Catastrophic genre is rather popular in Japanese film. Here are some reasons for such a preference on theme selection.
Disastrous films mirror the historical vulnerability of Japan towards catastrophes caused by both by nature and mankind. For example, Tokyo had experienced several times of destruction and reconstruction in its five-and-half years of history. Besides, Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s trauma caused by atomic bombs is a major branch of Japan’ history related to disasters. Relying on disastrous films, Japanese film makers hope to release the unresolved tensions and terrors. Constructing films is also a path for reflecting on history.
The theme is also related to the development of Japan between 1950s and 1970s. The country was experiencing its “miracle economy”. Under a flourished era, there were brilliant constructions and developments in different aspects. Catastrophic films stand on the opposite side of the booming nation. Those intensive genres can be treated as a trigger of conflict, or kind of response towards the harmonious appearance of the country.
—— Wu Jingbo 3035845045
Good and clear summary of the reading. As you mentioned, the disaster film genre is an example of how one possible function of film is to facilitate reflections on history. Can you think of other examples, perhaps in a more familiar context, where a film or film genre performs a similar function?