Million Film
Encyclopedia
was one of the early independent studios which produced pink films. Along with OP Eiga
, Shintōhō, Kantō and Kōji Wakamatsu
's production studio, Million Film was one of the most influential on the genre during its first decade. Many of the most prominent directors and performers in the pink film genre worked for Million Film.
's in September.
In its first year of existence, Million Film distributed films starring some of the leading performers in the pink film industry. , produced by Unimonde and released by Million in October 1968, gave future Nikkatsu
Roman Porno queen Kazuko Shirakawa
a role as one of lead actor Masayoshi Nogami's sex partners. Unusual for Nogami, who specialized in roles as rapists, Shirakawa's character is a willing participant. Produced by Yamabe Pro and released by Million in November 1968, director Jirō Matsubara's was notable for teaming two of the most popular pink film actresses of the day, Naomi Tani
and Mari Iwai.
While continuing to distribute films from other production companies, in 1969, the year in which the production company was founded, Million Film began producing films for Keitsū's theater chain. During the boom years of the pink film industry, in the mid- to late-1960s, dozens of small studios produced pink films. The major studios, including Toei
, and especially Nikkatsu
took over the sexploitation film in the early 1970s. This was a period of weeding-out of smaller independent studios, leaving only a few major pink studios. Along with Shintōhō and Ōkura Eiga
(OP Eiga), Million was one of the few independent studios to survive this era.
shot her debut film at Million Film in 1971. Titled , Million released the film in September 1972.
Under his pseudonym , Sōjirō Motoki began directing films at Million with (December 1971), starring future Nikkatsu
Roman Porno queen Junko Miyashita
. Motoki's ties to the pink film went back to 1962, the year of the production of the first film in that genre. Motoki's was one of only four pink films made in 1962. Previous to his career in sex films, Motoki had been a producer at Toho
where he was behind such major films as Akira Kurosawa
's Ikiru
(1952) and Seven Samurai (1954). Motoki continued directing for Million Film until his last film, (June 1977).
The survival rate of early independent pink films is very low, but the DVD company Ace Deuce Entertainment has preserved several early Million Film releases and made them available on home video. and (both 1974) are significant both for being examples of surviving early pink films from an independent studio other than Shintōhō. These are also among the earliest surviving all-color pink film productions. Both these films were produced by Akitaka Kimata's Pro Taka production studio and directed by his son Akiyoshi Kimata under the pseudonym . Both films show a light-hearted and easy-going style which contrasts with the darker style of the director and of Million Film productions in later years. The non-political nature of these two films contrasts with the politically-charged pink films of the 1960s, such as those by Kōji Wakamatsu
, which often tackled current events. made by Genji Nakamura for his own Genji Pro, and released by Million in October 1977 shows a similarly relaxed style, though it does make reference to the political themes of earlier pink film, particularly the Anpo
.
Beginning in 1976, Million distributed yō pin, or "Western pink" film, Western films in the sexploitation genre such as those directed by Russ Meyer
and Jesús Franco
. Million continued this distribution of foreign films in Japan until the mid-1980s through a subsidiary called Joypack Film. Million's parent company, Keitsū had built the Shinjuku Joypack Building Annex in July 1976. In 1978 Keitsū established Joypack Amusement, and in July 1979 Joypack Leisure, which included Joypack Amusement and two other companies. Joypack Leisure was involved with aspects of entertainment outside of film.
(1981), concludes with a controversial, yet poignant scene which, Thomas and Yuko Mihara Weisser write in their Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films, will leave, "[e]ven the most calloused viewer... misty-eyed".
One of the earliest significant female pink film directors, Rumi Tama
made her directorial debut for Million Film with the November 1981 release, . Many of Tama's earlier films as an actress-- often produced and directed by her husband Akitaka Kimata, or his son, Seiji Izumi-- had also been released by Million.
