Shohei Imamura
September 15, 1926 -– May 30, 2006

“It is a lot easier to be obedient and stay with the establishment, but this is not my way of life. I always try to change society completely with my films. Of course, filmmaking is not like catch. You can throw the ball but there is no guarantee that it will be caught.”

“I am interested in the relationship of the lower part of the human body and the lower part of the social structure on which the reality of daily Japanese life obstinately supports itself.”

Shohei Imamura, born 85 years ago today.

Black Rain // dir. Shohei Imamura

The Ballad of Narayama // dir. Shohei Imamura

Vengeance is Mine // dir. Shohei Imamura

The Profound Desire of the Gods // dir. Shohei Imamura

The Pornographers // dir. Shohei Imamura

Intentions of Murder // dir. Shohei Imamura

The Insect Woman // dir. Shohei Imamura

Pigs and Battleships // dir. Shohei Imamura