### Nagisa Oshima and the Film Revolution - The Turbulent 1960s

### Nagisa Oshima and the Film Revolution - The Turbulent 1960s

In the 1960s, Japan's society was undergoing rapid changes against a backdrop of rapid postwar economic growth. On the other hand, politically, the Security Treaty and school conflicts were becoming more active, and opposition to the system was spreading, especially among young people. In the film industry as well, there was growing criticism of the traditional commercialism of movies, and a movement for "new expression" emerged. At the center of this movement was film director Nagisa Oshima.

#### The Emergence of Nagisa Oshima, Film Director
Nagisa Oshima, who studied political science at Kyoto University, was known for his incisive depiction of social issues through his filmmaking. He was critical of the conventional entertainment films made by the major film companies of the time, such as Shochiku and Toho, and sought a new form of cinematic expression. His best-known works, "Seishun Zankoku Monogatari" (1960) and "Nihon Haru Uta Kou" (1967), which deal with themes of youth rebellion and social taboos, had a major impact on the film industry at the time.

#### Discussing the Film Revolution
One night, Nagisa Oshima had a heated discussion with a group of filmmakers gathered at the "Mokuba" bar in Shinjuku's Golden Gai. Among those present were film director Masahiro Shinoda, screenwriter Meng Tamura, actress Shima Iwashita, and young film critic Koichi Yamada. They actively exchanged opinions about "the social role that films have.

**Nagisa Oshima:**
Films are more than entertainment. They should have the power to reflect the contradictions and oppressions in society and provoke audiences."

To this, Masahiro Shinoda gently retorts.

**Masahiro Shinoda:**
Certainly social themes are important. But if the audience doesn't enjoy them, won't any message reach them?"

Young film critic Koichi Yamada joins in.

**Yamada Koichi:**
Director Oshima is right. There are too many films in the film industry today that pander too much to the establishment. I think we need more films that will shake the consciousness of the audience."

Through these discussions, Nagisa Oshima further deepened his own convictions.

#### Historical Background and the Film Revolution
During this period, a new trend called the "Japanese Nouvelle Vague" was emerging in the film world. Directors such as Nagisa Oshima, Shohei Imamura, Yoshishige Yoshida, and even Yasushi Nakahira were breaking down existing frameworks and exploring new visual expressions and narrative techniques. Oshima sought freedom in filmmaking, and after a confrontation with Shochiku, he set up an independent production company, Soso-sha. Through films such as "Strangled to Death" (1968) and "Merry Christmas at the Battlefield" (1983), his film revolution gained worldwide acclaim.

#### Nagisa Oshima's Influence
Nagisa Oshima's films were more than just visual works; they functioned as a "provocative medium" to make audiences think about social issues. His film revolution influenced later directors such as Yoji Yamada and Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and fundamentally changed the nature of the Japanese film industry from then on.

His words, "Cinema is a weapon of revolution," have been passed down to us as a symbolic phrase of this era.