Hiroshi Shimizu (director)
Hiroshi Shimizu | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 23 June 1966 | (aged 63)
Other names | Takahiko Minamoto, Umihiko Yuhara |
Occupation(s) | film director, screenwriter, editor |
Years active | 1924 - 1959 |
Hiroshi Shimizu (清水 宏, Shimizu Hiroshi, March 28, 1903 – June 23, 1966) was a Japanese film director, known for his silent films with detailed depictions of Japanese society.
Career
Shimizu was born in Shizuoka Prefecture and attended Hokkaidō University but left before graduating.[1] He joined the Shochiku studio in Tokyo in 1921 and made his directorial debut in 1924, at the age of just 21.[1][2] A friend and colleague of Yasujirō Ozu, he directed over 160 films during his career.[2]
His early work was mostly melodramatic or featured "wakadanna", the sons of rich merchants who led a playboy lifestyle[1] (somewhat in a reflection of his own youth[2]). His work in the 1930s, however, increasingly took advantage of shooting on location[1] and non-professional actors and was praised at the time by film critics such as Matsuo Kishi for its realism. Chris Fujiwara has noted the use of repetition, plotlessness, punctuation, and a modern touch in Shimizu's work.[3]
His later work often focused on children, and Shimizu himself worked to help war orphans after World War II,[2] an experience that led to the film Children of the Beehive which Jacoby calls a “masterpiece of neo-realism”. [4] His films featured all sorts of children, ranging from those who do not love, or are unloved by their parents, to children that are rejected by their peers or become social outcasts to even those that suffer from illness and disability. While the premise of the stories differed, a common theme often persisted. Shimizu utilized individuals who are excluded from a group to make social commentary and criticism of society through the group themselves.[5]
Fellow director Kenji Mizoguchi gave him praise, stating "People like me and Ozu get films made by hard work, but Shimizu is a genius..."[6]
Shimizu also explored themes of maternal self-sacrifice and, in general, fallen female roles. In these films his heroine was often accepting the burden of supporting a male dependent or relative to afford them the opportunity to go to school or become successful in life. However their efforts and sacrifice do not lead to their aim and their actions are called to question from which it seems that tragedy will inevitably follow. Alexander Jacoby explains this as a “critical of the double standard which expects women to sacrifice everything for the sake of their male dependents, while indulging in moralistic condemnation of the methods they are required to adopt to do so.[5]
He died of a heart attack on June 23, 1966, at the age of 63. Though respected in his time, today he is largely unknown, even in his native Japan.[citation needed] In 2008, Shochiku released two box sets which include eight of his films (Region 2 format, with both Japanese and English subtitles). In 2009, a Criterion Collection box set of four of his films (corresponding to the first Shochiku set) was released in the Region 1 format.[7]
Filmography
Filmography of Hiroshi Shimizu[4] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Rōmaji Title | Japanese Title | English Title | |
1920s | ||||
1924 | Tōge no kanata | 峠の彼方 | Beyond the Pass | |
