Once into the 1980s, the studio system of commercial films declined into a state of virtual collapse in Japan enabling 8mm filmmaking to function as grounds to discover young film directors with talent. Young film directors who were recognized for their talent from their 8mm and 16mm films would then go on to direct commercial films. In other words, the trend allowed people to become film directors without gaining any experience at the film studio. Many film directors who would rise to the vanguard of the film industry were discovered in this way, such as Nobuhiko Ohbayashi, Sogo Ishii, Yoshimitsu Morita and Fumiyasu Yaguchi.
8mm shots below are from “High School Panic”, under our collection,directed by Sogo Ishii in 1977, when he was still in college.
   
   
One can see by this footage that the individuality of Sogo’s character in presenting violence and action in filmmaking is displayed even from his first 8mm work. Sogo , now a director of feature films, would rapidly rise to become the representation of students involved in independent filmmaking. Sogo is from the City of Fukuoka, and several of his works blown up from 8mm to 16mm, are presently under preservation at the Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive. Our film archive uses a digital video version when exhibiting these titles at our premises. For your information, “High School Panic” is available in DVD. NEXT PAGE→
TO:FORUM SYMPOSIUM FILM ARCHIVE COMMUNICATION FUKUOKA'S CONGRESS ACTIVITIES FUKUOKA'S HOME PAGE
|