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.