Yamaotoko no koi | 山男の恋 | The Love of a Mountain Man | ||
Koi yori butai e | 恋より舞台 | Theater Before Love | ||
Shiragiku no uta | 白菊の歌 | Song of the White Chrysanthemum | ||
Koi ni kuruu yaiba | 恋に狂ふ刃 | Love-Crazed Blade | ||
Mura no bokujo | 村の牧場 | The Village Pasture | ||
1925 | Chiisaki tabi geinin | 小さき旅芸人 | The Little Traveling Player | |
Kagaribi no yoru | 篝火の夜 | Bonfire Night | ||
Momoiro no toge | 桃色の棘 | The Pink Thorn | ||
Gekiryū no sakebi | 激流の叫び | Roar of the Torrent | ||
Gijin no yaiba | 義人の刃 | Blade of a Righteous Man | ||
Sutaremono | すたれ者 | The Outdated Man | ||
Isshin-ji no hyakuningiri | 一心寺の百人斬 | The Killing of a Hundred Men at Isshinji Temple | ||
Kotetsu no kireaji | 虎徹の斬れ味 | Sharpness of the Blade | ||
Ochimusha | 落武者 | The Fleeing Warrior | ||
Koi no honawa | 恋の捕縄 | Snare of Love | ||
1926 | Nayamashiki koro | 悩ましき頃 | Lovelorn Times | |
Bijin to rōnin | 美人と浪人 | The Beauty and the Ronin | ||
Shinjū Satsuma uta | 心中薩摩歌 | Song of a Double Suicide in Satsuma | ||
Shinku no jōnetsu | 真紅の情熱 | Crimson Passion | ||
Kyōko to Shizuko | 京子と倭文子 | Kyoko and Shizuko | ||
Uragiraremono | 裏切られ者 | The Betrayed Man | ||
Yōtō | 妖刀 | The Amorous Blade | ||
Kyōdoranshin | 狂怒乱心 | Feelings in Turmoil | ||
Nageki no bara | 嘆きの薔薇 | Roses of Grief | ||
1927 | Sannin no musume | 三人の娘 | Three Daughters | |
Oteru to Oyuki | お照とお雪 | Oteru and Oyuki | ||
Kare to mibōjin | 彼と未亡人 | He and the Widow | ||
Kyōren no Maria | 狂恋のマリア | Love-Crazed Madonna | ||
Haru no ame | 春の雨 | Spring Rain | ||
Renbo yasha | 恋慕夜叉 | Idol of Love | ||
Koi wa kusemono | 恋は曲者 | Love is Tricky | ||
Honoo no sora | 炎の空 | Flaming Sky | ||
Jinsei no namida | 人生の涙 | Tears of Life | ||
Fukeiki seibatsu | 不景気征伐 | Victory over the Depression | ||
Shusse no chikamichi | 出世の近道 | Shortcut to Success | ||
Inaka no dateotoko | 田舎の伊達男 | A Country Dandy | ||
1928 | Aiyoku hensōzu | 愛欲変相図 | A Portrait of Changing Love | |
Umi ni sakebu onna | 海に叫ぶ女 | The Woman Who Calls to the Sea | ||
Ren’ai futari angya | 恋愛二人行脚 | A Couple's Pilgrimage of Love | ||
Odore wakamono | 踊れ若者 | Dance, Young People | ||
Shōwa no onna | 昭和の女 | A Woman of the Showa Period | ||
Osananajimi | 幼なじみ | Childhood Friends | ||
Hirotta hanayome | 拾った花嫁 | A Picked-Up Bride | ||
Yamabiko | 山彦 | Mountain Echo | ||
Utsukushiki hōhaitachi | 美しき朋輩達 | Beautiful Best friends | ||
1929 | Mori no kajiya | 森の鍛冶屋 | The Village Blacksmith | |
Ahiru onna | あひる女 | Duck Woman | ||
Tōkyō no majutsu | 東京の魔術 | Magic of Tokyo | ||
Sutteki gāru | ステッキガール | Escort Girls | ||
Ukikusa musume tabifūzoku | 浮草娘旅風俗 | Travel Manners of a Vagrant Girl | ||
Mura no ōja | 村の王者 | The Village Champion | ||
Yōkina uta | 陽気な唄 | Cheerful Song | ||
Oya | 親 | Parent | ||
Jiman no segare | 自慢の倅 | Proud of My Son | ||
Fue no shiratama | 不壊の白珠 | Undying Pearl | ||
Chichi no negai | 父の願ひ | Father's Desire | ||
Renbo kouta | 恋慕小唄 | Short Song of Love | ||
Ren’ai: Daiikka | 恋愛第一課 | Love: Part One | ||
1930s | ||||
1930 | Kōshin tsumi ari | 紅唇罪あり | Sin on Red Lips | |
Shinjitsu no ai | 真実の愛 | True Love | ||
Kiro ni tachite | 岐路に立ちて | Standing at a Crossroads | ||
Hōyō | 抱擁 | Embrace | ||
Umi no kōshinkyoku | 海の行進曲 | March of the Sea | ||
Uwaki bakari wa betsumono da | 浮気ばかりは別者だ | Filtration Is Another Thing | ||
Seishun no chi wa odoru | 青春の血は躍る | Youthful Blood Dances | ||
Kiri no naka no akebono | 霧の中の曙 | Daybreak in the Mist | ||
