Mark Schilling: 30 years as a Japanese film critic

Mark Schilling is one of the world's leading writer in Japanese film. He’s been reviewing Japanese films for The Japan Times since 1989 and has reported on Japanese film since 1990, first for Screen International and currently for Variety. Schilling also serves as an adviser to the yearly Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy. He's been on juries for international film festivals, interviewed countless Japanese film icons, recorded numerous DVD commentaries and worked as a script adviser on 2003's “The Last Samurai.” 

Over the years, Mark has written, contributed to and translated several books. Some of his original works include Contemporary Japanese Film, The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films, No Borders, No Limits: Nikkatsu Action Cinema and more recently Art, Cult and Commerce: Japanese Cinema Since 2000. 

In today’s episode, Mark discusses what’s kept him passionate about Japan and Japanese film all these years. He also gives some advice for aspiring writers and film buffs as well as shares some personal stories of meeting some Japanese cinema legends. 

Connect with Mark on Twitter @moviefan55 

This episode was recorded in 2021 when COVID19 was affecting drastic lifestyle changes and work.