| Kan Mukai | |
| Birth Name: | Hiroki Mukae |
| Birth Date: | October 16, 1937 |
| Birth Place: | Dairen, Manchukuo |
| Death Place: | Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation: | Film director, cinematographer, producer and screenwriter |
| Yearsactive: | 1962–2004 |
| Spouse: | Takako Uchida[1] |
| Website: | https://web.archive.org/web/20091111115700/http://www.kuruma.org/mukai/ |
a.k.a. Hiroshi Mukai and [2] was a Japanese film director, cinematographer, producer and screenwriter, known for his pioneering work in the pink film genre. In the realm of pink cinema, Japanese critics have estimated that Mukai is "the only serious rival of Kōji Wakamatsu."[3] As a producer, Mukai helped the early careers of many prominent directors, including Hisayasu Satō and Academy-Award winner Yōjirō Takita. In his career, he directed nearly 200 films and produced approximately 500.[4]
Kan Mukai was born in Dairen, Manchukuo (modern Dalian, China) on October 16, 1937.[5] He studied economics at Kyushu University, but dropped out to pursue a career in film.[4] In 1959 he began his apprenticeship, serving as assistant director to Kiyoshi Saeki, Tadashi Imai and Isao Yoshida.[4] [6] He also worked as a cinematographer on projects for various studios, mostly for educational, children's and industrial films. During this early period in his career he honed his craft and became known as a top cinematographer.[7]
Mukai made his debut as a director in 1962 with, an educational film.[8] [9] Wanting to direct, but lacking the educational requirements necessary to be hired as a director at a major studio,[7] in 1965, Mukai moved into the lucrative new pink film genre. That year he founded Mukai Productions and, with financial backing from Nihon Cinema, directed his first pink feature,, which was distributed by Kokuei.[8] [9] [10] Though the film was a plotless series of scenes in the life of a prostitute, Mukai's technical skill impressed early pink audiences and critics, and he quickly became a major name in the genre.[7] Comparing him to the major pink director of the 1960s, a critic for Kinema Junpo wrote, "Hiroshi Mukai is the only genre director who could rival Kōji Wakamatsu."[11] Flesh received international distribution, and was released in Germany on May 14, 1965 as Nacktes Fleisch.[12] The Bite (1966) was another early Mukai film shown overseas, playing in the U.S. soon after its Japanese release, and in Britain, under the title Bait, in 1967.[13] [14] [15] It was released on DVD in the U.S. in 2008.[16]
According to some sources, Mukai's Sexy Partners (1967) was the first S&M film. It was the first to use the subject as its primary theme.[17] He worked with his wife,[1] actress Takako Uchida, in several of his early films such as Nightly Pleasure (Yoru No Yorokobi, 1967), Stories of Adultery (Aru Mittsu, 1967), and Spring of Ecstasy (Kokotsu No Izumi, 1968). Stories of Adultery was a three-part omnibus film, with other two segments directed by Kōji Wakamatsu and Shin'ya Yamamoto (director).[18] Mukai's section was titled Beauty and Ugliness (Bi To Shu). Takako Uchida later starred in Nikkatsu's big-budget pre-Roman Porno venture into the pink arena, Story Of Heresy In Meiji Era (1968).[19] Mukai gave future first Nikkatsu Roman Porno star, Kazuko Shirakawa, her film debut with the 1967 film Girls' Dormitory.[20] Until that studio's reorganization in 1967, Mukai's films were released principally through Kanto Films.[21] [22] In 1968, Mukai founded his own studio, and, was the first film released by Mukai Studios.[22] [23]
Mukai often employed gimmick-like elements in his films or their publicity to create audiences for his films. His (1968) benefitted from a publicity campaign emphasizing that mainstream actress Mitsugu Fujii was starring in this pink film. The whisper-campaign behind Flesh 2 (1969)—sequel to Mukai's debut film—focused on a sex scene between a Korean girl and a black U.S. G.I., and Japan Virgin Rape (1970) had the first lady of Indonesia in its cast.[3] [6] Blue Film Woman was an early all-color pink film, and Jasper Sharp writes that Mukai's use of color in this film appears to be "making up for lost time", and that the film is a "highly stylised piece."[24] In 1969, Mukai's film (1966) was released in Italy under the title Naomi. The film was banned due to obscenity, but scored a triumph in a showing at Waseda University's Okuma Auditorium.[8]
