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.