Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by HungFist »

"[Hideo] Nakata's film will be a lesbian story, while [Sion] Sono's is to be themed 'art'. In addition, Isao Yukisada (Crying Out Love in the Center of the World,) Akihiko Shiota (Canary) and Kazuya Shiraishi (Devil's Path) will helm productions."
- http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/f ... oin-874965

It's funny, I was thinking a few weeks ago who the directors might be, and I listed three names. Sono was my first guess (my other guesses were Daisuke Miura and Kota Yoshida).
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by Guro Taku »

Sono is such an obvious choice it's actually kind of boring. Nakata is interesting because of his background with the genre and Miura would have been great... Maybe next time? Speaking of which, I'd actually resurrect my excitement for future Takashi Miike projects if they would let him do his adaptation of Oniroku Dan's gay-themed BISHOUNEN as part of this new series. The film originally didn't proceed beyond the announcement press conference in 2006.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Website is up:
http://www.nikkatsu-romanporno.com/reboot/

The titles are:
Aroused by Gymnopedies by Isao Yukisada
Wet Woman in the Wind by Akihiko Shiota
Dawn of Felines by Kazuya Shiraishi
ANTIPORNO by Sion Sono
White Lily by Hideo Nakata

Shiota's Wet Woman in the Wind won some awards at Locarno last month; Sono's Anti-Porno will premiere in France next month. The first film will open in Japan in November.

Two stills from Shiota's film:
Image

Image

And Sono's film:
Guro Taku wrote:Sono's ANTI-PORNO will play L'Etrange Festival in Paris this September and here's two stills (via Screen Anarachy) to go along with that announcement:

Image

Image
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Trailer:
https://youtu.be/yNu1OzJkUtY

Release dates:
2016/11/26: Aroused by Gymnopedies by Isao Yukisada
2016/12/17: Wet Woman in the Wind by Akihiko Shiota
2017/01/14: Dawn of Felines by Kazuya Shiraishi
2017/01/28: ANTIPORNO by Sion Sono
2017/02/11: White Lily by Hideo Nakata
- http://www.nikkatsu.com/news/201609/002444.html

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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Wet Woman in the Wind - Trailer (ENG subs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMbnR9V1FNQ

This is looking much better than I expected!

[thanks Maito Guy at RSP]
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by HungFist »

Trailer for Aroused by Gymnopedies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWT6sgV7Siw

Looking a bit less good than I expected.

The Roman Porno website has also been updated:
http://www.nikkatsu-romanporno.com/reboot/
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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'Aroused by Gymnopedies': Film Review
- http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review ... iew-938317

I'm actually pretty excited about this Roman Porno reboot. Resurrecting Roman Porno with some interesting directors, producing 5 films at once, releasing them all in theaters within a couple of months... this is almost like waiting for a new Star Wars movie :lol:

Oh, and it's the long awaited return of 80 minute movies. I'm sick and tired of all those 90 minute films streched into 125 minutes that cinemas are full of these days.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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The softcore feminist romp ushering in the Roman Porno New Wave.
Sion Sono’s Anti-Porno explores the untapped sexual imagination of women.

- http://lwlies.com/articles/sion-sono-an ... -new-wave/
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Chirashi for Gymnopedies
Image

Image

It's interesting that all of these films exist in two versions. The R18-versions are screened theatrically, while the TV versions premiering simultaneously are R15-versions.

Also very interesting is that Toei channel is paying tribute to Nikkatsu by screening 5 Roman Porno films... starting with Star of David, which is listed as R15-version as well. While some Roman Pornos, like Lovers are Wet and Crazed Fruit, have been given an R15 rating in the recent years, I find it hard to believe Star of David could get an R15 without censorship...
- http://www.toeich.jp/program/1T0000010994/201611
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Poster is up

Image

btw, my local cinema will be releasing all five films on five consecutive weeks in January and February. That's gonna be close to an overkill, but I will (probably) try to find time to see them all.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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oh, and an English one, too

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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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I stopped in Tokyo a few days ago and saw this.

Wet Woman in the Wind (Japan, 2016) [DCP] – 3.5/5
“Times have changed, men have changed, but women’s beauty remains.” Nikkatsu's ad for their Roman Porno reboot captured something essential about the series. At 1100+ films made between 1971 and 1988 the series was incredibly diverse, but always tied to its time. So is this film. The glorious days 35mm smut may be gone, but so are the days when Japanese erotica equalled to women lying on their back and moaning. Wet Woman in the Wind comes with one sexual Duracell bunny of titular character (excellent Yuri Mamiya), a woman who won’t take “no” for an answer from a male playwright seeking peace and solitude by camping alone in the countryside. A sexual war ensues where “he” is the passive party. Loaded with loaded with sex, but unlike most of the 70s and 80s Roman Porno films, there’s both spirit and plenty of laughs to the action. While a drama comedy, the film's tackling of gender issues and social outcasts resembles the films of Tatsumi Kumashiro, whom director Shiota stated as his primary inspiration. With swift pace and solid performances, the only major negative is the piss poor score. A new Roman Porno classic this may not be, but it’s a fun, trendy film, better than 95% of the genre’s original output.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Interesting bit of news

"Nikkatsu intends to continue producing Roman Porno movies and appoint female and non-Japanese directors."

although I think we need to wait a little longer to see if this will actually come true.

Also, a little less exciting to some:

"Scenes that could disgust female moviegoers were effectively excluded from the latest works"

- http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201612310028.html
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by HungFist »

A few things I forgot to mention about Wet Woman in the Wind.

I saw it in Shinjuku Musashinokan in a sold out screening. Not bad for Wednesday night! That being said, it's a small theater, and the only theater playing these new Roman Porno films in Tokyo. Each film is given a two week run with half dozen screenings every day. Not exactly major releases, but they seem to be doing alright, and of course there are other theaters around the country playing these.