Throughout his career Mukai was known for working in both action and sex genres, and in the 1970s, Mukai made several films in both genres, and with the two genres mixed for the Toei Company.[25] Deep Throat in Tokyo, directed for Toei in 1975, is his best-known film.[26] Comparing Mukai's film to the original Deep Throat (U.S., 1972), Jasper Sharp writes that Mukai's film, a softcore, "airbrushed fantasy" with a higher budget and, in Kumi Taguchi, a more attractive leading lady, is "a world apart from the more crude and direct approach taken by its revolutionary American model." Nevertheless, Sharp judges that Mukai's softcore film is more offensive than the hardcore original because of its more reactionary approach to sex.[27]
In 1979, after the closing of his original Mukai Productions, Mukai started . The name "Shishi", meaning "Lion", was a pun on "4x4", indicating Mukai's ambition to foster the careers of 16 young directors.[28] As producer, Mukai had an influence on the careers of the group of directors who came to prominence in the 1980s. Hisayasu Satō began working in the film industry through Shishi Productions in 1981, and had his directing debut there with (1985). He continued working with Mukai throughout the decade.[29] Takahisa Zeze also gained his first film experience at Shishi, working as a screenwriter, and assistant directing for Satō.[30] Through Shishi Productions Mukai gave Academy-Award-winning director Yōjirō Takita his first work in the film industry.[31]
In June 1982 Mukai re-formed Mukai Productions.[32] As a production company, Mukai's films were distributed by other studios, including Nikkatsu, which used these films to supplement their Roman porno series triple-bills. During the 1980s, when rape-themed films were popular, Mukai produced some of Nikkatsu's most extreme examples of the genre, including the Subway Serial Rape series (1985–1988).[33] Mukai produced celebrated Roman porno director Tatsumi Kumashiro's final film, (1995).[6]
In his later works as director Mukai moved into non-pink mainstream subjects. His Going West (1997) was what the director called, "Japan's first granny road movie".[6] [34] He directed a sequel to Going West entitled Hometown in 1999. Other films of this final, mainstream period in Mukai's career include Last Dance (2001) and School Reunion (2004).[34] After battling liver cancer for two years, Mukai died on June 11, 2008.[35] [36]
| Title[37] | Release date | Starring | Studio | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960s | |||||
| Two Boys Futari no shōnen | 1962 | Mukai's directorial debut Non-pink educational film | |||
| Flesh Niku | 1965-05 | Kemi Ichiboshi Toshio Tanaka | Nihon Cinema / Tokyo Geijutsu Productions / Kokuei | 81 min. B&W | |
| Continuation: Chronicle of an Affair aka Misused Zoku: jōji no rirekisho | 1966-04 | Tamaki Katori Anzu Kitamika | Tokyo Geijutsu Productions / Kokuei | 73 min. B&W | |
| The Bite aka Bait Esa | 1966-08 | Michiko Shiroyama Machiko Matsumoto Senjō Ichiriki | Tokyo Geijutsu Productions | 63 min. B&W | |
| Fancy Footwork aka Forbidden Technique aka Naomi (1969 re-release title) Kinjirareta Tekunikku | 1966-11 | Shusaku Muto Kazuko Kano Yuichi Minato | Nihon Cinema | 75 min. B&W | |
| Nightly Pleasure Yoru no yorokobi | 1967-03-07 | Takako Uchida Jōji Ohara | Nihon Cinema / Kantō | 79 min. B&W | |
| Afternoon Rendezvous Hirusagari no aibiki | 1967-03-28 | Shusaku Buto Kimiko Asuka | Nihon Cinema | 75 min. B&W | |
| Some Stories of Adultery Aru mittsū | 1967-04-15 | Mitsugu Gujii Takako Uchida | Nihon Cinema | Beauty and Ugliness segment 73 min. B&W | |
| Seeking for Women Onna asari | 1967-04-15 | Nihon Cinema / Mitsukuni Eiga | 70 min. B&W | ||
| Girls' Dormitory Joshiryō | 1967-05-16 | Kazuko Shirakawa Midori Hinoki Michiko Sakyō Kemi Ichiboshi Yoko Shimura | Nihon Cinema / Kantō | 73 min. B&W | |
| Attachment of a Virgin Shojo miren | 1967-05 | Megumi Hoshikawa Kumiko Arata Shusaku Buto Kyoji Kokonoe | Nihon Cinema | ||
