Chusei Sone
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese film director known primarily for his stylish and popular Roman Porno films for Nikkatsu
, particularly the first two installments of the Angel Guts
series. Despite a somewhat uneven career, many mainstream critics consider Sone the best of Nikkatsu's Roman Porno directors.
at Tohoku University
, and graduated in 1962. Soon after graduation, he began work as an Assistant director
at Nikkatsu
studios, where he worked with Seijun Suzuki
. Suzuki's directing style was to have a lasting influence on Sone's own later work. In their Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films, the Weissers compare Suzuki and Sone, writing, "Sone's films are riddled with quirky characters and surrealistic metaphors, but unlike the works of Suzuki, these movies are much more linear, plot driven, and ultimately crowd pleasing."
When Nikkatsu started their Roman Porno series of mainstream theatrical softcore pornographic films in November 1971, Sone was quickly given his chance to direct. His first film was the historical sex-film, Eros Schedule Book: Female Artist (1971
). He directed several more films set in historical time periods such as Erotic Story: The Peony Lantern (1972
), which became a mainstream hit and won several film industry awards. Later in 1972, Sone switched to contemporary themes with Lusty Sisters
, but would return to the period-piece with his popular action-sex film starring Nikkatsu queen Junko Miyashita
, Female Ninja Magic: 100 Trampled Flowers
(1974
).
By the late 1970s, Sone had become associated with a more violent style of eroticism in such films as My Sex Report: Climax Point (1976
) and Shinjuku Mixed-Up Street: Wait Till I Come (1977
). When Nikkatsu decided to film Takashi Ishii
's Angel Guts
manga
, Sone was a logical choice to helm the first two episodes of the series, Angel Guts: High School Coed (1978
) and Angel Guts: Red Classroom
(1979
). Sone was given a Best Director award at the Yokohama Film Festival
for Angel Guts: Red Classroom, and the film also won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor at the ceremony. Director Toshiharu Ikeda
, who worked as Sone's screenwriter and an assistant director on Angel Guts: High School Coed, says of Sone, "He is simply a genius. He really is a true genius... We were all tremendously influenced by him." Of the Angel Guts series, Ikeda comments, "That series definitely had an impact on Roman Porno history, as well as on the audience."
Throughout his career Sone directed many films of lesser quality, such as Overly Ripe Breasts (1973), Modern Prostitution: Lust Under A Uniform (1974) and 100 High School Girls: Secret Motel Report (1975). Nevertheless, his ability to continue to create stylish, innovative and popular films kept his reputation high.
At this time in his career, Eiga Geijutsu magazine reported that Sone was dissatisfied with his work in the Roman Porno genre, and wanted to make other films, but that he needed the income these Nikkatsu films provided. Nikkatsu gave Sone the chance to direct the non-Roman Porno series of light comedies, Glory Cheerleaders (1976–1977), which became popular hits. While continuing to direct for Nikkatsu at this time, Sone worked for independent studios where he could enjoy more creative freedom, and not be tied to the pink film format. Hakata Kids' Innocence (1977
), a simple story of one day in the lives of three junior high boys, is one such film. Following the success of Red Violation (1980
), Sone took a full break from pink films for three years to try other projects. He returned to the genre with the successful sex-mystery, Demon's Room (1982
). Together with director Mamoru Watanabe
, Sone started the Film Workers Production Company in 1982 as an outlet for more mainstream projects.
After Tattoo (1984
), based on a Tanizaki novel, Sone left Nikkatsu until 1986
, when the studio gave him a relatively large budget to direct Adultery. Today judged one of his best works, the film was ignored by audiences and critics at the time because of the inferior quality of many films in the Roman Porno series of the mid-1980s. Sone directed a mainstream hit, Flying, in (1988
) and then retired from directing.
