The Benshi-Japanese Silent Film Narrators |
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The Hidden Stars of Japanese Cinema - Focusing on the Art of the BenshiIn the early days of Japanese cinema, films were silent and the narration of the actor's voices was left to the prowess of the benshi, or film narrator. Screening silent films with benshi commentary and narration was the norm in Japan-and the benshi and their art and style of delivery became Japanese cultural art forms. Regrettably this art form virtually disappeared when talkies replaced the silent film genre. Still, its historic importance cannot be overlooked. This publication outlines the superlative benshi narration of 50 Japanese silent movie classics and presents an introduction to the activities of the benshi, including their profiles. It also features an essay by film critic Sato Tadao and an interview with Sawato Midori, the only professional benshi still active. This volume is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the origins of Japanese cinema. |