| Sexy Partners aka Lustful Companions Iro No Michizure | 1967-07-02 | Michiko Sakyō Jōji Ohara Midori Enoki Kemi Ichiboshi | Mutsukuni Eiga / 六邦映画 | 70 min. B&W | |
| Report on an Abnormal Situation: Female Plastic Surgery aka Documentary: Evils Of Plastic Surgery Ijō taiken hakusho: nyotai seikei | 1967-09-04 | Eri Nakakoji Kemi Ichiboshi | Kokuei | 75 min. Part color | |
| Shameful Technique Hazukashii gikō | 1967-09-19 | Rika Mizuki Koji Satomi | Mukai Productions / Nihon Cinema / Kantō | First release from Mukai Productions 67 min. B&W | |
| Certificate of Virginity Shojo shōmeisho | 1967-11-14 | Miyuki Matsushima Mayumi Taki | Nihon Cinema / Kantō | 69 min. Part color | |
| Rape Me! Big Battle Okashite | Daigassen | 1967 | Nihon Cinema | ||
| Technique in Private Koshitsu No Technique | 1967 | Tsuneo Kawai Hiromi Aoi | Nihon Cinema / Tokyo Koei | 69 min. | |
| Obscene Family Insignia Inmon: shojo-zuma kantsū | 1967 | Takako Uchida Shinji Kubo Kemi Ichiboshi | Nihon Cinema | 73 min. | |
Aoi firumu shinasadame | 1968-03 | Mitsugu Fujii Norihiro Ohtani Mari Nagisa Risa Minakami | Mukai Productions / Wakamatsu Productions | 69 min. Part color | |
| Torturing a Sensitive Spot Kyūsho-zeme | 1968-04 | Mari Nagisa Kozue Katori | Uematsu Productions | 70 min. Part color | |
| The Lewd Ones Inran | 1968-05 | Uematsu Productions | 68 min. Part color | ||
| Raped Virgin's Diary: Female Beast Bōkō shōjo nikki: mesu | 1968-07 | Kemi Ichiboshi Norihiro Ohtani Shinji Kubo | Mukai Productions / Nihon Cinema / Kantō | 81 min. Part color | |
| History of Japanese Sexual Behavior: Forced Double Suicide Nihon sei fūzokushi murishinjū | 1968-09 | Kemi Ichiboshi Toshio Tanaka Mari Nagisa Kiyoko Takeda | Asakura Productions / Kokuei | 80 min. Part color | |
| Cruel Story of a Sex Film Actress Sex joyū zankokushi | 1968-09 | Saeko Tsugawa Yuri Yamashina | Million Film / Nihon Cinema | 80 min. Part color | |
Gendai kunoichi niku jigoku | 1968-10 | Kozue Katori Joji Ohara Mari Nagisa | Mukai Productions / Kantō | 68 min. Part color | |
| Unfaithful Wife Futeizuma | 1968-11 | Shintaro Taki Kozue Katori Hiroshi Jo Kaori Aihara Akiko Kozuki | Asakura Productions | 71 min. Part color | |
| Indecent Wife Midarazuma: gedō jōen | 1968-12 | Shinji Kubo Mari Nagisa Misa Takarai | Mukai Productions | 76 min. Part color | |
| Flesh 2 Zoku niku | 1968-12 | Yuko Maya Fred Silver | Asakura / Mukai Productions / Kokuei | 73 min. Part color | |
| Blue Film Woman Burū firumu no onna | 1969-01 | Mitsugu Fujii Ichirō Furuoka Miki Hashimoto | Asakura Productions | 80 min. Color | |
1970s and later | |||||
| Sleeping Nude aka Flesh Futon and Spring, Summer, Autumn Winter: Flesh Futon Niku futon | 1971-01 | Shinji Kubo Kenji Miyase Kumi Sugimura Yuki Takami Hiroko Fuji Nashiko Shimae | Kokuei | 71 min. Part color | |
| Wet Play Nureta yūgi | 1971-03 | Million Film | 70 min. B&W | ||
| Hymn of Roses Aru moderu no sei to shi: bara no sanka | 1970-04 | Kokuei | 71 min. Part color | ||
| Deep Throat in Tokyo aka Tokyo Madame Deep Throat Tōkyō diipu surōto fujin | 1975-12-06 | Kumi Taguchi Hideo Murota Tatsuya Nanjo Tetsuya Chiba | Toei | 77 min. Color | |
| Snake and Lady Slave Hebi to onnadorei | 1976-10-16 | Eiko Yanami Junichirō Yamashita Hideo Sunazuka | Mukai Productions / Universe Productions | 65 min. Color | |
| Forbidden Lady Bondage aka Forbidden Bound Wife Hakkin shibari fujin | 1978-01 | Jirō Kokubu Mako Kitano Mami Sakura | Shintōhō Eiga | 63 min. Color | |
| Nun: Secret Shūdōjo: himegoto | 1978-10 | Mayuko Hino Mako Kitano Mariko Kitazawa | Universe Productions | 62 min. Color | |
| Savaged and Ravaged aka Secret Rape and Rape Injustice in Japan Nippon mikkan gōmon-shi | 1979-02 | Yuriko Azuma Tōru Ibuki Akihiko Kanbara | Shintōhō Eiga | 61 min. Color | |
| Lady on 6th Street: Taste of Honey Onna 6-chōme: Mitsu no aji | 1982-10-02 | Junko Tamura Yumika Nogawa Natsuko Ishida | Shishi Productions | 94 min. Color Drama (non-pink) | |
| Wet Kimono Yojōhan iro no nureginu | 1983-03-12 | Jun Miho Osamu Murashima Yuriko Hishimi | Toei Central Films | Mainstream drama 83 min. Color | |
| Going West: To the West Going West: Nishi-e... | 1997-10-18 | Chikage Awashima Mikio Ōzawa Miki Fujitani | Mukai Productions | Mainstream film 99 min. Color |