They also had a cool Roman Porno booth.
Image

Photography was actually forbidden inside the booth, but I didn't notice it until afterwards, so I might as well post this. Gomen.
Image
(it's rare for photography to be forbidden, and in my defense, the the dirty ojisan in the suit was also taking photos!)
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by Guro Taku »

HungFist wrote:Interesting bit of news

"Nikkatsu intends to continue producing Roman Porno movies and appoint female and non-Japanese directors."

although I think we need to wait a little longer to see if this will actually come true.
I'm all for female directors getting a shot at doing a couple Roman Pornos! I wonder who they'll get... I have to admit that the thought of non-Japanese directors trying their hands at this genre instantly made me cringe. I just can't see it working. At all. Yeah, I'm racist that way.
HungFist wrote:Also, a little less exciting to some:

"Scenes that could disgust female moviegoers were effectively excluded from the latest works"
How exactly do they figure out what disgusts female moviegoers? Do they have an all-female committee that votes on each sex scene in the submitted scripts? I suspect it mainly boils down to no rape scenes though.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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All of the New Roman Porno films are getting theatrical release in HK.

Image
- https://twitter.com/Marshy00/status/816852647936282624

Probably a good indication that HK DVDs will appear sooner or later as well.

Although the question is whether those are R15 or R18 versions. Nikkatsu just released Gymnopedies via a number of Japanese online platforms, all offering the R15 versions while theaters are playing the R18 version. They are even doing this with old films now. Toei Channel (yes, Toei) is celebrating the Roman Porno anniversary by screening a couple of Roman Porno films by Toei directors (e.g. Star of David by Norifumi Suzuki, Retreat Through the Wet Wasteland by Yukihiro Sawada), and they are all marked as "R15 versions".

I haven't been able to find out how the R15 versions were created. Cut? Mosaic?
Guro Taku wrote: I'm all for female directors getting a shot at doing a couple Roman Pornos! I wonder who they'll get...
Nami Iguchi would be cool, although I can't imagine her doing Roman Porno. Yuki Tanada is more likely, which would also be cool. Or Mika Ninagawa. Or Mipo O. Maybe even Lisa Takeba. Not many other options really. Satoko Yokohama? Kayako Asakura?
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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I'd vote for Kei Fujiwara, who sadly hasn't directed anything since 2005's ID. Of course that is utterly unlikely because I'm sure whatever she'd create would disgust not only women but literally everbody.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Wow, a theater in Sapporo is doing "Women Only" screenings for the new Roman Pornos. Once a week there is a screening that only women are allowed to enter.

Women's Seats are a common practice in some theaters screening pink films, but this is taking it to a new level. Kinda cool, though.

I remember when I was watching some Roman Porno triple feature in Shimbashi Roman Gekijo years ago and young lady entered. She was looking around and I almost said to her "here's a safe seat. I'm here just for the movie". There was a bit of reason for a concern, for some of the audience were more that a bit creepy, and usually aged 60+. One time I was watching a movie and I dared not look carefully but the guy at the end of the row was clearly doing some kind of hand exercises during a sex scene - and surprisingly many people lined up for bathroom (which was located next to the screen!) after each sex scene. Yikes.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Aroused by Gymnopedies (Japan, 2016) [DCP] - 4/5
Terrific start for Nikkatsu's Roman Porno Reboot Series feels fresh and traditional at the same time. The quiet drama follows indie director past his prime, with a wife is in hospital, a film project demolished by an uncooperative actress, and bills piling up. Like some of the best Roman Porno's, this one feels completely of its time. What is different is not only the low key approach that sets it apart from the more carnivalistic film biz Roman Porno's (Black Rose Ascension, Naked Resume: True Story of Kazuko Shirakawa), but its approach to women. Beautiful as ever, but also strong, independent and fascinating. Case in point: a seductive young lady decides she's not ready for it after all, and rejects him after having undressed. Our protagonist is sent back to his regular state of mixed irritation and melancholy. This a scene that wouldn't have happened in the genre back in the day, nor the characterization that immediately follows. Itsuji Itao is excellent as the half-pitiable, half-scumbag director, and his co-stars are all fine, Sumire Ashina being a real discovery. Moments of humour are perfectly fused into the otherwise quiet film. Oh, and there is skin: 6 sex scenes in 83 minutes, nearly all justified by the story.

Side note: Nikkatsu's strategy seems to be working. Not only did I spot couples, but also a cute, 20-something girl who came alone to see the film, in the audience. Wet Woman in the Wind opens here next week; I think I will give it a second go, this time with my girlfriend.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by HungFist »

Antiporno trailer with subs
https://youtu.be/heIa5m3MBhY

White Lily without
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXH36OnwTM8

White Lily is the one I'm least looking forward to, but I'll try to see it. Gotta collect all 5 film tickets so that I can take part in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno competition and win shitload of Roman Porno DVDs and BDs. Yeah, Nikkatsu is really doing awesome job branding and hyping this Reboot.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

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Film review: Aroused by Gymnopedies

"Yukisada’s film is not just a string of titillating encounters but, with its consistently melancholic tone, achieves a surprising emotional depth"

- http://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/art ... nod-japans

Oh, and btw. Yuki Kazamatsuri is also in the film. I didn't even realize it until I saw her name in the ending credits.
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Re: Roman Porno Reboot (Sono, Nakata, Shiota, Yukisada, Shiraishi) (2016)

Post by Guro Taku »

For those unable to attend theater screenings in Japan or at festivals, DMM has just added Wet Woman in the Wind and Aroused by Gymnopedies for streaming and download.
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