“Self-revolutions of everyday life”: the politics of ATG

2021/07/03 by Julia Alekseyeva · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Cinema and Media Studies #Cultural Industries and Urban Development #Japanese History and Culture

paper · doi:10.1080/17541328.2021.1996793

openalex publication_date 2021/07/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06

Abstract

In 1968, Japan’s own “season of politics” was full of strikes, protests, and university closures. Much of the exigence behind students’ revolutionary fervor revolved around a “self-revolution in everydayness,” as activists sought to criticize capitalist consumerism and imperialism, and aimed to transform their own depoliticized consciousness. The films of the Art Theater Guild (ATG) reflect these desires. This paper argues that the films produced by ATG are a deeply political film cycle united by a “house style” which serves to destabilize and dehabituate our perception, and echoes the student protesters in their desire for a self-revolution of everyday life.

Cited by

• Art Theatre Guild [wikipedia]

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