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Japanese 8mm Kicks Ass Beautiful

Japanese 8mm Kicks Ass Beautiful

Combined programme | IFFR 2008

Curated by Ken Okubo
8mm is very important for film culture in Japan. Along with Super8 from Kodak, Japanese original format Single8 from Fuji Film Co. has been used by many film makers and directors. Fuji has announced to discontinue producing 8mm film stock and is now selling from the freezer for three to five years. This programme is a reflection of the activities with the Single8 and a plea for continuing the production of this unique format.

In this combined programme

Eyelids (World 6)
Short: Starting from Scratch
Do the eyelids open a camera or what the camera sees?
Tokyo/8mm/Still/Camera
Short: Starting from Scratch
Tokyo seen through an 8mm camera as if it’s a photo camera.
Print 8
Short: Starting from Scratch
Photogram of an ant.
The Arietta of a Child
Short: Starting from Scratch
An infant class got into trouble when the council reduced the grant.
A Portrait near the Window
Short: Starting from Scratch
The film maker looks out the window.
Syunsoku Series (1, 4, 5, 8, 9)
Short: Starting from Scratch
‘Syunsoku’ is the landscape seen in the blink of an eye. The camera shutter and projector are blinks or breathes.
There Is Tomorrow
Short: Starting from Scratch
Scenarios of post-war Japan with images of destruction.
Hakushu
Short: Starting from Scratch
An expression of feelings.
Suginami – Green
Short: Starting from Scratch
A dance of light on the river.
To the Suburbs
Short: Starting from Scratch
The demolition of enormous residential areas.
Ekuotosazu (in Seven Parts)
Short: Starting from Scratch
Each part of this film series is a small 50-foot journey looking at the world through a small window.
Sketch Film #4
Short: Starting from Scratch
With a great eye for composition and a roll of Super8 film the maker ‘scans’ the surroundings in a fragmentary way.
From the Train Window
Short: Starting from Scratch
Repetitive steel girders of a railway bridge.