Cinema has drawn inspiration from literature since its inception.  Recognising the significant impact of modern literary works on the Golden Age of Japanese cinema, Cine Fan will showcase 16 films adapted from the writings of five celebrated Japanese novelists in its upcoming November/December edition.  Complementing the programme will be Cine Fan’s annual film course, focusing this year on Andrei Tarkovsky, widely regarded as one of the most spiritual and poetic directors of all time.

Building on the programme featuring Kawabata Yasunari in 2019, Cinematic Landscapes of Japanese Literature brings together the acclaimed works of five pivotal figures from the Meiji era to the present days: Natsume Soseki, Tanizaki Junichiro, Matsumoto Seicho, Mishima Yukio, and Murakami Haruki.

In adapting literary works for the screen, master filmmaker Ichikawa Kon demonstrated his skill in capturing the interplay between the original spirit of the novels and his own reflections on the post-war collapse of traditional Japanese values.  He adapted three influential works, including Natsume’s The Heart and I Am a Cat, as well as Mishima’s The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (which was retitled Conflagration).  A veteran in the adaptation of Matsumoto’s thrilling detective stories, Nomura Yoshitaro earned acclaim for enhancing themes of social corruption and human darkness through escalating narrative tension, as exemplified in Stakeout and The Castle of Sand.

Among the many cinematic adaptations of Tanizaki’s novels focused on erotic obsessions, Tanaka Kinuyo excelled in her captivating performances as the imperious blind musician in Shimazu Yasujiro’s Okoto and Sasuke and as the enigmatic lonely widow in Mizoguchi Kenji’s Miss Oyu, which is celebrated for its lyrical long takes and enchanting imagery, elevating the source material to an artistic masterpiece.  Morita Yoshimitsu’s poetic rendition of Natsume’s And Then, alongside Ichikawa Jun’s minimalist contemplation of Murakami’s Tony Takitani, has also garnered praise from both readers and cinephiles.

The theme of cinematic adaptations of literature is reflected throughout the selection in Cine Fan’s other sections.  Rashomon, Akira Kurosawa’s classic film adapted from two short stories by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, is an extraordinary masterwork that revolutionised cinematic language and introduced Japanese cinema and literature to the Western world.  Paul Schrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters and Tran Anh Hung’s Norwegian Wood, based on Murakami’s most famous novel, provide a fascinating perspective on Japanese literature through the eyes of foreign filmmakers.  The Hollywood adaptations of Ernest Hemingway’s legendary The Killers, by Robert Siodmak in 1946 and Don Siegel in 1964, further illustrate the diversity of interpretation inspired by the enigmatic short story.

The popular Cine Fan Film Course, centred on Andrei Tarkovsky this year, comprises a series of seven lectures in which critics and academics will share their insights on how the Russian maestro sculpted time and pure art in his poetic cinema.  Each lecture will be preceded by a screening of his feature films, ranging from his debut Ivan’s Childhood to his final work, The Sacrifice.  His three early short films, including another intriguing adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s The Killers, will also be screened to provide a comprehensive overview of his genius and artistry.

For the complete programme and schedule of Cine Fan's November/December edition, please visit the official website (https://cinefan.hkiff.org.hk). Tickets for all screenings will be available at URBTIX outlets starting from 22 October.