) (1967-06-15) - writer (dir: Teruo Ishii
) (1970-06-20) (1971-12-18) (1972-01-29) (1972-03-18) (1972-04-29) (1972-06-28) (1972-09-16) (1972-11-29) (1973-02-03) (1973-02-21) (1973-05-31) (1973-07-04) (1973-08-25) (1973-11-20) (1974-01-26) (1974-02-16) (1974-08-03) (1974-08-28) (1975-04-12) (1975-06-04) (1975-08-23) (1975-10-18) (1976-02-21) (1976-05-15)
Nikkatsu
is a Japanese entertainment company well known for its film and television productions. It is Japan's oldest major movie studio. The name Nikkatsu is an abbreviation of Nippon Katsudō Shashin, literally "Japan Cinematograph Company".-History:...
, particularly the first two installments of the Angel Guts
Angel Guts
is a nine-film series of pink films made mostly by the Nikkatsu Corporation between 1978 and 1994. Like all pink films the major theme is sex, but there is plenty of violence involved as well. The films were based on the manga series by Takashi Ishii...
series. Despite a somewhat uneven career, many mainstream critics consider Sone the best of Nikkatsu's Roman Porno directors.
Life and career
Chūsei Sone was born on October 1, 1937. He majored in Art HistoryArt history
Art history has historically been understood as the academic study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e. genre, design, format, and style...
at Tohoku University
Tohoku University
, abbreviated to , located in the city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture in the Tōhoku Region, Japan, is a Japanese national university. It is the third oldest Imperial University in Japan and is a member of the National Seven Universities...
, and graduated in 1962. Soon after graduation, he began work as an Assistant director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
at Nikkatsu
Nikkatsu
is a Japanese entertainment company well known for its film and television productions. It is Japan's oldest major movie studio. The name Nikkatsu is an abbreviation of Nippon Katsudō Shashin, literally "Japan Cinematograph Company".-History:...
studios, where he worked with Seijun Suzuki
Seijun Suzuki
, born Seitaro Suzuki on May 24, 1923, is a Japanese filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter. His films are renowned by film enthusiasts worldwide for their jarring visual style, irreverent humour, nihilistic cool and entertainment-over-logic sensibility...
. Suzuki's directing style was to have a lasting influence on Sone's own later work. In their Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films, the Weissers compare Suzuki and Sone, writing, "Sone's films are riddled with quirky characters and surrealistic metaphors, but unlike the works of Suzuki, these movies are much more linear, plot driven, and ultimately crowd pleasing."
When Nikkatsu started their Roman Porno series of mainstream theatrical softcore pornographic films in November 1971, Sone was quickly given his chance to direct. His first film was the historical sex-film, Eros Schedule Book: Female Artist (1971
1971 in film
The year 1971 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 8 - Bob Dylan's hour long documentary film, Eat the Document, premieres at New York's Academy of Music...
). He directed several more films set in historical time periods such as Erotic Story: The Peony Lantern (1972
1972 in film
The year 1972 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Avanti!, directed by Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon and Juliet MillsB...
), which became a mainstream hit and won several film industry awards. Later in 1972, Sone switched to contemporary themes with Lusty Sisters
Lusty Sisters
aka Erotic Sisters is a 1972 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Chūsei Sone and starring Keiko Tsuzuki and Akemi Nijō.-Synopsis:...
, but would return to the period-piece with his popular action-sex film starring Nikkatsu queen Junko Miyashita
Junko Miyashita
is a Japanese actress who had a long and varied career working both in pink film and mainstream cinema.- Career :Junko Miyashita was born in Tokyo on January 29, 1949. She was working as a waitress at a coffee shop when she was recruited to work in Pink films....
, Female Ninja Magic: 100 Trampled Flowers
Female Ninja Magic: 100 Trampled Flowers
is a 1974 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Chūsei Sone and starring Junko Miyashita.-Synopsis:In historical times, the Shogun family employs a group of Iga ninjas to take over the Akizuki clan's lands. The Akizuki hire the Fumi ninjas, a group of female warriors who...
(1974
1974 in film
The year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
).