Another of the "Three Pillars of Pink", Banmei Takahashi
's November 1981 Million Film release, won several awards and was named by the mainstream Kinema Jumpo as one of the best films of 1981. Though Takahashi is considered one of the most prominent pink filmmakers of this era, and many critics regard Attacked Woman as his best pink film, the Weissers reported in 1998 that Million Film had declared Attacked Woman a lost film. All prints had been either lost or destroyed, though a 7-minute clip was rediscovered in the late 1980s. However, the film became available on DVD through the Ace-Deuce site in April 2002. Takahashi introduced the noted horror-film director Kiyoshi Kurosawa
to Million Film at the start of his career. Though he had a short and troubled relationship with the studio, and eventually only made one pink film, Kurosawa made his debut with Million. Million agreed to produce Kurosawa's project , which was released August 1983. Jasper Sharp writes that Kurosawa's script resembles a pink film tribute to Jean-Luc Godard
as filtered through Rear Window
(1954). Sharp writes that the combination of Kurosawa's film scholar sensibilities, and the low budget afforded him to film his scenario no doubt appeared as sarcasm to the studio. Nevertheless, Million Film gave Kurosawa a second chance to direct, with his script College Girl: Shameful Seminar. However, after seeing what Kurosawa had filmed, they canceled the project, proclaiming it not sufficiently erotic. Kurosawa later bought back the footage to use it in his mainstream film, The Excitement of the Do-Re-Mi-Fa Girl (1985). After his experience with Million, Kurosawa left the pink film genre behind, finding success in the yakuza and horror fields.
Million Film's parent company, Keitsū's film distribution subsidiary was broken off from Million and named Joypack Cinema in 1983. In 1984, the Japanese Prosecutor's Office decided to enforce the Moral Sensibility law more strictly, targeting pink film theaters, their advertising, and the studios. Hoping to prevent drastic actions, representatives of the pink film studios met with Eirin
, the police and the prosecutor's office. The result of this meeting, known as "the Ice Age summit", was that the studios agreed to a set of conditions in exchange for a promise of leniency from the authorities. The conditions included the banning of 184 words-- such as those implying underage performers, or graphic words such as "rape", "lick", etc.-- in film titles, and the banning of nudity, or two bodies touching affectionately, in poster graphics. The result of the studios' compliance with these new rules was disastrous for the pink film industry, with box-office attendance dropping 36% in the first month of their implementation.
Actress Kiyomi Itō
debuted at Million, in director Ryūji Akitsu's April 1984 release, . Itō went on to become controversial director Hisayasu Satō
's favorite leading actress after working in his debut film, . She appeared in Satō's October 1986 release for Million, , and in some of his most notorious works, including Lolita: Vibrator Torture
(1987) and Widow's Perverted Hell
(1991).
In January 1984, Million produced , a film linked to Shintōhō's popular and long-running "Molester Train" series. is a pseudonym used by various filmmakers working individually and together at Genji Nakamura's production studio. Director Ryūichi Hiroki
made the first Gō Ijūin film, The SM, in 1984 and it was distributed by Million Film. Hiroki began a successful mainstream career in the late 1980s.
Million Film served as the distributor of the debut works of significant filmmakers even in its last years in production. , released in September 1985, was a pink science-fiction fantasy which provided director Tsutomu Watanabe with his career debut. Watanabe found greater success in horror and fantasy cinema. Hidekazu Takahara, today best known for his musical comedies, made his career debut at Million with the November 1985 release, .
Million Film ceased production in 1986. The closing of the studio's production facilities resulted in the stalling of the debut of prominent director Toshiki Satō
for two years. Originally scheduled to make a film for Million in 1986, Satō did not make his first film until 1988, for Nikkatsu Video. Keitsū's film exhibition arm, Joypack Cinema, was renamed Humax in 1987. Million Film stopped distributing pink films in 1988. In 1989 the Humax Group was formed. The Humax Group currently includes Joypack Cinema which produces and distributes non-pink films, and runs several theaters in Tokyo.
, 1981)
OP Eiga
, also known as is the largest and one of the oldest independent Japanese studios which produce and distribute pink films. Along with Shintōhō, Kantō, Million Film, and Kōji Wakamatsu's production studio, Ōkura was one of the most influential studios on the pink film genre...
, Shintōhō, Kantō and Kōji Wakamatsu
Koji Wakamatsu
is a Japanese film director who directed such pinku eiga films as and . He also produced Nagisa Ōshima's controversial film In the Realm of the Senses...
's production studio, Million Film was one of the most influential on the genre during its first decade. Many of the most prominent directors and performers in the pink film genre worked for Million Film.
