Limelight:
Four stars for Japan
From the far away island of the rising sun comes a wealth of art and beauty, honour and courage, purity and excellence that has left an indelible mark on the rest of the world.
It was just over 150 years ago that this distant Pacific island known as Nippon (source of the sun) ended its isolation after the arrival of American warships in Tokyo Bay in 1853. In less than a century Japan became a major power in world politics, industry, economy, art, architecture. Despite a crushing defeat in WWII following the dropping of the first atomic bombs ever used in warfare on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan has remained a leading player in world affairs, and one of its greatest industrial nations. It is a land of stark contrasts, of old and new, of East and West, of serenity and violence, of discipline and grace, of art and industry. Its graceful temples stand side by side with towering modern skyscrapers, its Sumo fans queue up for their favourite sport, as do baseball fans, and traditional kimonos walk side by side with thoroughly modern leather mini-skirts.
Steeped in ancient traditions, external influences from China, Korea and now the West, have not changed the core of Japan's distinctive characteristics, its love of beauty and purity, reflecting harmony between man and nature.
Historians know little of Japan's early days. The oldest written accounts consisting mainly of myth and legend, tell the story of the sun goddess who founded Japan and gave her, her first emperor. Buddhism came from China and brought with it a written language as well as many Chinese arts and crafts. Warring clans controlled the island and by 1200 the Shoguns (generals) came to power and ruled for almost 700 years. Europeans first heard of Japan from the Venetian traveller Marco Polo, who returned with tales of another land of gold and riches, the "Cipango" -- the country where the sun rises. In 1492 Christopher Columbus set sail West, aiming to land in Japan or the East Indies. Instead, the first Europeans to land in Japan were Portuguese sailors in 1543, followed by Jesuit priests and missionaries. Many natives converted to Christianity and trade with Europe flourished. In less than two decades however, suspicion of the foreigners grew, the Christian movement was crushed, and several thousand Japanese Christians were massacred by government troops at Shimabara in 1637. All foreigners were ordered to leave except for the Dutch who brought no missionaries. Japanese citizens who lived abroad were not allowed to return, and foreign sailors who were shipwrecked on their shores were killed, as described in the best-selling novel Shogun authored by James Clavell in 1980, which immediately became a popular TV series. The US was alarmed at the stories of violence and massacres and their missing sailors. They sent Commodore Mathew C Perry with 4 warships to convince Japan to open diplomatic and trade relations and ensure good treatment for shipwrecked US sailors. Thus, the Western "barbarians', as they were called, entered Japan through trade treaties, and with this new open-door policy Japan entered the modern world.
Film came to Japan in 1896 and the public learned of a strange Western world they knew nothing of. The first Japanese movies were presentations of "Kabuki" (classical theatre) or "Shimpa" (modern theatre), but with Hollywood productions dazzling Japanese viewers, their filmmakers moved away from ancient rigidity into the 20th century.
After WWII only 845 cinemas out of 2,500 were in working condition and the film industry came under control of the Supreme Command of Allied Powers. Half their films were forbidden by the Allies for "feudal and undemocratic contents", while a flood of American films were distributed and considered a "school of democracy". Young viewers stood in line to see American movies, much preferred to the few Japanese productions. In 1951 however, Japanese cinema was discovered by the West when the Venice Film Festival awarded its Grand Prize -- The Golden Lion to Rashomon, and its director Akira Kurosawa. Rashomon went on to win several international awards including the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, and Kurosawa became the darling of the international film set. He won numerous prestigious awards including the Palme d'Or at Cannes and two other Oscars -- one posthumously for his great achievements in film in 1999.
Born in 1910, the youngest of eight children, Kurosawa revealed an exceptional talent for painting, but chose to work as assistant to film directors Yamamoto and Takizawa. His first film Sanshiro Sugata, 1943 stunned audiences, and is still considered one of his best. Consistently depicting a deep reverence for his native traditions, Kurosawa also revealed a sense of modern inventiveness that seemed to be renewed with every production. His beautiful images and provocative ideas gained him a prominent place in the history of cinema. The Seven Samurai is hailed by critics as his masterpiece: "source of a genre that would flow through the rest of the century", writes Roger Ebert. Films like The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, and The Guns of Navarone revolving around a team, working together to fulfil a mission for the general benefit, were direct descendants of Kurosawa's Samurai. Yojimbo was remade as A Fistful of Dollars, and his Hidden Fortress inspired George Lucas's Star Wars.
Other directors have followed in the footsteps of the genius Kurosawa, despite the total domination of Hollywood blockbusters. Kitano Takeshi carried the banner after Kurosawa and now the international movie world is recognising director Hayao Miyazaki as one of the greatest animators of the age. His breathtaking plots and compelling characters have delighted Japanese viewers for years. He is revered and adored in his native land for his endless stream of rich ideas, and is king at Studio Ghibli where he wrote, directed and produced a series of critical and box office successes. His 1997 Princess Mononoké (Spirit) broke all previous records set by ET, Titanic and Star Wars I, and has become the highest grossing film in Japanese history, making $250 million to date. "We are thrilled to be associated with the great Miyazaki," exclaimed executives at Disney. So enraptured were they with his artistry, they have acquired the rights for world distribution of all Miyazaki's films starting with Spirited Away (1987). "It is a magnificent film and deserves to be seen by everyone who loves good story-telling and great characters."
Spirited Away follows the fanciful adventures of a ten year-old girl Chihirro, who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost on their way to their new home. Her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihirro must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, assorted creatures, and a wicked witch Ybabao, who tries to prevent Chihirro from returning to her human world.
Hats off to The Cairo International Children's Film Festival that has chosen Miyazaki's masterpiece Spirited Away to open its 13th session tonight at the Cairo Opera House. "A truly extraordinary film by one of the greatest filmmakers of our time," says Jack Lasseter of Pixar/Disney. A tremendous inspiration to generations of animators, Disney owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mr Miyazaki whose creativity has often helped solve problems of animation during the last two decades. "We are extremely proud to be extending that relationship with this truly extraordinary genius."
If you seek good entertainment for your children, do not miss this exquisite production, awarded the highest 4-star rating wherever it has been shown, by audiences, critics and theatre owners. We expect no less from the country of the rising sun that strives for excellence and pursues perfection in all that it endeavours -- from cars to computers, designer clothes to cameras, stunning simple floral arrangements to grand imposing architecture, fresh morsels of sushi to aromatic green tea and fragrant Saké, and from Akira Kurosawa to Hayao Miyazaki.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 13 - 19 March 2003 (Issue No. 629)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/629/pe2.htm