I have a question because I’ve been getting into East Asian cinema recently. I know of the greats like Akira Kurosawa and Oze, and I recently started watching Hirokazu Kooreda (who seems to be the more popular Japanese director today).
Can anyone recommend me new or popular Japanese films to release in recent years? Also, are there any other Japanese directors I would check out that stand out today? I know there is Kooreda, but not sure if there are a few unknown gems or upcoming directors that we don’t hear a lot about in the West. Any information on new movies and directors is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/12jkftk/new_or_popular_japanese_directors_and_movies_today/
4 comments
[Drive My Car](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive_My_Car_(film)) was pretty great, and even won an Academy Award.
[Makoto Shinkai’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoto_Shinkai) animated works have been getting critically acclaimed in recent years.
Unfortunately, the Japanese film industry doesn’t seem to be getting the same level of government support and investment as in certain other countries such as South Korea, so due to the relatively lower budgets and other factors, the number of unknown gems and blockbusters that we see from Japan will probably be fairly low until something changes.
From what I understand, the film industry in general just exists as a business and advertising platform. Companies band together, fund a film with flavor of the year idols and a few real actors, then make money off it.
You’ll basically only find quality films in smaller productions.
37 Seconds was a great movie.
Sabu. Check out ‘Mr Long’, but before that, watch Dangan Runner, Postman’s Blues, followed by Monday. That will give you a true sense of his style, and will allow you to enjoy Mr Long even more.
Koji Fukada is a director who has slowly been gaining recognition from cinephiles and arthouse circles. His latest film from last year, *Love Life*, premiered in competition at Venice Film Festival. *Harmonium* is currently considered his best film, and I have no doubt he will continue to direct films that will garner more acclaim from the West.
Another director who shows promise is Chie Hayakawa. Her debut film from last year, *Plan 75*, attracted lots of attention at various film festivals, was a hit at small theaters, and was submitted by Japan for the International Film category at the Oscars (though it sadly did not make the shortlist).