Million's beginning
Million Films was a subsidiary of Keitsū Productions, which ran a string of cinemas during the post-war years, including the Shinjuku Moulin Rouge, which Keitsū revived and ran as a movie theater beginning in April 1947. Late in 1968, Million began distributing films for other production companies, beginning with pink film pioneer Kan MukaiKan Mukai
aka Hiroshi Mukai and was a Japanese film director, cinematographer, producer and screenwriter, known for his pioneering work in the pink film genre...
's in September.
In its first year of existence, Million Film distributed films starring some of the leading performers in the pink film industry. , produced by Unimonde and released by Million in October 1968, gave future 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:...
Roman Porno queen Kazuko Shirakawa
Kazuko Shirakawa
is a Japanese actress who is best known for her appearances in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno films during the 1970s. She appeared in Nikkatsu's first film in the Roman Porno series, Apartment Wife , and is considered the first of the three "Nikkatsu Queens" of the 1970s...
a role as one of lead actor Masayoshi Nogami's sex partners. Unusual for Nogami, who specialized in roles as rapists, Shirakawa's character is a willing participant. Produced by Yamabe Pro and released by Million in November 1968, director Jirō Matsubara's was notable for teaming two of the most popular pink film actresses of the day, Naomi Tani
Naomi Tani
is a Japanese actress who is best known for her appearances in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno films with an S&M theme during the 1970s.-Early career:Born October 20, 1948, in the Hakata ward of Fukuoka, Naomi Tani moved to Tokyo at the age of 18. After arrival in Tokyo, she was featured in a photo layout...
and Mari Iwai.
While continuing to distribute films from other production companies, in 1969, the year in which the production company was founded, Million Film began producing films for Keitsū's theater chain. During the boom years of the pink film industry, in the mid- to late-1960s, dozens of small studios produced pink films. The major studios, including Toei
Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
, and especially 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:...
took over the sexploitation film in the early 1970s. This was a period of weeding-out of smaller independent studios, leaving only a few major pink studios. Along with Shintōhō and Ōkura Eiga
OP Eiga
, also known as is the largest and one of the oldest independent Japanese studios which produce and distribute pink films. Along with Shintōhō, Kantō, Million Film, and Kōji Wakamatsu's production studio, Ōkura was one of the most influential studios on the pink film genre...
(OP Eiga), Million was one of the few independent studios to survive this era.
1970s
Among the prominent pink filmmakers who worked at Million were prolific director Kin'ya Ogawa. In 1970, Ogawa came to Million from Ōkura Eiga, and after a short stay at Million, moved on to Shintōhō. Prominent female pink film director, Sachi HamanoSachi Hamano
aka and , is a Japanese film director. She is the most prolific and written-about female pink film director.-Life and career:Sachi Hamano was born as Sachiko Suzuki in Tokushima Prefecture on March 19, 1948. While in high school, Hamano decided she wanted to become a film director...
shot her debut film at Million Film in 1971. Titled , Million released the film in September 1972.
Under his pseudonym , Sōjirō Motoki began directing films at Million with (December 1971), starring future 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:...
Roman Porno 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....
. Motoki's ties to the pink film went back to 1962, the year of the production of the first film in that genre. Motoki's was one of only four pink films made in 1962. Previous to his career in sex films, Motoki had been a producer at Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
where he was behind such major films as Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa
was a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, Kurosawa directed 30 filmsIn 1946, Kurosawa co-directed, with Hideo Sekigawa and Kajiro Yamamoto, the feature Those Who Make Tomorrow ;...
's Ikiru
Ikiru
is a 1952 Japanese film co-written and directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film examines the struggles of a minor Tokyo bureaucrat and his final quest for meaning. The film stars Takashi Shimura as Kanji Watanabe.-Plot:...
(1952) and Seven Samurai (1954). Motoki continued directing for Million Film until his last film, (June 1977).
The survival rate of early independent pink films is very low, but the DVD company Ace Deuce Entertainment has preserved several early Million Film releases and made them available on home video. and (both 1974) are significant both for being examples of surviving early pink films from an independent studio other than Shintōhō. These are also among the earliest surviving all-color pink film productions. Both these films were produced by Akitaka Kimata's Pro Taka production studio and directed by his son Akiyoshi Kimata under the pseudonym . Both films show a light-hearted and easy-going style which contrasts with the darker style of the director and of Million Film productions in later years. The non-political nature of these two films contrasts with the politically-charged pink films of the 1960s, such as those by Kōji Wakamatsu
Koji Wakamatsu
is a Japanese film director who directed such pinku eiga films as and . He also produced Nagisa Ōshima's controversial film In the Realm of the Senses...
