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Project Detail

Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers

Synopsis

The 1960s era in Japan was a time of profound social change, political unrest and student protests. The turbulent times of the postwar era inspired an artistic explosion in Japan, with the emergence of a revolutionary scene of avant-garde artists who pioneered many disciplines: experimental and erotic photography, 'Angura' theatre and underground street performances, apocalyptic Butoh dance, surreal illustrations and seminal graphic design.
A new aesthetic of photography was born: 'Are, Bure, Boke' (rough, dark and out of focus), pioneered by Moriyama Daid and the Provoke magazine photographers. Araki beautified bondage and Hosoe Eikoh sublimated the male body. Ishiuchi Miyako captured her experience of American military bases. Kawada Kikuji’s era-defining photobook 'The Map' captured the poignancy of Hiroshima’s trauma.
Master of underground theatre Terayama Shji produced countless magical, surreal and vividly colourful films, plays and photobooks, Yokoo Tadanori and Awazu Kioshi revolutionised graphic design with their incandescent theatre posters, Tanaami Keiichi, Japan’s answer to Andy Warhol, developed his unique kaleidoscopic vision of Pop-Art, and Butoh founders Hijikata Tatsumi and Ohno Kazuo impacted modern dance forever with their dance of darkness and light.
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Details

Year
2025
Type of project
Features
Running time
100 min
Format
4K
Director
Amélie Ravalec
Producer
Circle Time Studio
Co-Producer
Maaserhit Honda
Editor
Amélie Ravalec
Sound
David Crane
Composer
Gregory Dombrowki
Principal cast
With contributions from: Araki Nobuyoshi, Moriyama Daido, Hosoe Eikoh, Ishiuchi Miyako, Tanaami Keiichi, Yokoo Tadanori, Mishima Yukio, Hijikata Tatsumi, Ohno Kazuo, Terayama Shuji, Tenj Sajiki, Kawada Kikuji, Neo-Dada Organizers, Hi-Red Center, Awazu Kiyoshi, Kaneko Ryichi,

Categories

Documentary

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Circle Time Studio

Sales Company

Circle Time Studio

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