Hiroshi Shimizu (director)
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese film director
, known for his silent film
s with detailed depictions of Japanese society.
and attended Hokkaidō University
but left before graduating. He joined the Shochiku studio in Tokyo
in 1921 and made his directorial debut in 1924, at the age of just 21. A friend and colleague of Yasujiro Ozu
, he directed over 160 films during his career.
His early work was mostly melodramatic or featured "wakadanna", the sons of rich merchants who led a playboy lifestyle (somewhat in a reflection of his own youth). His work in the 1930s, however, increasingly took advantage of shooting on location and non-professional actors and was praised at the time by film critics such as Matsuo Kishi
for its realism. Chris Fujiwara has noted the use of repetition, plotlessness, punctuation, and a modern touch in Shimizu's work. His later work often focused on children, and Shimizu himself worked to help war orphans after World War II
, an experience that led to the film Children of the Beehive. He formed his own independent production company after the war.
He died of a heart attack on June 23, 1966, at the age of 63. Though respected in his time, today he is largely unknown, even in his native Japan. In 2008, Shochiku
released two box sets which include eight of his films. In 2009, a Criterion Collection box set of four of his films was released.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, known for his silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
s with detailed depictions of Japanese society.
Career
Shimizu was born in ShizuokaShizuoka, Shizuoka
is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in terms of both population and area. It became one of Japan's 19 "designated cities" in 2005.-Geography:...
and attended Hokkaidō University
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:...
but left before graduating. He joined the Shochiku studio in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in 1921 and made his directorial debut in 1924, at the age of just 21. A friend and colleague of Yasujiro Ozu
Yasujiro Ozu
was a prominent Japanese film director and script writer. He is known for his distinctive technical style, developed during the silent era. Marriage and family, especially the relationships between the generations, are among the most persistent themes in his body of work...
, he directed over 160 films during his career.
His early work was mostly melodramatic or featured "wakadanna", the sons of rich merchants who led a playboy lifestyle (somewhat in a reflection of his own youth). His work in the 1930s, however, increasingly took advantage of shooting on location and non-professional actors and was praised at the time by film critics such as Matsuo Kishi
Matsuo Kishi
was a Japanese film critic, director, screenwriter, producer, and biographer. His real name was Aji Shūichirō. Born in Tokyo, he became interested in film from his days in high school and, continuing on to Keio University, began submitting reviews to magazines such as Kinema Junpo and editing...
for its realism. Chris Fujiwara has noted the use of repetition, plotlessness, punctuation, and a modern touch in Shimizu's work. His later work often focused on children, and Shimizu himself worked to help war orphans after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, an experience that led to the film Children of the Beehive. He formed his own independent production company after the war.
He died of a heart attack on June 23, 1966, at the age of 63. Though respected in his time, today he is largely unknown, even in his native Japan. In 2008, Shochiku
Shochiku
is a Japanese movie studio and production company for kabuki. It also produces and distributes anime films. Its best remembered directors include Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita and Yōji Yamada...
released two box sets which include eight of his films. In 2009, a Criterion Collection box set of four of his films was released.
Selected filmography
- Undying Pearl (不壊の白珠 Fue no shiratama, 1929)
- Japanese Girls at the Harbour (港の日本娘 Minato no Nihon musume, 1933)
- Mr. Thank You (有りがたうさん Arigatō-san, 1936)
- Children in the Wind (風の中の子供 Kaze no naka no kodomo, 1937)
- A Star Athlete (花形選手 Hanagata senshu, 1937)
- The Masseurs and a Woman (按摩と女 Anma to onna, 1938)
- Four Seasons of Children (子供の四季 Kodomo no shiki, 1939)
- Nobuko (信子, 1940)
- Introspection Tower (みかへりの搭 Mikaheri no tō, 1941)
- Ornamental Hairpin (簪 Kanzashi, 1941)
- Sayon's BellSayon's Bellwas a 1943 black-and-white Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Shimizu and based on the true story of a 17-year old Atayal girl called Sayun Hayun from Nan'oku village, Giran district, Taihoku Prefecture who went missing and thought to have drowned whilst helping carry the luggage of her teacher...
(サヨンの鐘 Sayon no kane, 1943) - Children of the Beehive (蜂の巣の子供たち Hachi no su no kodomotachi, 1948)
- Ohara Shōsuke (小原庄助さん Ohara Shōsuke-san, 1949)
External links
- Jasper Sharp on Arigato-san Midnight Eye
- Shochiku film list