In Memory of Yano Kazuyuki (1947–2024)
Yano Kazuyuki, a key figure in the growth of the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival from its inception, as head of the Tokyo office, passed away on August 11, 2024. Through his film distribution company Cinematrix (Sojinsha), he brought acclaimed, previously unreleased films by renowned directors—in particular from African and Southeast Asia— to Japanese audiences. Adored by many filmmakers around the world, we honor Yano-san’s memory.
Screening
Why Is Yellow Middle of Rainbow? (I Am Furious Yellow)
- THE PHILIPPINES / 1994 / English, Tagalog / Color / 16mm / 175 min
Director, Script, Producer: Kidlat Tahimik
Photography: Kidlat Tahimik, Roberto Yniguez, Roberto Villanueva, Trinh T. Minh-ha, Kublai Abiad, Roy Jackson, Regina Tuazon, Kidlat Gottlieb
Editing: Kidlat Tahimik, Karl Fugunt, Maureen Gosling
Sound: Ed de Guia
Mixing: Buddy Mendoza
Music: Boy Garrovillo, Shant Verdun
Narration: Kidlat Gottlieb
Source: Cinematrix
Sparked by a family conversation asking why the middle of the rainbow is yellow, this epic home movie spans 13 years from 1981, following the growth of the filmmaker’s three sons while interweaving their lives with the history and culture of the Philippines. Moving freely among the bands of the seven colors of the rainbow, the film drifts through “angry yellow,” “curious pink,” “colonial red, white, and black,” “discordant Disney colors,” “bleak gray,” and “the brown of the indigenous Indios,” in sync with the director’s gaze, immersed in an endless world. Re-edited and augmented with new segments for each YIDFF screening in 1989, 1991, and 1993, it continued to expand and intensify—a film in constant evolution. After its completion, it was distributed to Japanese cinemas by Cinematrix and Pandora.
Kidlat Tahimik
Born in 1942 in Baguio City, the Philippines. After studying business management in the US, in 1972 he tore up his diploma and became an artist. He has worked continuously as a unique independent filmmaker since his debut with Perfumed Nightmare (1977). Tahimik has frequently visited Japan since being invited for the Japan Foundation’s “A Panorama of South Asian Films” in 1982, and participated in four consecutive editions of YIDFF, from the first edition in 1989, to 1995—screening various versions of Why Is Yellow Middle of Rainbow? (I Am Furious Yellow) and presenting performances and installations. He was a juror for the YIDFF International Competition in 2007. He resides in Baguio, where he holds workshops with indigenous people, and most recently completed a project about the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, Balikbayan #1 (2017).
Kawayan De Guia
A letter to mr Yano
(Pencil on paper, 12 × 16 inch, 2024)
Exhibition
- Yano Kazuyuki Memorial Room
Photos, notebooks, videos, posters of Cinematrix films, and more.
Dates: Oct 10 (Fri) –13(Mon)
Venue: Former Yoshiike Clinic Upper Floor
Event
- Good-bye Yano-san
Come and have a drink to watch videos of Yano-san on the big screen, with his friends.
Date: Oct 11 (Sat) 19:00–21:00
Venue: BOTA Theater
Admission: 1,000 yen (with one drink and booklet)
Organizer: His friends
Mabuhay! Banzai!
Yano-San and Ogawa-San
—our YIDFF Founding Spirits in the Heavens
Dear Brother Yano Kazuyuki . . . When you invited my film Why is Yellow Middle of Rainbow as the opening film of the first-ever Yamagata Eiga Sai in 1989, I was surprised. “Huh? My sloppy storytelling . . . my non-BBC style . . . my meandering autobiography—you consider a docufilm?”
You assured me: “YIDFF wants to redefine DOCUFILM. We focus on rejuvenating our storytelling neighbors in Asia.” We Asian directors attending YIDFF 1, were galvanized into issuing the Yamagata Asian Documentary Manifesto! It was you, Yano-san and Ogawa Shinsuke as our super-catalyzers. When a dozen Asian eiga-kanto-ku directors jumped into the hot onsen of Mount Zao—we sealed that declaration!
Would you believe, that was 36 years ago?
Ogawa’s unmatchable super-passion—not only for documenting his rice-farmers’ culture—but his deep concern to encourage his fellow Asian eiga-kanto-ku—to plant, like the rice farmers of Yamagata the seedlings for future regional docus. Today, the fertile farmlands you opened up in YIDFF 1989, will continue to have bountiful harvests.
During your visit in Baguio in 1988, you advised me: “Kidlat-san, just close this version of your never-ending Yellow film. Then, Japanese audiences can enjoy your harvest.” Thanks for reminding me that eiga-kantoku directors have a responsibility to feed their hungry audiences. Thank you for putting the Rainbow Kid’s Album film on the menu of Yamagata Eiga Sai.
Yes it was 1989! You were the midwives giving birth to YIDFF!!! Kazuyuki and Shinsuke were the funny pair. Two complimentary energies—the quiet chain-smoking Yanosan, and the boisterous, Narita-activist Ogawa-san! Like that Laurel-and-Hardy comedy team—cranking up a 1920 Ford motor! That’s my memory: Mister Thin and Mister Fat— the unstoppable team who got Asia’s premier docu festival on the road. 3 1/2 decades ago!
ARIGATO! for your lifelong support of Asian-Spaghetti storytelling! Although our 16mm Bolex cameras are now dinosaurs, that vision that you Ogawa Shinsuke and Yano Kazuyuki materialized in 1989— is now a solid bedrock for future documentary making. Your good Karma, your Legacy: Yamagata Eiga- Sai attracts the best documenters, not only from Asia, but throughout the planet. Banzai! YIDFF Founding Spirits! Mabuhay!