Review of A Critical Hand Book of Japanese Film Directors

In the Japan Times, Mark Schilling reviews the recently released A Critical Handbook of Japanese Film Directors by Alexander Jacoby. Schilling praises Jacoby's "diligence and precision" and writes that "Jacoby has written a book to not only consult but also argue with." The review is now online here.

Issac Stone Fish reviews The Pearl Jacket

The Pearl Jacket and Other Stories: Flash Fiction from Contemporary China, by Shouhua Qi, was recently reviewed by Issac Stone Fish. Fish’s review, originally published in the Asian Review of Books, has since popped up on other websites such as UPIasia.com and the Red Room. He discusses the books' many stories. One in particular is the story of the “Parrot.” Fish gives an analysis of the story by saying, “The collection ends with the dystopian "Parrot," about a poet whose parrot spews prophecies: "Now, including yourself, there are only 13 people left in this town. That's reality, you understand?" The poet examines the town and finds the parrot's words to be true. Returning home, the parrot's mouth (its body has disappeared) exclaims that the other townspeople have died. The poet concludes all that's left for him is to become a parrot. Possibly symbolizing the death of individuality, this story, like the best of the genre, leaves the reader desiring something longer.”

Watch Donald Richie on FORA.tv

Last month in Berkeley, we were honored by a fantastic evening of conversation between Donald Richie and Tom Luddy, hosted by Berkeley Arts & Letters. FORA.tv has put the whole thing online, including the introduction by SBP publisher, Peter Goodman. Topics include Ozu's tombstone, Kurosawa, Hirokazu Kore-Eda, China vs. Japan, and much more!