, which often tackled current events. made by Genji Nakamura for his own Genji Pro, and released by Million in October 1977 shows a similarly relaxed style, though it does make reference to the political themes of earlier pink film, particularly the Anpo
Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
The was signed between the United States and Japan in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 1960. It strengthened Japan's ties to the West during the Cold War era...
.
Beginning in 1976, Million distributed yō pin, or "Western pink" film, Western films in the sexploitation genre such as those directed by Russ Meyer
Russ Meyer
Russell Albion "Russ" Meyer was a U.S. motion picture director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, actor and photographer....
and Jesús Franco
Jesús Franco
Jesús "Jess" Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England...
. Million continued this distribution of foreign films in Japan until the mid-1980s through a subsidiary called Joypack Film. Million's parent company, Keitsū had built the Shinjuku Joypack Building Annex in July 1976. In 1978 Keitsū established Joypack Amusement, and in July 1979 Joypack Leisure, which included Joypack Amusement and two other companies. Joypack Leisure was involved with aspects of entertainment outside of film.
1980s
Million Film hosted some of the most important pink filmmakers during the early 1980s, and distributed some of the most significant independent pink films made during this era, though the company ceased production in 1986, and withdrew from pink film distribution in 1988. Known as one of the "Three Pillars of Pink", several of Genji Nakamura's most important films were distributed by Million Film during the early 1980s. After working on more than fifty films, (April 1980) was Nakamura's breakthrough as a personal statement, and as his first award-winning film. Another highly-regarded Nakamura film released by Million, Scarlet Prostitute: StabbingScarlet Prostitute: Stabbing
is a 1981 Japanese pink film directed by Genji Nakamura. Considered one of the most important pink film makers of the 1980s, this is judged to be one of Nakamura's best films as an independent director...
(1981), concludes with a controversial, yet poignant scene which, Thomas and Yuko Mihara Weisser write in their Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films, will leave, "[e]ven the most calloused viewer... misty-eyed".
One of the earliest significant female pink film directors, Rumi Tama
Rumi Tama
aka is a Japanese film director, actress, and screenwriter, known for her work in the pink film genre. After making her acting debut in 1965, she appeared in independent pink films throughout the rest of the decade, often for director Akitaka Kimata, whom she would later marry, and his son Seiji...
made her directorial debut for Million Film with the November 1981 release, . Many of Tama's earlier films as an actress-- often produced and directed by her husband Akitaka Kimata, or his son, Seiji Izumi-- had also been released by Million.
Another of the "Three Pillars of Pink", Banmei Takahashi
Banmei Takahashi
is a Japanese film director. Takashi started his career in the pink film industry, making his directorial debut in 1972 with Escaped Rapist Criminal. Due to a disagreement with his producer, Takahashi quit the film industry for a couple years...
's November 1981 Million Film release, won several awards and was named by the mainstream Kinema Jumpo as one of the best films of 1981. Though Takahashi is considered one of the most prominent pink filmmakers of this era, and many critics regard Attacked Woman as his best pink film, the Weissers reported in 1998 that Million Film had declared Attacked Woman a lost film. All prints had been either lost or destroyed, though a 7-minute clip was rediscovered in the late 1980s. However, the film became available on DVD through the Ace-Deuce site in April 2002. Takahashi introduced the noted horror-film director Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
is a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for his many contributions to the Japanese horror genre.-Biography:Born in Kobe on July 19, 1955, Kiyoshi Kurosawa is not related to director Akira Kurosawa...
to Million Film at the start of his career. Though he had a short and troubled relationship with the studio, and eventually only made one pink film, Kurosawa made his debut with Million. Million agreed to produce Kurosawa's project , which was released August 1983. Jasper Sharp writes that Kurosawa's script resembles a pink film tribute to Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard is a French-Swiss film director, screenwriter and film critic. He is often identified with the 1960s French film movement, French Nouvelle Vague, or "New Wave"....
as filtered through Rear Window
Rear Window
Rear Window is a 1954 American suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, written by John Michael Hayes and based on Cornell Woolrich's 1942 short story "It Had to Be Murder"...
