Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Mishima Film Ends 40-Year Ban at Tokyo Festival

11/8/2025

41 9

Summary

Story summary

Last week, a sold-out screening of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters at the Tokyo International Film Festival ended its decades-long cultural exile in Japan.
Director Paul Schrader wore a knife-proof vest while filming Mishima in Tokyo in 1984.
The production faced backlash from Japan's ultranationalist right over dramatizing Yukio Mishima.
The film won an award at Cannes in 1985.
It was barred from official release in Japan for decades.

1 of 1

Story summary

Last week, a sold-out screening of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters at the Tokyo International Film Festival ended its decades-long cultural exile in Japan.
Director Paul Schrader wore a knife-proof vest while filming Mishima in Tokyo in 1984.
The production faced backlash from Japan's ultranationalist right over dramatizing Yukio Mishima.
The film won an award at Cannes in 1985.
It was barred from official release in Japan for decades.