Focus: V-cinema
Programme IFFR 2026
Japan’s direct-to-video phenomenon V-Cinema emerged in the late 1980s and left a lasting mark in contemporary film culture. The V-Cinema production model responded to the rise of video rental, by producing films that were not released in cinemas. This approach allowed directors to work quickly, economically, and with remarkable creative freedom. This Focus programme features a selection of 18 films: a combination of early works by now-famous auteurs, through to discoveries that have rarely been seen outside Japan.
Overview of films
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Anxious Virgin: One More Time, I Love You
Nakahara Shun | 76' | Japan | No premiere
A teenage boy is sent back to Earth from heaven so that he can lose his virginity, but is reincarnated as a girl. -
Betrayal Tomorrow
Eiichi Kudo | 97' | Japan | No premiere
A bad lieutenant on the mean streets of Yokohama, by Toei B-movie veteran Kudo Eiichi. -
Crime Hunter 2: Bullets of Betrayal
Ōkawa Toshimichi | 69' | Japan | No premiere
More action in this sequel to the originator of V-Cinema, featuring the other actor son of Kirk Douglas. -
Crime Hunter 3: Killing Bullet
Ōkawa Toshimichi | 76' | Japan | No premiere
Joe’s final mission is to rescue his ex-lover from the clutches of an evil crime lord. -
Crime Hunter: Bullets of Rage
Ōkawa Toshimichi | 60' | Japan | No premiere
It’s action all the way in the film that launched the V-Cinema phenomenon. -
Drug Connection
Shôkaku Baba | 110' | Japan | No premiere
Perfect Days star Koji Yakusho is a cocaine smuggler caught between mafia, triads and yakuza. -
Female Teacher: Forbidden Sex
Nakata Hideo | 84' | Japan | No premiere
Ring director Nakata Hideo’s directorial debut is a steamy tale of love in school corridors. -
Fudoh: The New Generation
Miike Takashi | 98' | Japan | No premiere
Underage assassins take on the yakuza in Miike Takashi’s gleeful celebration of excess. -
A Haunted School
Tsuruta Norio | 70' | Japan | No premiere
An early feature by a J-horror pioneer, in which even daylight won’t keep you safe from ghosts. -
The King of Minami
Haginiwa Sadaaki | 83' | Japan | No premiere
This tale of a loan shark helping small business owners became the quintessential V-Cinema series. -
The King of Minami: Special Ver. 50
Haginiwa Sadaaki | 110' | Japan | No premiere
The quintessential V-Cinema series reaches its 50th episode, with “King of V-Cinema” Takeuchi Riki still in the lead role. -
Orchids Under the Moon
Ishii Takashi | 88' | Japan | No premiere
An unlucky gambler finds new purpose in life after meeting a tearaway pop idol in trouble with the yakuza.