- Paperback: 415 pages
- Publisher: FAB Press (Nov 3 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 190325454X
- ISBN-13: 978-1903254547
- Product Dimensions: 25 x 19.2 x 2.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 1.2 Kg
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #316,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Have For Japanese Pink Film Fanatics, Mar 18 2009
By D. Brown - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema (Paperback)
Jasper Sharp's encyclopedic approach to Japanese "pink" films is highly anticipated and rightfully so given Chris D's so-so Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, Schilling's enjoyable No Borders, No Limits: Nikkatsu Action Cinema (Cinema Classics) and Hunter's comprehensive Eros in Hell: Sex, Blood and Madness in Japanese Cinema (Creation Cinema Collection). Sharp's highly methodical approach to the subject (1960s to the present) may be considered a bit "dry," but it is well written and academics will appreciate it. A great draw of this work includes an amazing number of images both in black and white and color (unlike Chris D's advertised work). Each chapter ends with detailed footnotes and as a bonus each film is included in the appendix listed by film director. Sharp also acknowledges DVD re-issues of the films (i.e., Madame O, Entrails of a Beautiful Woman, and Daydream-re-issued by Something Weird). If you are familiar with Kimstim, Synapse Films, and other companies re-issuing Pink classics; you'll be elated that an author has a finger on the pulse of Pink fans.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must-read" for those interested in Japanese Cinema, July 16 2009
By Wes McClain - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema (Paperback)
While the volume of the output of any part of the Japanese film industry makes truly comprehensive studies impossible, Sharp goes a long way towards giving an in-depth overview (if such a thing is truly possible) of the Japanese sex film industry, especially in light of its importance as a training ground and launching pad for many of the luminaries of Japanese cinema.Thanks to nature of Japanese obscenity and censorship laws, and the lack of anti-sexuality culture that is part and parcel of the Abramic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) the soft-core sex film, or Pinku-Eiga, literally "Pink-Film" was a staple of the Japanese cinema from the mid 1960s through the late 1980s as the film and theatre companies tried to compete with television for viewers. Since this was the largest segment of the independent film market in Japan, it was the primary area for talented writers, directors and cinematographers to gain skills and some recognition without the coveted degrees from the most prestigious colleges and long apprenticeships required by the major studios.
While the book is chock full of racy pictures and clips from the films discussed, it is primarily a history of the industry and its major players, not an exhaustive collection of reviews or analyses of the films themselves. As such, it should be required reading for any student of Japanese cinema and/or the Japanese film industry, as it makes clear the connection between this barely legitimate end of the industry with the better known and more respectable output of the major studios. In addition, several chapters chart the frequently lost and forgotten connection of the Japanese avant-garde art community, the independent film community and the radical global politics of the late sixties and early seventies.
Because of it's cover and the volume of photos one can see by flipping through the pages, it's easy to dismiss "Behind the Pink Curtain" as just a risque, exploitation coffee-table book masquerading as film scholarship, but it is truly an in depth history of an often neglected part of the Japanese film industry, and to date the most exhaustive treatment of the subject published in the English language.
7 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab Press plugs another gap...but, beware, Sep 9 2009
By Mr. Ae Rayner "aerayner" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema (Paperback)
Fab Press have plugged another gap in cinematic education with this veritable encyclopaedia (414 pages!) about Japanese `Pink' films - readers should be aware that the subject matter does not concern the genteel art of flower arranging. A glance at the cover which shows a young lady in a state of semi undress & trussed up with rope should give a further indication of the content. Regarding the caption at the top of the cover readers should also be aware that Sex in Japanese Cinema bears no relation to the term `making love'. The low budget exploitation films about which the author writes in minute detail depict bondage, torture, degradation, perversion, depravity & humiliation of subservient females. If you think I'm over reacting consider this charming scene - 2 characters pass a slimy raw egg between their mouths prior to getting down to business on a kitchen table (from Moistening Housewife: Pantyless apron).The book discusses the bizarre Japanese concept of censorship which basically means that it doesn't matter what is happening on screen as long as genitalia are `pixellated.' The author has thoroughly researched his subject & informs us about all the companies & `performers' involved in this sub genre : he gleaned valuable information by visiting Tokyo's Adult Video cinemas - although these films first appeared way back in the early 1960's they have become more accessible due to Film Festival screenings and now, of course, you can find them on DVD.If not already totally motivated to buy this book you may like to know about the lurid, utterly tasteless colour photos that are in the centre: if seeing females being subjected to unmentionable atrocities are your thing you'll love this. However, I did find the still photos of extremely unattractive Japanese men groping these poor actresses whilst wearing spectacles un nerving yet amusing! I've given the book 5 stars for all the work that has gone into it - it will take hours to read every page but as a reference book it's indispensable.
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