Documentary: Koji Yamamura, Animator

Tokyo University of the Arts professor Koji Yamamura is a well-respected name in the world of independent animation, having created films such as the Oscar-nominated Mt. Head, the NFB-produced Myubridge's Strings, Satie's Parade, and more.

In this new, 20-minute documentary by Japanese Archipel producers, Koji Yamamura reflects on his influences ( Ishu Patel,  Priit Pärn. Norman McLaren are some of them), and makes it known that animation does not stop at the screening room; images and exhibitions are now part of the animated experience, as he tries to do with Au Praxinoscope Gallery.

 Yamamura tells the story of his Oscar nomination, which started from the Ottawa International Animation Festival, and an American producer who liked the 10-minute film he saw; eventually, the film was shortlisted and included in the 2003 Academy Awards nominees (lost to Sony's The ChubbChubbs by Eric Armstrong).

 Producers and Yamamura visited places such as Joshinji Temple (Kuhombutsu Area) and Nekojarashi Park (Kuhombutsu Area), as well as the Tokyo University of the Arts, where they saw Koji Yamamura instructing his students on post-production and sound design.

Read Also:  Our Interview with Koji Yamamura / Retain A Clear Ambition and Motivation

Even though he still knows the harsh reality of non-funding for films outside the anime genre, Koji Yamamura still evokes a sense of artistic responsibility for what he's doing in this nicely produced short documentary.

Archipel production started with toco toco, a regular series introducing Japanese creators, artists and the places that inspire them. The YouTube channel has evolved to now offer more diverse, Japan-centric documentary content with new series or standalone videos, focusing on a wider range of people and aspects of Japanese culture.

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