Japan

Although worldwide appreciation of Japanese cinema began with Kurosawa's multi-award-winning Rashomon, the industry had long established itself. Directors such as Kenji Mizoguchi and Yasujiro Ozu were already making distinguished films. During the 1950s and 60s, the level of Japanese film indeed reached a perfection which allowed critics to speak of a "golden age," pointing to the achievements of not only Mizoguchi, Ozu, and Kurosawa, but also directors such as Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita, and Kon Ichikawa. The challenge of television in the 70s and 80s may have resulted in the disappearance of a major audience, but a sizeable number of film viewers remained to witness the emergence of young talent, now given the means to make films by the new freedoms within the industry itself. Susumu Hani, Nagisa Oshima, and Shohei Imuamura – these young directors began the new wave of independent production units which still distinguishes Japanese film. In the 90s and into the 21st century, more young directors took advantage of the independent production units, and of the marketing of VHS and DVD, turning TV itself into an ally...

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