Shin jidai ni ikiru | 新時代に生きる | Living in a New Era | ||
1931 | Gaki daishō | 餓鬼大将 | Bully | |
Ginga | 銀河 | The Milky Way | ||
Konsen nita fūfu | 混線ニタ夫婦 | Crossed Line Between Husband and Wife | ||
Ureibana | 有憂華 | Follower of Grief | ||
Sorya jikkan yo | そりゃ実感よ | Chalk It Up to Experience | ||
Kagayaku ai | かがやく愛 | Shining Love | ||
Kono haha ni tsumi ari ya | この母に罪ありや | This Mother Has Sinned | ||
Jinsei no fūsha | 人生の風車 | Windmill of Life | ||
Seishunzue | 青春図会 | An Illustrated Guide to Youth | ||
Nanatsu no umi: Zenpen: Shojo hen | 七つの海 前篇 処女篇 | Seven Seas: Part One: Virginity Chapter | ||
1932 | Jōnetsu | 情熱 | Passion | |
Nanatsu no umi: Kōhen: Teisō hen | 七つの海 後篇 貞操篇 | Seven Seas: Part Two: Chastity Chapter | ||
Manshū kōshinkyoku | 満州行進曲 | Manchurian Marching Song | ||
Rikugun daikōshin | 陸軍大行進 | The Army's Big March | ||
Umi no ōja | 海の王者 | King of the Sea | ||
Ai no bōfūrin | 愛の防風林 | Love's Windbreak | ||
Byakuya wa akuru | 白夜は明くる | Dawn after the Midnight Sun | ||
Gakuseigai no hanagata | 学生街の花形 | The Star of the Student Quarter | ||
Bōfūtai | 暴風帯 | Stormy Region | ||
1933 | Nemure haha no mune ni | 眠れ母の胸に | Sleep, at Mother's Breast | |
Nakinureta haru no onna yo | 泣き濡れた春の女よ | The Lady Who Wept in Spring | ||
Minato no Nihon musume | 港の日本娘 | Japanese Girls at the Harbour | ||
Ren’ai ittōryū | 恋愛一刀流 | Dexterity in Love | ||
Tabine no yume | 旅寝の夢 | A Traveler's Dream | ||
Daigaku no wakadanna | 大学の若旦那 | The Boss's Son at College | ||
1934 | Tōyō no haha | 東洋の母 | Mother from the Far East | |
Koi o shirisome mōshisōrō | 恋を知りそめ申し候 | Want to Know about Love | ||
Daigaku no wakadanna: Buyūden | 大学の若旦那・武勇伝 | The Boss's Son at College: Record of Valor | ||
Gion bayashi | 祇園囃子 | Gion Festival Music | ||
Daigaku no wakadanna: Taiheiraku | 大学の若旦那・太平楽 | The Boss's Son at College: Shooting the Breeze | ||
Kinkanshoku | 金環蝕 | Eclipse | ||
Ren’ai shūgaku ryokō | 恋愛修学旅行 | Love on a School Excursion | ||
Daigaku no wakadanna: Nihonbare | 大学の若旦那・日本晴れ | The Boss's Son: Cloudless Skies | ||
1935 | Tōkyō no eiyū | 東京の英雄 | A Hero of Tokyo | |
Wakadanna haruranman | 若旦那 春爛漫 | The Boss's Son's Youthful Innocence | ||
Kare to kanojo to shōnentachi | 彼と彼女と少年達 | The Man and the Woman and the Boys | ||
Sōshinzō | 双心臓 | Double Heart | ||
Ren’ai gōka ban | 恋愛豪華版 | Love in Luxury | ||
1936 | Wakadanna hyakumangoku | 若旦那 百万石 | The Boss's Son Is a Millionaire | |
Kanjō sanmyaku | 感情山脈 | Mountain Range of Emotion | ||
Arigatō-san | 有りがたうさん | Mr. Thank You | ||
Ai no hōsoku | 愛の法則 | Law of Love | ||
Jiyū no tenchi | 自由の天地 | Heaven and Earth Are Free | ||
Kimi yo takaraka ni utae | 君よ高らかに歌へ | Sing in a Loud Voice | ||
Seishun mankanshoku | 青春満艦飾 | Youth in Full Dress | ||
1937 | Ren’ai muteki kantai | 恋愛無敵艦隊 | Loves of the Invincible Fleet | |
Konjiki yasha | 金色夜叉 | The Golden Demon | ||
Koi mo wasurete | 恋も忘れて | Forget Love for Now | ||
Saraba sensen e | さらば戦線へ | Farewell, I Go to the Front | ||
Kaze no naka no kodomo | 風の中の子供 | Children in the Wind | ||
Hanagata senshu | 花形選手 | A Star Athlete | ||
1938 | Shin katei reki | 新家庭暦 | New Domestic History | |
Shuppatsu | 出発 | Departure | ||
Ōenka | 応援歌 | Cheerleaders’ Song | ||
Anma to onna | 按摩と女 | The Masseurs and a Woman | ||
Katei nikki | 家庭日記 | Family Diary | ||
1939 | Isōrō wa takaibiki | 居候は高鼾 | A Freeloader's Big Snore | |
Kodomo no shiki | 子供の四季 | Four Seasons of Children | ||
