Japan - Die Monsterinsel

The updated and expanded new edition of Jörg Buttgereit's unauthorized guide to Japanese monster films. Earthquakes, typhoons, atomic bomb explosions, and reactor disasters: Japan has always been a victim of tremendous destruction, whether caused by humans or nature. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the cultural sublimation of these events—the popular and enduring genre of 'Kaiju Eiga'—originates from Japan. However, Godzilla, Gamera, and others are much more than mere metaphors for apocalypse. They serve as identification figures for children, objects of passionate collecting, stress relievers, symbols of strength, and a barometer of political moods. Jörg Buttgereit visited film studios in Japan and interviewed monster actors, directors, and special effects wizards about their personal relationships with the monsters. All Japanese monster films released in Germany, along with the American reboots, are presented in detail in this book—additionally, films that were only shown in Japan but are important to the genre are included. Contributing guest authors include: Ulrich von Berg, Peter Clasen, Harald Häfker, Stefan Höltgen, Christian Kessler, Claus Löser, Daktari Lorenz, Julie Miess, Lothar Mikos, Olaf Möller, Wolfgang Müller, Andreas Rauscher, Franz Rodenkirchen, Hans Schifferle, Simone Spörl, Dr. Marcus Stiglegger, Ingo Strecker, Bodo Traber, and Jenni Zylka. With illustrations by Rainer F. Engel and FuFu Frauenwahl.