Yasuharu Hasebe (長谷部安春, Hasebe Yasuharu, April 4, 1932-June
14, 2009) was a Japanese film director best known for his movies in
the "Violent pink" subgenre of the Pink film, such as Assault! Jack
the Ripper (1976), Rape! (1976), Rape! 13th Hour (1977) and Raping!
(1978). Earlier genre films directed by Hasebe include Black Tight
Killers (1966) and the Alleycat Rock series (1970).Hasebe recalled a
trusting relationship with his father, whom he considered the biggest
influence on his life. In the post-war years, Hasebe was influenced
strongly by American and French films, particularly American "B"
movies, and the films of John Huston and Samuel Fuller. After studying
French literature at Waseda University, he began working at Nikkatsu
studios in 1958. For eight years he worked as an assistant director,
including a lengthy apprenticeship under Seijun Suzuki. He was given
his first chance to direct in 1966 with Black Tight Killers. He
directed more action genre films in the 1960s including the fourth
film in the Singing Gunman series, starring Akira Kobayashi, and
Massacre Gun with Jo Shishido.In 1970, Nikkatsu wanted to create a
youth-oriented series and chose Hasebe to supervise the first film in
what would be the popular Alleycat Rock series. The studio gave him
considerable freedom in the direction of the first film, Alleycat
Rock: Female Boss (1970), and, under the pseudonym "Takashi Fujii",
Hasebe co-wrote the story as well. Meiko Kaji was the supporting
actress in the first entry in the series, but became the star of the
remaining films. Though mainly known for his later "violent pink"
films, some call this series Hasebe's best work, "ultra-chic, yet
surprisingly grim."The Alleycat Rock series came to an end when Kaji
left Nikkatsu to join Toei studios and star in the Female Prisoner:
Scorpion series and Lady Snowblood (1973). Hasebe also left Nikkatsu
in late 1971, when the studio decided to compete with the Pink film
genre, and produce almost nothing but softcore pornographic films
which Nikkatsu labeled "Roman Porno". Hasebe later commented, "to be
honest, I am not good at making sex films."
14, 2009) was a Japanese film director best known for his movies in
the "Violent pink" subgenre of the Pink film, such as Assault! Jack
the Ripper (1976), Rape! (1976), Rape! 13th Hour (1977) and Raping!
(1978). Earlier genre films directed by Hasebe include Black Tight
Killers (1966) and the Alleycat Rock series (1970).Hasebe recalled a
trusting relationship with his father, whom he considered the biggest
influence on his life. In the post-war years, Hasebe was influenced
strongly by American and French films, particularly American "B"
movies, and the films of John Huston and Samuel Fuller. After studying
French literature at Waseda University, he began working at Nikkatsu
studios in 1958. For eight years he worked as an assistant director,
including a lengthy apprenticeship under Seijun Suzuki. He was given
his first chance to direct in 1966 with Black Tight Killers. He
directed more action genre films in the 1960s including the fourth
film in the Singing Gunman series, starring Akira Kobayashi, and
Massacre Gun with Jo Shishido.In 1970, Nikkatsu wanted to create a
youth-oriented series and chose Hasebe to supervise the first film in
what would be the popular Alleycat Rock series. The studio gave him
considerable freedom in the direction of the first film, Alleycat
Rock: Female Boss (1970), and, under the pseudonym "Takashi Fujii",
Hasebe co-wrote the story as well. Meiko Kaji was the supporting
actress in the first entry in the series, but became the star of the
remaining films. Though mainly known for his later "violent pink"
films, some call this series Hasebe's best work, "ultra-chic, yet
surprisingly grim."The Alleycat Rock series came to an end when Kaji
left Nikkatsu to join Toei studios and star in the Female Prisoner:
Scorpion series and Lady Snowblood (1973). Hasebe also left Nikkatsu
in late 1971, when the studio decided to compete with the Pink film
genre, and produce almost nothing but softcore pornographic films
which Nikkatsu labeled "Roman Porno". Hasebe later commented, "to be
honest, I am not good at making sex films."
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