The Models and the Photographer
(“Moderu to shashinka”)
1958 / B&W / 16mm (orig. 35mm) / 27 min
Directors: Nakamura Masaya, Osanai Haruo
Photography: Segawa Hiroshi
Editing: Shuzui Fusako
Narrator: Takewaki Shosaku
Producers: Ono Tadashi, Kawasaki Yoshiya
Production Companies: Japan Document Film, Toho Entertainment
Source: Japan Document Film
This film depicts the way in which Nakamura Masaya, winner of the Newcomer of 1957 award from the Association of Photography Critics, works with eight models to shoot nudes and glamor photos in the studio and at the seaside. We see how the photos change according to angle, lighting, communication with the models and the composition of the backgrounds. The cameraman’s ideas and unique set-ups make the women appear even more beautiful. Born in 1926 , Nakamura Masaya eventually became the president of the Japan Advertising Photographer’s Association. Although such films as The Flesh Market (“Nikutai ichiba,” dir. Kobayashi Satoru, 1962), The Free Trade of Flesh (“Nikutai jiyuboeki,” dir. Motoki Sojiro, 1962), and Valley of Desire (“Joyoku no dokutsu,” dir. Seki Koji, 1963) are called the first generation of Japanese “pink films” (pinku eiga), this film occupies a place as an important erotic work before the appearance of pink film.