(1954). Sharp writes that the combination of Kurosawa's film scholar sensibilities, and the low budget afforded him to film his scenario no doubt appeared as sarcasm to the studio. Nevertheless, Million Film gave Kurosawa a second chance to direct, with his script College Girl: Shameful Seminar. However, after seeing what Kurosawa had filmed, they canceled the project, proclaiming it not sufficiently erotic. Kurosawa later bought back the footage to use it in his mainstream film, The Excitement of the Do-Re-Mi-Fa Girl (1985). After his experience with Million, Kurosawa left the pink film genre behind, finding success in the yakuza and horror fields.
Million Film's parent company, Keitsū's film distribution subsidiary was broken off from Million and named Joypack Cinema in 1983. In 1984, the Japanese Prosecutor's Office decided to enforce the Moral Sensibility law more strictly, targeting pink film theaters, their advertising, and the studios. Hoping to prevent drastic actions, representatives of the pink film studios met with Eirin
Eirin
is the abbreviated name for , Japan's movie regulator. Eirin was established on the model of the American Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America's Production Code Administration in June, 1949, on the instructions of the US occupation force...
, the police and the prosecutor's office. The result of this meeting, known as "the Ice Age summit", was that the studios agreed to a set of conditions in exchange for a promise of leniency from the authorities. The conditions included the banning of 184 words-- such as those implying underage performers, or graphic words such as "rape", "lick", etc.-- in film titles, and the banning of nudity, or two bodies touching affectionately, in poster graphics. The result of the studios' compliance with these new rules was disastrous for the pink film industry, with box-office attendance dropping 36% in the first month of their implementation.
Actress Kiyomi Itō
Kiyomi Itō
is a Japanese actress best known for her performances in pink films. She was given Best Actress awards at the Pink Grand Prix for her work in this genre in 1990, 1992 and 1994.- Life and career :...
debuted at Million, in director Ryūji Akitsu's April 1984 release, . Itō went on to become controversial director Hisayasu Satō
Hisayasu Sato
is a Japanese exploitation film director. He has worked prolifically in the pinku eiga genre. His best known works are the pink film The Bedroom , and the V-Cinema splatter film Splatter: Naked Blood . He is known for his "sledgehammer" filmmaking style, and using his exploitation career to tackle...
's favorite leading actress after working in his debut film, . She appeared in Satō's October 1986 release for Million, , and in some of his most notorious works, including Lolita: Vibrator Torture
Lolita: Vibrator Torture
is a 1987 Japanese pink film directed by Hisayasu Satō. It was produced by producer-director Kan Mukai's Shishi Productions. It was released by Nikkatsu and shown as the third feature of a triple-bill with two films in their Roman Porno series. The film includes the first screen role for Takeshi...
(1987) and Widow's Perverted Hell
Widow's Perverted Hell
aka Look Into Me is a 1991 Japanese pink film directed by Hisayasu Satō. It won the Best Film 6th place award at the Pink Grand Prix.-Synopsis:...
(1991).
In January 1984, Million produced , a film linked to Shintōhō's popular and long-running "Molester Train" series. is a pseudonym used by various filmmakers working individually and together at Genji Nakamura's production studio. Director Ryūichi Hiroki
Ryuichi Hiroki
is a Japanese artist, film director, and film editor.-Biography:Ryūichi Hiroki is now one of the most prolific film directors in Japan. He is a pioneer in using digital video to shoot theatrical films in Japan...
made the first Gō Ijūin film, The SM, in 1984 and it was distributed by Million Film. Hiroki began a successful mainstream career in the late 1980s.
Million Film served as the distributor of the debut works of significant filmmakers even in its last years in production. , released in September 1985, was a pink science-fiction fantasy which provided director Tsutomu Watanabe with his career debut. Watanabe found greater success in horror and fantasy cinema. Hidekazu Takahara, today best known for his musical comedies, made his career debut at Million with the November 1985 release, .
