Japanese Documentary Movies

In 1996, Tsurisaki Kiyotaka, one of Japan’s most infamous death photographers, ventured into the center of Hell itself - the Rue Morgue neighborhood of Bogota, Colombia. With death and murder rampant, the corpses eventually find their way to embalmer Froilan Orozco, who has been tending the dead for over 50 years. We watch as bodies are brought in to his shop and he prepares them for their funerals.

Kyabakura is a type of hostess club in Japan, inspired by French cabaret. There exists an ambiguous relationship between the clients, the men, and the hostesses, that should never materialize into a sexual relationship...There are strict rules, which of course, are designed to be broken.

A documentary that shines a spotlight on the unsung male performers who support the world of Japanese Adult Video, which has grown into a massive industry with annual sales of 55 billion yen in the 30 years since its inception. Its co-directors Enoki Yujiro and Takahara Hidekazu are JAV veterans who know the business back to front. 20 highly individual male adult video performers appear, from legendary virtuoso Kato Taka to handsome new generation star Kuroda Masatoshi. Through behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, it sheds light on their diverse views on life and women, their philosophies regarding sex, and their dedication to their profession.

Trailblazing artists, activists, and everyday people from across the spectrum of gender and sexuality defy social norms and dare to live unconventional lives in this kaleidoscopic view of LGBTQ+ culture in contemporary Japan.

The making of the movie "Nobody Knows" by award-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda.

This short documentary follows director Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki as they attend two film festivals showing the film Princess Mononoke and answer questions. Miyazaki discusses his experience in LA before founding Studio Ghibli.

Brand new MMA documentary following the careers of several top Japanese fighters. Watch these men prepare for big fights and put their lives in the ring for spirituality and glory.

Approximately half a year after the strip debut that shook Japan, the original strip movie realized in collaboration with SOD and Asakusa Rockza is completely recorded. In addition to the bewitching stage at Rockza, a passionate strip image in the sun will be unveiled for the first time! There is no doubt that it will be the biggest shocking work in 2010! [* This work is an image video] [* Bonus footage, bonus images, etc. are not included]

Arina Hashimoto appears in this work! ! She is a refreshing, cheerful, absolutely beautiful girl with a carefree smile. She is a beautiful transcendental girl who is so cute that the word cute is not enough. Her height of 166 cm, waist height and leg length are overwhelming style that surprises everyone!

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Although the Chinese government promised that Hong Kong would retain separate status until 2047, in recent years the Chinese state has consolidated its power over the metropolis. Large-scale protests by the populace have been brutally suppressed. This mix of documentary, fiction, and visions of the future reveals the current state of desolate depression among the people of Hong Kong. “A desperate attempt to capture the final moments of a sinking island”, as maker Chan Tze-woon himself puts it.

Director Pedro came to Japan in April 2011, started shooting in the village Totsukawa of Nara Prefecture. He, as Himotoku, began to spin the story with his camera instead of a brush…

In 39 interviews with actors and actresses, writers, producers and staff members, interspersed with film excerpts and stills, Shindō recounts the life and career of his friend and mentor Mizoguchi.

No overview available

"BLOW THE NIGHT!" Let's Spend the Night Together is a 1983 Japanese docu-drama shot on 16mm film starring actual Yanki gang members as many of the main characters.

In memory of the Japanese earthquake on 3.11, each director presents a 3 minute and 11 second short film in tribute to those who were lost that day.

Kyogo Furuhashi has taken Celtic by storm since joining the club in the summer of 2021. He has scored 26 goals so far in the 2022-2023 season as the Hoops chase a domestic treble. The Japan international was recently followed by a documentary crew in his homeland during the first half of the season. During the film, fans heard from the player about life in Scotland, recieved an insight into his friendship with team-mate Jota and also witnessed the vivid motivations, scoring, and growth after disappointment in missing out on the squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

The retirement movie for adult film actress Ai Uehara, directed by Katsuyuki Hirano. A big fan of Ai Uehara have to go on a 100-kilometer marathon to have sex with her.

Nagisa Oshima's documentary details the rise of Chairman Mao during the revolution and shows the Communist Party's struggle and cultural upheaval. Made in 1969 for NTV station, this TV documentary also questions Mao's dictator tendency during the cultural revolution.