By the late 1970s, Sone had become associated with a more violent style of eroticism in such films as My Sex Report: Climax Point (1976
1976 in film
The year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
) and Shinjuku Mixed-Up Street: Wait Till I Come (1977
1977 in film
The year 1977 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*In the Academy Awards, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight win Best Actor and Actress and Supporting Actress awards for Network....
). When Nikkatsu decided to film Takashi Ishii
Takashi Ishii
is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He has directed several pinku eiga erotic films, but his most notable feature was the 1995 nihilistic crime thriller Gonin starring Takeshi Kitano.-Director: is a Japanese film director and screenwriter...
's Angel Guts
Angel Guts
is a nine-film series of pink films made mostly by the Nikkatsu Corporation between 1978 and 1994. Like all pink films the major theme is sex, but there is plenty of violence involved as well. The films were based on the manga series by Takashi Ishii...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, Sone was a logical choice to helm the first two episodes of the series, Angel Guts: High School Coed (1978
1978 in film
The year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
) and Angel Guts: Red Classroom
Angel Guts: Red Classroom
is a 1979 Japanese film directed by Chūsei Sone and released by the Nikkatsu studio as part of their Roman porno line. It is the second in the Angel Guts film series, based on a manga by Takashi Ishii.-Synopsis:...
(1979
1979 in film
The year 1979 in film involved some significant events.- Major events :* March 5 - Production begins on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.* May 25 - Alien, a landmark of the science fiction genre, is released....
). Sone was given a Best Director award at the Yokohama Film Festival
Yokohama Film Festival
The is a noticed yearly awards ceremony held in Japan. The festival was started as a small affair by fans and film critics, and first held on February 3, 1980. Ten films are chosen as the best of the year, and various awards are given to personnel...
for Angel Guts: Red Classroom, and the film also won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor at the ceremony. Director Toshiharu Ikeda
Toshiharu Ikeda
was a Japanese film director and screenwriter who worked in pink film and mainstream cinema. He won the award for Best Director at the 6th Yokohama Film Festival for Mermaid Legend.-Early career - Nikkatsu:...
, who worked as Sone's screenwriter and an assistant director on Angel Guts: High School Coed, says of Sone, "He is simply a genius. He really is a true genius... We were all tremendously influenced by him." Of the Angel Guts series, Ikeda comments, "That series definitely had an impact on Roman Porno history, as well as on the audience."
Throughout his career Sone directed many films of lesser quality, such as Overly Ripe Breasts (1973), Modern Prostitution: Lust Under A Uniform (1974) and 100 High School Girls: Secret Motel Report (1975). Nevertheless, his ability to continue to create stylish, innovative and popular films kept his reputation high.
At this time in his career, Eiga Geijutsu magazine reported that Sone was dissatisfied with his work in the Roman Porno genre, and wanted to make other films, but that he needed the income these Nikkatsu films provided. Nikkatsu gave Sone the chance to direct the non-Roman Porno series of light comedies, Glory Cheerleaders (1976–1977), which became popular hits. While continuing to direct for Nikkatsu at this time, Sone worked for independent studios where he could enjoy more creative freedom, and not be tied to the pink film format. Hakata Kids' Innocence (1977
1977 in film
The year 1977 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*In the Academy Awards, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight win Best Actor and Actress and Supporting Actress awards for Network....
), a simple story of one day in the lives of three junior high boys, is one such film. Following the success of Red Violation (1980
1980 in film
- Events :* May 21 - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is released and is the biggest grosser of the year ....
), Sone took a full break from pink films for three years to try other projects. He returned to the genre with the successful sex-mystery, Demon's Room (1982
1982 in film
-Events:* March 26 = I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff is released. Manoff would not appear in another movie until 1987's Backfire.* June = PG-rated film E.T...
). Together with director Mamoru Watanabe
Mamoru Watanabe
is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor, known for his work in the pink film genre. Along with directors Genji Nakamura and Banmei Takahashi, Watanabe is known as one of the "Three Pillars of Pink".-Early life:...
