Mastodawn

Can you imagine a film about lesbian nuns in 1950s Japan? Look no further than this year’s BFI Flare festival.

‘Impure Nuns’ is a cheap flick from Japan’s Shin-Tōhō studio. Released in 1958 it tells the story of a young Catholic woman who enters a convent after a rape & abortion. Some years on, after becoming a model nun, she is seduced by a wild young novice and her life unravels.

The film is mad, camp as hell, disturbing in its treatment of rape; but at times also beautiful and romantic. It bombed on release as it wasn’t sexually explicit enough for its intended male audience but was too obviously intended as semi-porn to be remarketed to women (they did try).

The director was Michiyoshi Doi and it starred Miyuki Takakura as Sister Eri and Mayumi Ōzora as the young novice Anna.

https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/flare/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=impure-nuns-flare26

#土居通芳 #高倉みゆき #大空眞弓 #新東宝株式会社 #shintoho #michiyoshidoi #miyukitakakura #mayumiozora #bfiflare #lgbtq #lesbian #nun #japanesecinema #japan #日本🇯🇵 #queercinema

Impure Nuns | BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2026

This transgressive 1950s treasure, previously unseen outside of Japan, chronicles an affair between two nuns at a boarding school.

BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2026

O'tu (aka 02)Mar 15

Today I’d like to share a film
I watched at the end of last year that has stayed with me.

“There’s nothing interesting about my everyday life…”
“I’m probably no good anyway…”

For those kinds of days, when such thoughts quietly creep in,
this film gently nudges you forward.

PERFECT DAYS —
The Everyday Life of a Tokyo Toilet Cleaner in the World’s Cleanest Country

Feel free to take a peek!
https://introvert-path.com/en/embracing-e/hobby-life-e/20251228-1/

#JapaneseCinema #Cinema #Reflection #SlowLiving #Introverts

VIKINGS vs SAMURAI Mar 9

Samurai Fiction slaps. Black & white visuals, bursts of color, jazz-rock soundtrack, and Hotei as the sword-stealing villain. Style for days, blood with bite, ninjas flipping like popcorn. It’s part homage, part parody, all cool.
https://vikingsvssamurai.com/samurai-fiction/
#SamuraiFiction #JapaneseCinema #CultFilm

Samurai Fiction

Samurai Fiction walks the tightrope of parody and homage.

VIKINGS vs SAMURAI

Church of Jeff Mar 1

Ishirō Honda, the visionary Japanese filmmaker best known for directing the original "Godzilla" and many other kaiju classics, passed away on this day.
#FilmHistory #OnThisDay #Cinema #IshirōHonda #Godzilla #Kaiju #JapaneseCinema #MonsterMovies

Chris 👾Feb 26

"Japan Society is pleased to announce the film series Meiko Kaji: A Retrospective, a focus on the cult actress featuring her first public New York appearance in over 40 years—running March 27 – April 4."

New York only, but I'll keep an eye on their social media, let's hope they'll stream some of these events!

https://japansociety.org/film/meiko-kaji-a-retrospective/

#movies #cinemastodon #JapaneseCinema

Meiko Kaji: A Retrospective

Recruited at the twilight of Japan’s studio era, actress and singer Meiko Kaji emerged in 1965 as a contract player for Nikkatsu, Japan’s oldest film studio. Outspoken and tenacious, she resisted the prescribed mold of modest, reserved female roles, often to the frustration of executives who soon relegated her to supporting parts. Even as an eighteen-year-old newcomer, her unyielding nature revealed a resolute spirit well-suited for outsider roles, and Kaji soon embodied an anti-establishment image of outlaws, bikers and delinquents. As the industry shifted into violent and sexually charged genre productions to counter waning attendance, Kaji avoided typecasting—even with the success of her vengeful angels—seeking instead to further her craft and artistry, opting for variety over stardom. Moving from ninkyo eiga (chivalry films) and pinky violence to yakuza pictures, arthouse productions and television, Kaji—whose piercing gaze came to define an era of Japanese cinema—transcended the confines of genre cinema; her depth and versatility extend far beyond the cult mythos that surrounds her.

Japan Society

NewsletterTF Feb 26

'Kokuho' Film Explores Kabuki World Amidst Succession Struggles and Tradition

The film Kokuho explores Kabuki's succession struggles and talent shortage. See how this affects the future of this traditional Japanese art form and its performers.

#KokuhoFilm, #KabukiTheatre, #JapaneseCinema, #SuccessionStruggle, #ArtRevival

https://newsletter.tf/kokuho-film-explores-kabuki-succession-challenges-and-talent-shortage/

NewsletterTF Feb 26

The film Kokuho, Japan's Oscar entry, is a huge box office success, earning more than any other live-action film from Japan. This shows a big interest in Kabuki.

#KokuhoFilm, #KabukiTheatre, #JapaneseCinema, #SuccessionStruggle, #ArtRevival

https://newsletter.tf/kokuho-film-explores-kabuki-succession-challenges-and-talent-shortage/

Kokuho Film Shows Kabuki Succession Problems and How It Affects New Actors

The film Kokuho explores Kabuki's succession struggles and talent shortage. See how this affects the future of this traditional Japanese art form and its performers.

VIKINGS vs SAMURAI Feb 21

Kill! is samurai cinema with a side of satire. Genta & Hanjiro are caught in a clan war, told to kill each other, but they outwit everyone instead. Okamoto’s wild genre-bender mocks tradition, and it’s glorious.
🔗 https://vikingsvssamurai.com/kill/
#KillMovie #SamuraiSatire #JapaneseCinema

Kill!

Revenge and camaraderie fuel a perilous quest. Feudal intrigue and duels unfurl. Loyalties shift, secrets cut deep. A blood-soaked tapestry weaves tales of honor and treachery.

VIKINGS vs SAMURAI