Million Film ceased production in 1986. The closing of the studio's production facilities resulted in the stalling of the debut of prominent director Toshiki Satō
Toshiki Sato
aka , , and is a Japanese film director and screenwriter best known for his pink films of the 1990s. Along with fellow directors, Takahisa Zeze, Kazuhiro Sano and Hisayasu Satō, he is known as one of the .-Life and career:...
for two years. Originally scheduled to make a film for Million in 1986, Satō did not make his first film until 1988, for Nikkatsu Video. Keitsū's film exhibition arm, Joypack Cinema, was renamed Humax in 1987. Million Film stopped distributing pink films in 1988. In 1989 the Humax Group was formed. The Humax Group currently includes Joypack Cinema which produces and distributes non-pink films, and runs several theaters in Tokyo.
Directors
Notable directors whose films were produced or released by Million Film include:
|
Kan Mukai aka Hiroshi Mukai and was a Japanese film director, cinematographer, producer and screenwriter, known for his pioneering work in the pink film genre... Hisayasu Sato is a Japanese exploitation film director. He has worked prolifically in the pinku eiga genre. His best known works are the pink film The Bedroom , and the V-Cinema splatter film Splatter: Naked Blood . He is known for his "sledgehammer" filmmaking style, and using his exploitation career to tackle... Banmei Takahashi is a Japanese film director. Takashi started his career in the pink film industry, making his directorial debut in 1972 with Escaped Rapist Criminal. Due to a disagreement with his producer, Takahashi quit the film industry for a couple years... |
Rumi Tama aka is a Japanese film director, actress, and screenwriter, known for her work in the pink film genre. After making her acting debut in 1965, she appeared in independent pink films throughout the rest of the decade, often for director Akitaka Kimata, whom she would later marry, and his son Seiji... Tadashi Yoyogi is a Japanese director of pink film and adult videos . He is known as the "Father of Japanese Adult Video" and has been credited with establishing the model in his early work for many of adult videos produced since.-Life and career:... 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:... |
Actors and actresses
Notable actors and actresses who performed at Million Film include:
|
Shirō Shimomoto is a Japanese pink film actor and director from Osaka, Japan. He has been called "one of the most individual actors" in the world of pink film.-Life and career:... Kazuko Shirakawa is a Japanese actress who is best known for her appearances in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno films during the 1970s. She appeared in Nikkatsu's first film in the Roman Porno series, Apartment Wife , and is considered the first of the three "Nikkatsu Queens" of the 1970s... |
Rumi Tama aka is a Japanese film director, actress, and screenwriter, known for her work in the pink film genre. After making her acting debut in 1965, she appeared in independent pink films throughout the rest of the decade, often for director Akitaka Kimata, whom she would later marry, and his son Seiji... Naomi Tani is a Japanese actress who is best known for her appearances in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno films with an S&M theme during the 1970s.-Early career:Born October 20, 1948, in the Hakata ward of Fukuoka, Naomi Tani moved to Tokyo at the age of 18. After arrival in Tokyo, she was featured in a photo layout... |
Films
Notable films produced and/or released by Million Film include: (Akiyoshi Kimata as Seiji Izumi, 1974) (Akiyoshi Kimata as Seiji Izumi, 1974) (Genji Nakamura, 1980) (Banmei TakahashiBanmei Takahashi
is a Japanese film director. Takashi started his career in the pink film industry, making his directorial debut in 1972 with Escaped Rapist Criminal. Due to a disagreement with his producer, Takahashi quit the film industry for a couple years...
, 1981)
- Scarlet Prostitute: StabbingScarlet Prostitute: Stabbingis a 1981 Japanese pink film directed by Genji Nakamura. Considered one of the most important pink film makers of the 1980s, this is judged to be one of Nakamura's best films as an independent director...
(Genji Nakamura, 1981) - Kandagawa Pervert WarsKandagawa Pervert Warsis a 1983 Japanese pink film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa who would later go on to a career directing mainstream horror films.-Synopsis:A young girl, Akiko, in a tenement block in Tokyo's Kandagawa area, uses a telescope to spy on her neighbors in between lovemaking sessions with her boyfriend...
(Kiyoshi KurosawaKiyoshi Kurosawais a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for his many contributions to the Japanese horror genre.-Biography:Born in Kobe on July 19, 1955, Kiyoshi Kurosawa is not related to director Akira Kurosawa...
, 1983) - The SM (Ryūichi HirokiRyuichi Hirokiis a Japanese artist, film director, and film editor.-Biography:Ryūichi Hiroki is now one of the most prolific film directors in Japan. He is a pioneer in using digital video to shoot theatrical films in Japan...
as Gō Ijūin, 1984)