THE IMAGE OF JAPAN TRANSFORMATION IN THE EUROPEAN LIVE ACTION (1971-1994)

Abstract

Cinematography as a space of intercultural dialogue is one of frequent research objects for various specialists. This article touches upon the theme of Orientalism in cinematographic compositions. At the beginning of the 1970s Japan began to occupy a leading position in Pacific region, which affected live-action cinematography. The purpose of that research is to study forming and transforming of Japan’s characteristic image in European fictional films (1971 – 1994). The study uses an imagology approach – researching the appearance of one nation in another nation’s history and culture. European films of the period depict Japan as either hostile and barbaric or culturally developed country. Whereas the image of Japan as a barbaric country was promoted by topics related to feudal Japan, the image of Japan as a country of culture was presented by applied arts and scientific and technical progress. The author came to following conclusion. European director’s most often referred to the theme of Japan’s participation in the Second World War as well as to the Japanese feudal culture. The general plots of the films were military operations and last days before Japanese capitulation. Well-established images of barbaric and picturesque country became eclectic, and the samurai-codex was presented in a new way, particularly in philosophy of sword and death. Colonial fictional film discourse has been converted and gained a symbolic form. The important part of this was the representation of Japanese art and science. Japan as a country of future became one of the prevailing new images. Key words: European cinema, representation, the image of Japan.