The Pornographers (1966) Jinruigaku Nyumon: Erogotshi Yori

Movie Rating NR Contains: Strong Language Violence Sex Nudity Mature Situations

Director: Shohei Imamura Movie Genre: Comedy, Black Comedy Country: Japan The Pornographers Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 7.8 Writing: 6.7 Acting: 7.4 Cinematography: 6.0 Sound and Score: 6.5 Functionality: 7.0 Presentation: 8.0 Genre Comparison: 6.6 General Comparison: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Reviewed 2006-06-08 23:01:34

The Pornographers from Japanese director Shohei Imamura is a black comedy about an erotic filmmaker named Subu Ogata and his interactions with his landlady and her family. Subu's landlady, Haru, is in love with him but believes that her dead husband, reincarnated as a carp, disapproves. Haru's son, Koichi desires her but is afraid to admit it to himself or his mother. Haru's daughter, Keiko, is a rebellious fifteen year old who uses her looks and sexuality to get what she wants. Fed up with Haru's lukewarm behavior, Subu develops feelings for Keiko. These feelings create conflict for Subu as he is torn between his roles as father-figure and love interest for Keiko.

Although the characters in The Pornographers are quite complex, Imamura conveys their story in a straightforward, easy to follow manner. Although these characters are dysfunctional, they are presented as misguided rather than all out insane. Imamura never makes his feelings toward the characters known; he simply displays every element of the story honestly and leaves it to the audience to form their own opinions.

Imamura’s directing style, coupled with the taboo nature of Subu's profession, gives the film a voyeuristic feel. Subu's attempts to keep his work secret from Koichi and Keiko are presented so as to give the audience the feeling that they are witnessing something that not everyone gets to see.

The plot of The Pornographers is constantly changing. Each new development in the story is treated as an enhancement designed to heighten the audience's enjoyment, rather than a twist, designed to keep the viewer guessing. The story starts out as an examination of nontraditional lifestyles and gradually builds into a manifestation of its characters' various delusions.

The Pornographers is equal parts drama, character study, and black comedy. Imamura's preoccupation with the lives of society's rejects, and the honest way in which he presented those members of society, served as an inspiration for many directors to come. Considering the mature subject matter, this movie has very little nudity and sex and should be suitable for most audiences. Imamura's The Pornographers is an essential entry into the Japanese new wave and an excellent movie for fans of any of Japan's more groundbreaking directors.