Films about Yamagata
The Man Who Shot Godzilla: Honda Ishiro Retrospective
The Natco Hour
Yamagata Household Cinema—A Look at Prewar Yamagata
Yamagata Venusography 2: Shinjuku, Tokyo
The Future of Yamagata and Film
The Riddle that is Yamagata, the Answer that is Yamagata
“Why did that guy from Yamagata make this film?” “Why was this picture set in Yamagata?” I started getting questions like these about movies connected to Yamagata from a variety of people after the “Films about Yamagata” special program at the last festival. Everything has a reason. The same goes for people and films—a film made by a person from Yamagata, a film set in Yamagata. Why was it made in Yamagata? Why were people from Yamagata chosen for this film? There are always answers to these questions.
Film director Honda Ishiro, who was born in Tsuruoka, Yamagata, made many special-effects movies, including the world-famous monster film, Godzilla. Why do his films continue to be appreciated and talked about by people all over the world? The featured program, “The Man Who Shot Godzilla: Honda Ishiro Retrospective,” attempts to find an answer to this question.
Educational films were made by the Civil Information and Education (CIE) section of the Allied occupation after World War II to educate people throughout Japan about democracy. They were called “Natco films,” after the projectors used to screen them. These films had a deep connection to Yamagata Prefecture. This relationship is explored in “The Natco Hour.”
“Yamagata Household Cinema” will introduce rare documentary films that recorded Yamagata before the war. What was happening in Yamagata back then? You will find your own answer in “nostalgic but new” images that will exceed your expectations.
In “Yamagata Venusography,” a singer from Yamagata takes the stage in a film set in Shinjuku. Why Shinjuku? Again, you will discover why in this movie.
“The Future of Yamagata and Film” will show films directed by graduates of an art university in Yamagata. What did they learn in Yamagata? How is their study in Yamagata reflected in their films? You’ll have a chance to witness this with your own eyes.
“Films about Yamagata” is a journey—a short journey to seek your own answers to many questions. After the experience, you will surely see Yamagata in a new light.
Saito Kenta (dc3 inc.)