Yoji Yamada's movie week at Usmar Ismail Film Center

Yoji Yamada's movie week at Usmar Ismail Film Center

By Gotot Prakosa

JAKARTA (JP): Since the invention of movies, Japan has been on
the leading edge among Asian countries in using this medium of
expression.

The Western techniques and methods generally used in films,
are less capable of expressing ideas according to the nation's
cultural character. Through sheer will and a firm determination,
Japanese filmmakers have overcome aesthetical problems by
inventing new techniques and methods, which have enriched the
world of film.

Japanese filmmakers like Yasujiro Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi,
Kazaburo Yoshimura, Keisuke Kineshita, Akira Kurosawa, Sohei
Imamura and Kehei Ogura are well-known even outside Japan.

Another popular filmmaker, Yoji Yamada, is celebrated for his
special touch in depicting the daily lives of Japanese living in
rural or urban communities. In his films, Yamada portrays bad,
good and common characters, in the end trying to give hope for a
better, happier life.

Jakarta movie buffs are fortunate in that they often have the
opportunity to view classic and contemporary Japanese films,
which are stored at the Japan Foundation here.

From July 7 to July 11, they can see five contemporary films
by Yoji Yamada. This special viewing will take place at the Usmar
Ismail Film Center on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta.

The films scheduled for screening are Yamada's 1977 film
Shiawese no Kiiroi Hankachi (The Yellow Handkerchief), which will
be shown on July 7; Kinema no Tenchi (Final Take), which was
produced in 1986 and will be screened on July 8; 1986's Niji o
Taukamu Otoko (The Rainbow Seeker), to be shown on July 9; a 1994
production, Gakko (A Class to Remember), will show on July 10;
and the 1996 Gakko II ( A Class to Remember II) will be shown on
July 11.

Shiawese no Kiiroi Hankachi is one of Yamada's masterpieces.
The movie centers on Kinya (Tetsuya Takeda), who drives out of
Tokyo with a broken heart. During the journey, Kinya meets a nice
girl Akemi (Kaori Momoi) and becomes acquainted with Yasuka (Ken
Tamura), who has just been released from prison.

The three continue their trip to Hokaido. But at Yubari city,
they are attacked by criminals and Yasuka helps Kinya dispose of
the bad guys. It turns out that Yasuka, despite his tough looks,
is a soft-natured man. He tells Kinya he is doubtful whether his
family will accept him after his release from jail.

The other films being screened are no less appealing than
Shiawese no Kiiroi Hankachi.

Kinema no Tenchi, which is set in the 1930s -- the transition
period from silent films to talkies, shows Yamada's typical
comedic touch. The movie tells of an idealist film producer who
meets a beautiful woman selling candy. The producer helps make
the woman star.

The life of the owner of a small theater, who almost goes
bankrupt for consistently showing the kind of quality films that
do not draw crowds, is well depicted in Niji o Taukamu Otoko.

Gakko portrays the life of a teacher, Kuroi (Toshiyuki
Nishida), who is happy with life and does not wish to be
transferred to a new school. In Gakko II, Nishida plays Rubei, a
teacher at a special school for the deaf.

Unfortunately, Jakarta's movie lovers will not have the chance
to see Yamada's popular film series about the adventures of
Torajiro, a simple and honest character. Yamada has directed more
than 20 Torajiro films, all of which have been warmly received by
fans, who eagerly await each new installment.