Throughout the four decades of his career, Kazuo Hara has explored the margins of Japanese society, certain that central truths are to be found in fringe phenomena. In the creation of what he terms “action documentary,” he aims to imitate the shocking effect of the action film, following gestures and staying in the moment. In this masterclass, Hara will discuss the key ideas behind his unique filmmaking methodology; from the role of filmmaker as an accomplice and collaborator to his subjects, to his enduring fascination with the body, and his commitment to breaking down the boundaries between the private, the public and the political.

Supported by Japan Foundation London

“Part of Kazuo Hara: In Focus The masterclass will hosted by Julian Ross. Julian is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Westminster. He holds a PhD on 1960-70s Japanese Expanded Cinema at the University of Leeds. His curatorial projects have been presented at Tate Modern, British Film Institute, Eye Film Institute, Art Institute of Chicago, BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, Harvard Film Archive, Anthology Film Archives, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and other institutions. He is a Programmer at International Film Festival Rotterdam.  ”