best communicated by John Berra's editorial taken from the Japanese volume where he comments:
"This was never intended to be a conventional film guide, as the overall aim was always to discuss Japanese cultural life and history as expressed through the medium of film.""
It's well put together for a primer, though if you're already into Japanese film, doubt you'll find anything new.
"From the revered classics of Akira Kurosawa to the modern marvels of Takeshi Kitano, the films that have emerged from Japan represent a national cinema that has gained worldwide admiration and appreciation. The Directory of World Cinema: Japan provides an insight into the cinema of Japan through reviews of significant titles and case studies of leading directors, alongside explorations of the cultural and industrial origins of key genres. The cinematic lineage of samurai warriors, yakuza enforcers and atomic monsters take their place alongside the politically charged works of the Japanese new wave, making this a truly unique volume. The ethos of Intellect's Directory of World Cinema as a project is probably best communicated by John Berra's editorial taken from the Japanese volume where he comments:
"This was never intended to be a conventional film guide, as the overall aim was always to discuss Japanese cultural life and history as expressed through the medium of film.""
Edited: 2010-01-01, 7:25 pm
