Film Workshop with Naomi Kawase | Exploring the Limits of Cinematic Artistry
The Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood, co-presented by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, is set to host a master class led by celebrated Japanese director Naomi Kawase. This event, part of a film festival featuring an evening screening of short films, will provide an insightful exploration into the possibilities of filmmaking.
Professor Akira Mizuta Lippit, from the University of Southern California, will moderate the master class. Kawase's session will delve into her filmmaking philosophy, focusing on authenticity, connection to nature, and human emotion, as an influence for budding filmmakers from Asia and beyond.
Kawase's master class is particularly significant as it bridges the gap between Asian and global short cinema. The Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood has been a key platform connecting Asian shorts, particularly Japanese works, with a global audience. Prominent filmmakers like Kawase have shared their perspectives on short filmmaking, narrative crafting, and cultural nuances through masterclasses at the festival.
Japanese and Asian short films often emphasize poetic imagery, social reflection, and personal narratives, rooted in auteur cinema traditions. Kawase exemplifies this with her work that combines intimate storytelling and nature motifs. While American shorts often prioritize brisk storytelling, genre experimentation, and commercial appeal, Asian shorts have increasingly gained international recognition for their artistic depth and socio-cultural engagement.
Participants in the master class will view two of Kawase's short films, including the US premier of "Parallel World" (2017). Kawase's recent films, including "Vision" (2018/ Starring Juliette Binoche), have extended her creative activities to the whole world.
Kawase is known for her documentary-realism approach that explores the distorted space between fiction and non-fiction in modern society. She has directed over 47 films in various formats, including documentaries, short films, and feature films. Kawase has received international recognition and many awards, including the Grand Prix at the Festival de Cannes.
Lippit, besides being the moderator, is also a professor of Comparative Literature and East Asian Languages and Cultures in the USC Dornsife College. He is a founding editor of the visual culture journal Ecce and has published four books reflecting his areas of interest.
It's worth noting that the short film format, under-utilized and under-appreciated in the US, is quickly evolving and expanding in Japan and Asia. The Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood acts as a bridge, fostering deeper understanding of Asian short filmmaking's ethos and practice.
For more information about the event, interested individuals are encouraged to check the festival's website. Registration for the master class has already closed.
Naomi Kawase, a celebrated director, continues to push boundaries in the film industry with her unique approach to storytelling. Her master class at the Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood is a testament to the growing recognition and importance of Asian short films on a global stage.
- The master class led by Naomi Kawase, a celebrated Japanese director, at the Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood, will delve into her filmmaking philosophy, focusing on areas such as authenticity, connection to nature, and human emotion.
- The Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood, co-presented by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, is set to host this master class as part of a film festival featuring an evening screening of short films, aiming to provide an insightful exploration into the possibilities of filmmaking.
- Japanese and Asian short films, often emphasizing poetic imagery, social reflection, and personal narratives, will be the focus of discussions during the master class led by Naomi Kawase.
- The Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood has been a key platform connecting Asian shorts, particularly Japanese works, with a global audience, bridging the gap between Asian and global short cinema.