Onna no fūzoku: Daiichiwa: Ojōsan no nikki | 女の風俗 第一話お嬢さんの日記 | A Woman's Panners: Part One: Young Girl's Diary | ||
Hana no aru zassō | 花のある雑草 | Flowering Weed | ||
Kuwa no mi wa akai | 桑の実は紅い | Mulberries Are Red | ||
1940s | ||||
1940 | Watashi ni wa otto ga aru | 私には夫がある | I Have a Husband | |
Nobuko | 信子 | Nobuko | ||
Tomodachi | ともだち | Friends | ||
Nyonin tenshin | 女人転心 | Woman's Fickle Heart | ||
1941 | Mikaeri no tō | みかへりの搭 | Introspection Tower | |
Utajo oboegaki | 歌女おぼえ書 | Notes of an Itinerant Performer | ||
Donguri to shiinomi | 団栗と椎の実 | Acorns | ||
Akatsuki no gasshō | 暁の合唱 | Dawn Chorus | ||
Kanzashi | 簪 | Ornamental Hairpin | ||
1942 | Joi no kiroku | 女医の記録 | Record of a Woman Doctor | |
Kyōdai kaigi | 兄妹会議 | Meeting of a Brother and Sister | ||
1943 | Sayon no kane | サヨンの鐘 | Sayon's Bell | |
1945 | Hisshōka | 必勝歌 | Victory Song | |
1948 | Hachi no su no kodomotachi | 蜂の巣の子供たち | Children of the Beehive | |
Asu wa nihonbare | 明日は日本晴れ | Tomorrow There Will Be Fine Weather | ||
1949 | Musume jūhachi usotsuki jidai | 娘十八嘘つき時代 | At Eighteen a Girl Tells Lies | |
Ohara Shōsuke-san | 小原庄助さん | Ohara Shōsuke | ||
1950s | ||||
1950 | Bojō | 母情 | A Mother's Love | |
1951 | Sono go no hachi no su no kodomotachi | その後の蜂の巣の子供達 | Children of the Beehive: What Happened Next | |
Momo no hana no saku shita de | 桃の花の咲く下で | Under the Blossoming Peach | ||
1952 | Daibutsu-sama to kodomotachi | 大仏さまと子供たち | Children of the Great Buddha | |
1953 | Mogura yokochō | もぐら横丁 | Mole Alley | |
Nara ni wa furuki hotoketachi | 奈良には古き仏たち | Ancient Buddhas of Nara | ||
Tokai no yokogao | 都会の横顔 | Profile of a City | ||
1954 | Daini no seppun | 第二の接吻 | The Second Kiss | |
Tōshōdai-ji nite obāsan to kodomotachi | 唐招提寺にて お婆さんと子供たち | Old Woman and Children at Toshodai-ji | ||
1955 | Shiinomi gakuen | しいのみ学園 | The Shiinomi School | |
Jirō monogatari | 次郎物語 | The Tale of Jiro | ||
1956 | Naze kanojora wa sō natta ka | 何故彼女等はそうなったか | Why Did These Women Become Like This? | |
Ninjō baka | 人情馬鹿 | Stupid with Kindness | ||
Haha o motomeru kora | 母を求める子等 | Children Seeking a Mother | ||
Kiri no oto | 霧の音 | Sound in the Mist | ||
1957 | Odoriko | 踊子 | Dancing Girl | |
1958 | Haha no tabiji | 母の旅路 | A Mother's Journey | |
1959 | Haha no omokage | 母のおもかげ | Image of a Mother |
References
- ^ a b c d "Shimizu Hiroshi". Nihon jinmei daijiten+Plus. Kōdansha. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d Drew, William M. (15 April 2004). "Hiroshi Shimizu: Silent Master of the Japanese Ethos". Midnight Eye. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Fujiwara, Chris (2004). "Shimizu Hiroshi". FIPRESCI. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ a b Jacoby, Alexander (2008). A Critical Handbook of Japanese Film Directors. Berkeley, California: Stone Bridge Press. pp. 268–273. ISBN 978-1-933330-53-2.
- ^ a b Jacoby, Alexander. "Hiroshi Shimizu: A Hero of His Time". Senses of Cinema. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ http://www.midnighteye.com/features/hiroshi-shimizu-silent-master-of-the-japanese-ethos/
- ^ "Eclipse Series 15: Travels with Hiroshi Shimizu". Criterion Collection. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
External links
- Hiroshi Shimizu at IMDb
- Shimizu Hiroshi at the Japanese Movie Database (in Japanese)
- Jasper Sharp on Arigato-san Midnight Eye
- Shochiku film list