, Sone started the Film Workers Production Company in 1982 as an outlet for more mainstream projects.
After Tattoo (1984
1984 in film
-Events:* The Walt Disney Company founds Touchstone Pictures to release movies with subject matter deemed inappropriate for the Disney name.* Tri-Star Pictures, a joint venture of Columbia Pictures, HBO, and CBS, releases its first film....
), based on a Tanizaki novel, Sone left Nikkatsu until 1986
1986 in film
-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
, when the studio gave him a relatively large budget to direct Adultery. Today judged one of his best works, the film was ignored by audiences and critics at the time because of the inferior quality of many films in the Roman Porno series of the mid-1980s. Sone directed a mainstream hit, Flying, in (1988
1988 in film
-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
) and then retired from directing.
Filmography
- writer (dir. Seijun SuzukiSeijun Suzuki
, born Seitaro Suzuki on May 24, 1923, is a Japanese filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter. His films are renowned by film enthusiasts worldwide for their jarring visual style, irreverent humour, nihilistic cool and entertainment-over-logic sensibility...
) (1967-06-15) - writer (dir: Teruo Ishii
Teruo Ishii
was a Japanese film director best known in the West for his early films in the Super Giant series, and for his films in the Ero guro subgenre of pinku eiga such as Shogun's Joys of Torture . He also directed the 1965 film, Abashiri Prison, which helped to make Ken Takakura a major star in Japan...
) (1970-06-20) (1971-12-18) (1972-01-29) (1972-03-18) (1972-04-29) (1972-06-28) (1972-09-16) (1972-11-29) (1973-02-03) (1973-02-21) (1973-05-31) (1973-07-04) (1973-08-25) (1973-11-20) (1974-01-26) (1974-02-16) (1974-08-03) (1974-08-28) (1975-04-12) (1975-06-04) (1975-08-23) (1975-10-18) (1976-02-21) (1976-05-15)
- 嗚呼！！花の応援団 Ah!! Hana no Oh-endan (1976-08-21)
- 嗚呼！！花の応援団 役者やのォー Ahh!! Hana no Oh-endan: Yakusha ya Noh (1976-12-25
- 不連続殺人事件 Furenzoku Satsujin Jiken (Arts Theatre Guild) - also writer (1977-03-15)
- 嗚呼！！花の応援団 男涙の親衛隊 Ah!! Hana no Oh-endan: Otoko Namida no Shineitai (1977-03-19)
- 新宿乱れ街 いくまで待って Shinjuku Midaregai: Ikumade Matte (1977-09-17) (1978-02-04) (1978-03-18) (1978-07-22)
- 博多っ子純情 Hakatakko Junjo (LAL company) (1978-12-02) (also writer) (1979-01-06)
- Supergun Lady Wani Bunsho (スーパーＧＵＮレディ ワニ分署) 1979-08-18 (1980-01-05)
- 元祖大四畳半大物語 (co-directed with 松本零士) 1980-08-16
- 太陽のきずあと 東映セントラルフィルム (Toei Central Film) (1981-02-14) (1982-04-23) (1984-04-20) (1984-12-22) - producer (K Enterprise) (dir. Masayuki Asao) (1985-08-24) (1986-10-31)
- Flying (1988) (2000)
Sources
- "Chusei Sone". 2005. in Angel Guts - The Nikkatsu Series - 5 Disc Collector's Edition. www.artsmagicdvd.com ATU 017. Disc one: High School Co-ed. Biographies.
- Ikeda, ToshiharuToshiharu Ikedawas a Japanese film director and screenwriter who worked in pink film and mainstream cinema. He won the award for Best Director at the 6th Yokohama Film Festival for Mermaid Legend.-Early career - Nikkatsu:...
. Jasper Sharp, interviewer. Sharon Hayashi, translator. 2005. An Insight into Chusei Sone in Angel Guts - The Nikkatsu Series - 5 Disc Collector's Edition. www.artsmagicdvd.com ATU 017. Disc one: High School Co-ed. Interviews.