A Donald Richie Film Anthology
directed
by Donald Richie
Japan 2004
Theatrical Release: 1962-68
DVD Review: Image Forum, Japan - Region 0 - NTSC
Big thanks to Nick Wrigley for the Review!
| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution |
Image Forum, Japan Region 0 - NTSC |
| Runtime | Approx. 1:27:00 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
| Audio | English |
| Subtitles | Only needed on one film. Available. |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Image Forum, Japan Aspect Ratio: Edition Details (films):
WARGAMES (1962)
ATAMI BLUES (1962)
BOY WITH CAT (1966)
DEAD YOUTH (1967)
FIVE FILOSOPHICAL FABLES (1967)
CYBELE (1968)
DVD
Release Date: Sept 28, 2004 |
| Comments |
This interesting DVD of six of
film historian/critic Donald Richie's short films has been well put
together by Image Forum in Japan. The, mostly 16mm, prints have been well
transferred, and, for what are essentially private avant-garde films made
40 years ago, they are in very good shape. The disc features Richie speaking to camera for ten minutes or so. He introduces his films in this time and offers a "way in" for the first time viewer - perhaps aware that most people will not be accustomed to such films. Richie explains that these are poetic films, not originally intended for public exhibition, even if they occasionally have been over the years. The films are very interesting, experimental, visual poems - mostly without dialogue. The first film, WARGAMES, is, according to Richie, perhaps his most famous film. Everyone I speak to about this disc is fascinated that Richie had made so many films. One of the earlier films catches a man masturbating as his cat watches, whilst the last film in the collection features seven or so naked men rolling around in what looks like a graveyard with a naked woman. It's got everything really. |
Recommended Reading for Japanese Film Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Japan Journals : 1947-2004, by Donald Richie |
The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp |
Kon Ichikawa (Cinematheque Ontario Monographs) by James Quandt, Cinematheque Ontario |
Shohei Imamura (Cinematheque
Ontario Monographs, No. 1) by James Quandt |
Eros Plus Massacre: An
Introduction to the Japanese New Wave Cinema
(Midland Book, Mb 469) by David Desser |
The Films of Akira Kurosawa by Donald Ritchie |
by Yasujiro Ozu, Kogo Noda, Donald Richie, Eric Klestadt |
Ozu by Donald Ritchie |
A Hundred Years of Japanese Film by Donald Richie |
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Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...
