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Japan Speaks but China Talks Back

Date produced:

Filmmaker(s):

H. Lee Hansen

Description:

"Ship sails from Chicago, visits Japan's ports, cities, villages, etc. Views of modern with traditional." UC San Diego Library.


Legend of San San Ku, The

Date produced: 1968

Description:

"The Legend of San San Ku was a practically unanimous choice as winner of the top award with its story of a Japanese legend. If the credits were to be removed from the beginning of this film, it would be hard to believe that it was not made in Japan. It was a very ambitious production for a crew of amateurs to undertake, and they came through with flying colors. Here's 20 minutes of Japan that is delightful to experience" PSA Journal, Oct. 1968, 48.


Monkeys of the Snow Mountain

Date produced: 1969

Filmmaker(s):

Masatoshi Okochi

Description:

"Monkey's of the Snow Mountain is a touching film of northern Japan produced by Masatoshi Okochi of Japan. You will never believe how sorry you can feel for a tribe of monkeys in 15 minutes of snow, snow and more snow. The film is in color, mostly white. It took four years to film the seasonal cycle in its fullest. Here we have suffering not only by the subjects of the film but by the film maker as well. In spite of that, you'll enjoy it" PSA Journal, Nov. 1969, 57.


Mount Zao

Date produced: 1935

Filmmaker(s):

Khoji Tsukamoto

Description:

"A down mountain ski run, etched against a filtered sky and set in a world of fantastic snow shapes and incredible beauty, is the theme of Mount Zao, which was filmed on the Japanese mountain of that name. Khoji Tsukamoto has mastered the technique of back lighting the dramatic turns, stems and jumps of a down mountain run so that they are framed against luminous clouds of powdered snow. The ski runners are always preceded by an ubiquitous cameraman who has invariably chosen the most effective angle for each scene of his closely knit sequences. The result is as smooth a picture of skiing as the screen has seen. In sequencing, editing and the nuances of tempo, this film is near the top. And particularly praiseworthy is the way in which the cameraman has involved backgrounds of astonishing natural beauty with foregrounds of interest compelling action." Movie Makers, Dec. 1937, 603, 626.


Old China

Date produced: 1939

Filmmaker(s):

Ernest Greenwood

George Wain

Description:

"Tales of doomed and thwarted love are timeless, and this intriguing short film relates a story set in Imperial China. Told to a young couple planning their wedding and marital home, they - and we - learn the tragic tale of Koong-Shee and Chang, her father's servant, as revealed in the traditional pattern on a Willow pattern plate. George Wain, one of the filmmakers, plays the role of the fiancé." (BFI Player)


On the Road to Mandalay

Date produced: 1964

Filmmaker(s):

C. Earle Memory

Description:

"On the Road to Mandalay takes us via word and picture to this far away spot where we see elephants performing heavy tasks, street scenes, a street parade, merchants hawking their wares, fabulous temples, artisans at work and native dancers. The photography is consistently good, and Memory has used close-ups liberally" PSA Journal, Sept. 1964, 50.


Orient Adventure: Hong Kong

Date produced: 1961

Filmmaker(s):

H. Lee Hansen

Description:

"Hansen travels to Hong Kong following his original visit to China in 1937. Initially, he spends much of his time roaming the commercial districts, giving a sense of tourism side of Hong Kong. Immediately following, he spends several minutes focusing on the skyline and captures footage of locations on the outskirts of the city. Hansen then spends the rest of the evening eating at a local cuisine and attending a show. For the remainder of his trip, Hansen shifts his attention from Hong Kong's tourist areas to the residential districts, fishing docks, and rural farming." UC San Diego Library.


Orient–Old and New–Japan

Date produced: 1964

Filmmaker(s):

Charles J. Ross

Description:

"Orient–Old and New–Japan is an excellent travelog of this oriental island in the well known superb Ross style. Narrated by his wide, we are taken to many of the well known spots on the island, and shown some of the more unusual places of interest. The commentary is full of factual information which gives the film an exceptionally good pacing" PSA Journal, Sept. 1964, 50.


Origami

Date produced: 1963

Filmmaker(s):

Rose Dabbs

Stuart Dabbs

Description:

"Many forms of art originated in old Japan. Here is a demonstration of a unique and improbably one that began as entertainment for children. Origami, the art of paper folding, is charmingly portrayed and described in this very imaginative film. One of the Ten Best, it will be enjoyed in the 1963 Top of the Ten pack" PSA Journal, Oct. 1963, 40.


Rangoon Prays and Plays

Date produced: 1958

Filmmaker(s):

Oscar H. Horovitz

Description:

"Oscar Horovitz has come through with another of his fine travelogs, this time from Burma. In Rangoon is the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, sometimes called The Golden Pagoda. It is one of the largest and most magnificent pagodas on earth and has a special sanctity to one-fifth of mankind. Another exquisite golden structure is the Sule Pagoda, the world peace pagoda. Rangoon displays the influence of the west, having fought three wars with Britain, and became a colony in 1885. Its independence was regained following World War II. Rangoon also enjoys its periods of play and the Water Festival is one of those occasions when everyone accepts a wetting in the spirit and fun of the occasion" PSA Journal, Nov. 1958, 48.


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