Nikkatsu

Osaka art-house theater under fire for ‘roman porno’ screenings

By Amy Takahashi • April 17, 2012

Porn pics in residential area result in lawsuit

Only porn theater in Tohoku reopens after earthquake

By CJ • July 14, 2011

Ishinomaki Nikkatsu Pearl Cinema is back in business

Sensuous SM savant Oniroku Dan shuffles off mortal coil at age 79

By CJ • May 9, 2011

Oniroku Dan, author of some 120 works of erotic fiction involving sadism and masochism, about 50 of which were adapted into films — including “Hana to Hebi” (Flowers and Snakes), “Kurobara Fujin” (Madame Black Rose) and “Hakujitsumu” (Daydreaming) — passed away of esophageal cancer at a Tokyo hospital on May 6, the Tokyo Chunichi Sports (May 7) announced.

Sion Sono’s ‘Cold Fish’ nets Japan premiere at Tokyo Filmex

By CJ • November 28, 2010

Getting its Japan premiere at Tokyo Filmex on Saturday was art-house helmer Sion Sono’s latest pic, the gore fest “Tsumetai Nettaigyo” (Cold Fish), which he said goes in a completely different direction from his last pic, “Love Exposure.”

Tour of Asakusa

By CJ • August 29, 2010

Tokyo can be crudely described as a metropolis of soaring and undulating concrete collectively illuminated by a glow of garish neon. Yet bordering the Sumida River in the east is the Asakusa district, which adheres to many of those characteristics but also retains certain cultural elements of life back in the Edo Period (1615 – 1868).

New wave of Japanese cult films look overseas

By CJ • May 18, 2010

Japanese arthouse dramas and comedies routinely receive substantial critical acclaim internationally, but slipping under the radar and steadily gathering an overseas following is a new wave of low-budget cult pics. Japan’s domestic market continues to be dominated by pics based on well-known comic books or television programs. Targeting foreign coin by exploiting interests in exotic Asia is another option.

Koji Wakamatsu challenges merits of war with ‘Caterpillar’

By CJ • May 5, 2010

From his start in erotic “pink” films in the 1960s to “United Red Army,” the 2007 film about Japan’s leftist student movements from four decades ago, director Koji Wakamatsu has never shied away from provocation. For his new war drama “Caterpillar,” he attacks the hypocrisy inherent in nationalism and the suffering of innocent civilians.