Film list

[the-ainu-bear-ceremony--Film-image]
The Ainu Bear Ceremony 1931 27'
    Directed by Neil G. Munro .
The RAI has reedited the original film of this ceremony among the Ainu people of Japan. In the bear ceremony, now no longer performed, a specially reared bear was reverently killed and its flesh and
Central Asia and Far East Ritual Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[dream-girls--Film-image]
Dream Girls 1993 50'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto Jano Williams .
This award-winning film opens a door into the amazing world of the Takarazuka Revue, the all-female theatre troupe in Japan. Thousands of young women aspire to perform in the Revue’s glitzy musical
Central Asia and Far East Public Figure Popular Culture Dance / Theatre / Performance Gender Role and Identity
[eat-the-kimono--Film-image]
Eat the Kimono 1989 60'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto Claire Hunt .
A compelling biography of Hanayagi Genshu, a feminist and dancer who spent her lifetime defying the conservative traditions of Japanese society with her radical politics and unconventional
Central Asia and Far East Public Figure Gender Role and Identity Art / Artists / Artisans Dance / Theatre / Performance Alternative culture
[gaea-girls--Film-image]
Gaea Girls 2000 106'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto Jano Williams .
A film about courage, transformation and dreams in the extraordinary world of Japanese women's wrestling. Gaea Girls focuses on the hopes and fears of the beleaguered Gaea Japan squad, whose
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Sport
[the-gaijin--Film-image]
The Gaijin 2008 24'
    Directed by Chris Christodoulou .
‘The Gaijin’ tells the story of an individual negotiating his identity in a foreign country. It follows Luke Jonathan Driscoll, an American who has been residing in Japan for nearly 3 years and
Central Asia and Far East Migration
[the-good-wife-of-tokyo--Film-image]
The Good Wife of Tokyo 1992 52'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto Clare Hunt .
Kazuko Hohki goes back to Tokyo with her band, the ‘Frank Chickens’, after living in England for 15 years. This wry and delightful film records her re-experiencing of Japan after a long absence,
Central Asia and Far East Music / Ethnomusicology Gender Role and Identity Marriage Social Change
[in-pursuit-of-happiness--Film-image]
In Pursuit of Happiness 2009 31'
    Directed by Ray Ono .
Tokyo life as rarely seen on mainstream media. This short film takes you to the lives of men who live on the outskirts of the city and of Japanese society.
Central Asia and Far East Alternative culture Urban Squatter Settlements / Homelessness
[playing-with-nan--Film-image]
Playing with Nan 2012 88'
    Directed by Dipesh Kharel Asami Saito .
Playing with Nan is the story of a Nepali young man who migrated to work in a Nepali restaurant in northern Japan. The film explores his daily life at work and his family at home, which reflects
South Asia Central Asia and Far East Labour Migration Socioeconomic conditions
[pushy-women--Film-image]
Pushy Women 2001 23'
  Directed by Caro MacDonald .
The modern Japanese woman has the world at her feet: she can pursue any career, wear whatever she likes, and spend her leisure time however she likes - even playing sumo. This film follows five young
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Sport
[shinjuku-boys--Film-image]
Shinjuku Boys 1997 54'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto Jano Williams .
A film about love and gender. This film is set in the New Marilyn night club in Tokyo where all the hosts are women who have decided to live as men. They make their living by working in a club with
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Sex / Sexuality Love
[we-dont-need-a-grave--Film-image]
We Don't Need A Grave 2014 27'
  .
'We Don't Need a Grave' attempts to show how the people who choose Shizenso rather than the typical family grave try to accept one's death. Shizenso is a natural mortuary practice that has no
Central Asia and Far East Religion / Belief / Faith Death Ritual