What we do

Dissemination of silent films and silent performers in Europe

  • Organization : Association of silent film performers
  • Section : Overseas
  • Type of Grant Program : Single
  • Art Forms : Visual Art / Media Art, Japanese Traditional Art, Interdisciplinary

Outline

This project aims to disseminate the culture of cinema and photo-interpreter, benshi, which was developed from the end of Meiji period (1868-1912) to the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989) in Tokyo and other cities, to Europe. Various projects have been designed to introduce the culture of Japanese cinema to the world but without desired effects. The performer Ichiro Kataoka, will go Germany for half a year to change that. He will contribute to the dissemination and the development worldwide of the culture of cinema through actively participating in silent film festivals and cultural events and through promoting cinema there. By strengthening cooperation among professionals from the world of silent films, the projects set goals to enhance cinema programs that contribute culturally to people in Tokyo.

Profile

Ichiro Kataoka
In 2002 Mr Kataoka became a disciple of Midori Sawato, a benshi and one of the few silent photo-interpreters still active in Japan. He mainly makes contributions to the Tokyo International Film Festival, Tokyo International Anime Fair, Silent Film Viewing Program, and classic film theaters in Tokyo. He has received many invitations from many countries including Germany, Australia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Italy and has performed in those countries since 2007, when he gave his performance at the Motovun Film Festival in Croatia. He was invited by Michigan University Artist as a researcher to their artist in residence program as part of their Japan-U.S. exchange project.

Contact

Ichiro Kataoka
Director
Association of silent film performers 7-25-10 Higashiooizumi Nerima-ku, Tokyo 178-0063
E-mail: ichirobenshi◆gmail.com
Please replace ◆ with @.

Venues

Universität Bonn
teatro verdi