Japanese Pink Cinema: Gender, Sexuality, and Screen Studies (ASIA 490Z 001)

This seminar will explore the Japanese genre of Pink Film (pinku eiga) as a medium to facilitate a study of the relationship between transnational cinemas, sexuality, and bodies in commercial media. The course will ask participants to consider how they view “foreign” film, how a film exposing the human body is received, and how the representation of diverse and challenging sexualities on screen can shift a film's reception. It will explore the history of Japanese pink cinema and how it allowed marginalized voices to break through (with special consideration to Japanese women directors and feminist media).


Seminar Learning Goals

  • Understand the history and development of Pink Film as a genre in Japan

  • Identify and explain core characteristics of Pink Film as a genre

  • Identify how these films were and are currently recieved by audiences

  • Understand the complex system of obscenity laws in Japan

  • Identify biases when engaging with foreign films and implement transnational cinema studies techniques

  • Understand North America’s history of orientalism and othering of Asia and Japan

  • Have thoughtful discourse on the subject of sex in media and respect the variety of opinions it provokes

  • Write a critical essay on the development of an era of Pink Film and apply its historical significance to modern day

  • Apply all of this the to the final project

Tentative Schedule

Week 1: Introductions, Transnational Cinema

Week 2: Sex & Sexuality In Media: How We Gaze

Week 3: History of the Japanese Pink Film Industry

Week 4: Classical Pink Film / Pink Film’s Influence

Week 5: Censorship and Consolidation of the Pinks

Week 6: Pink Spaces and Crossing into the 70s

Week 7: Troubled BDSM Representations in Pink Film

Week 8: Alternative Pink Film

Week 9: Feminist Film Theory & Female-Directed Pink film

Week 10: Queer Pink Film

Week 11: Females of Pink Film, From Stars to AV Girls

Week 12: The Future of Pink Film; Becoming Interpersonal


Class Content Disclaimer

The content and discussions in this course will necessarily engage with depictions of sexuality (including nudity, queer representations, and intercourse), misogyny, sexual abuse, and violence. Much of it will be emotionally and intellectually challenging to engage with. Especially graphic or intense content that discusses these themes will be flagged and this seminar will be a safe space to engage bravely, empathetically, and thoughtfully with difficult content every week.


( Made with Carrd )