In Japanese theater, women's roles are traditionally played by men. The man playing the woman's role, the Onnagata, does not imitate the woman, as in the West, but tries to capture her significance. He need not stick close to his model, but draws far more from his own identity - a shift of value takes place, which is nonetheless not a step beyond. THE WRITTEN FACE is an attempt to offer an insight into the Japanese Kabuki star Tamasaburo Bando, one of the last defenders of this ancient and disappearing performing tradition.

Moments in the life of a young Japanese filmmaker in Bosnia, charged with acoustic and visual poetry. Buoyant and essayistic entries in a process of self- and world-reassurance.

"First time shooting ... I was really thrilled ..."'Junjou Kawaii' A healing beautiful girl, Kyo Akane, who made such a perfect word, made her shocking debut from VTV! An evolutionary wearing erotic video presented by the genius Kaoru Toyoda to << you who are tired of ordinary image videos >>. From innocent and cute Kyoto to Kyoto that makes you feel the sex appeal of adults. A masterpiece that asks the "true value" of wearing erotic, the pleasure that comes out with beautiful images!

The documentary of director Katsuyuki Hirano and adult film actress Yumika Hayashi's 41-day biking trip.

A hyperkinetic behind the scenes look at the film.

In Ramen Heads, Osamu Tomita, Japan's reigning king of ramen, takes us deep into his world, revealing every single step of his obsessive approach to creating the perfect soup and noodles, and his relentless search for the highest-quality ingredients.

The director chronicles his last trip to Japan with his girl friend (Yukika Kudo), an attempt at Eastern and Western observations.

On July 28, 2021, the long-awaited CD debut of Naniwa Danshi was announced at Yokohama Arena during the #Naniwa Danshi Shika Katan tour, the group's first and last arena tour as Kansai Johnny's Jrs. Relive the happy, teary moment when the members were surprised with the news of their debut, not to mention their energetic performances, in this live release. "Naniwa Danshi National Championship #Oreshika Katsutan" digest is included as bonus video.

Eighteen months after the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima, children who were not evacuated are found to have thyroid cysts and nodules. What will this mean for their future?

A look at legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki following his retirement in 2013.

Yellow Magic Orchestra playing songs from the album Service in the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan in the 22 Dec. 1983

This film is a record of the first Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. It reflects the various ways the festival was given shape by nascent global changes embodied by Perestroika, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and many other contemporaneous events.

MENTAL is a feature-length documentary that observes the complex world of an outpatient mental health clinic in Japan, interwoven with patients, doctors, staff, volunteers, and home-helpers, in cinema- verite style. The film breaks a major taboo against discussing mental illness prevalent in Japanese society, and captures the candid lives of people coping with suicidal tendencies, poverty, a sense of shame, apprehension, and fear of society.

Ryuichi Sakamoto sadly passed away at the age of 71 on March 28, 2023. His music never stops and continues to leave a lasting impression on people living in the present. Playing the Orchestra 2013" was the first time in 16 years that Ryuichi Sakamoto performed with a full orchestra in Japan and created a sensation. This film is an updated version of the 2014 Tokyo performance, which he conducted himself. In this film, Sakamoto conducts all the pieces while playing the piano, The film features Sakamoto playing the piano and conducting all the pieces, and a variety of music from YMO's masterpieces such as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and "The Last Emperor" to his own film music, all performed by the magnificent Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Follows the behind-the-scenes work of Studio Ghibli, focusing on the notable figures Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki.

This documentary examines the plight of Korean veterans who were conscripted into the Japanese imperial army during World War II and later left destitute in postwar Japan. Many, disabled by their service, are denied compensation because of their Korean nationality. Filmed for Japanese television, the work confronts public apathy and exposes the unresolved moral responsibility Japan bears toward those who fought in its name.

The poignant focal point for this film is a cherry tree that is over 1400 years old. Beginning with the tree, the director then explores the families and environment around the tree. The editing and music contribute to the sense of a haunting past contained within the solid structure of an ancient natural wonder.

A chronicle of Bob Dylan's strange evolution between 1961 and 1966 from folk singer to protest singer to "voice of a generation" to rock star.

Set in the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo, the tragic theme of the film is the destruction of millions of lives in the 13 years before Manchukuo collapsed with Japan’s World War II surrender in August 1945, and the years of suffering it brought in its wake.

Famous kabuki performer Kikugoro IV performs the Lion Dance, in which a young girl is possessed by the spirit of a lion and transforms into the demonic beast.

Eleven major film makers from Europe, America and Asia talk about Akira Kurosawa and discover surprising influences on their own work.