Artistic and intercultural dialogue in the Japanese cinema of the 1960s-70s

Novelty and timeliness

If Japanese cinema has been privileged among European and American critics, it is often because it purportedly contravenes the norms of classical Hollywood cinema, whose aim is to produce emotional catharsis and consequently commercial profit. Japanese filmmakers in the 1960s-70s naturally adhered to the so-called anti-illusionistic techniques in vogue at that time. Oshima, Imamura, Yoshida and Shinoda, among others, became true virtuosos in the employment of such techniques. However, their films, akin as they also are to Japanese traditional arts, especially those with a strong erotic element, are in no way intended to eliminate the body, emotion and contagion. In a time of revision of grand theories and master narratives, this research will contribute a novel approach by investigating the mixed nature of the Japanese New Wave cinema of the 1960s-70s, including its engagement with politics and ethnicity, as well as with other arts, as an alternative to traditional East-West dichotomies and ethnocentric views.

Objectives

1. To investigate the interface between the Japanese New Wave films and other arts (kabuki, noh, butoh, bunraku, ukiyo-e, e-makimono etc.).
2. To specify modes of address and spectatorship derived from this interface.
3. To investigate the intercultural and inter-racial dialogue contained in these films.
4. To investigate the relationship between politics and aesthetics in these films.
5. To examine their legacy in current practices and international co-productions.

Resource and facilities available

The student will find at the Leeds Centre for World Cinemas all the necessary support to develop his/her research. The university has two libraries with comprehensive and updated collections of books and journals on cinema and excellent audiovisual collections. The Language Centre, at the SMLC, has efficient self-access facilities and a large collection of world cinema films. A special room with IT facilities and permanent technical assistance is offered to PGRs.

Both Prof Nagib, with her world cinema knowledge and supervision experience, and Dr Ko, a native Japanese speaker and film specialist, are ideally placed to supervise this research.

Training provision for student

The PhD student’s training will follow the Leeds and Sheffield general guidelines, combined with specific film studies and Japanese culture training, as required by the research topic.

Within the CWC, PhD students receive special training on research on film. They are given the opportunity to audit relevant sessions or modules of the MA in World Cinemas and other related modules available at the University. Students are encouraged to give papers at national and international conferences, and we will help them find outlets to publish their work. All PhD students are given experience of co-teaching research-led modules close to their PhD topics. They are also supported in their efforts to develop collaborations and grant applications.

PhD students participate in the School of Modern Languages (Leeds) weekly Research Training Seminars, which provides training in research skills and issues. The network student will also be given the opportunity to audit relevant modules in the School of East Asian Studies at Sheffield, as well as its weekly seminars organised by WREAC.