Mark Player

Scholar and researcher. East Asian cinema (mainly Japan), 8mm film, (cyber)punk and DIY media.
Book: JAPANESE CINEMA AND PUNK - out now

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

Big news.

My first book, JAPANESE CINEMA AND PUNK, is out next month, published by @BloomsburyAcad.

https://t.co/zvw4njqyuK

[The Film Stage 📽 @TheFilmStage]

A new trailer for 4K restorations of Gakuryu Ishii’s 'Shuffle' and 'The Master of Shiatsu,' world-premiering @js_film_nyc this Saturday.

Read more on the shorts and Japan Cuts' 2026 lineup: https://t.co/nBN4VXCO0A

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

According to legend, because subtitles couldn't be added to the 8mm film print, Rayns stepped in and narrated the story as the film played, like the benshi narrators of Japanese silent cinema.

Rest in peace.

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

Sad to hear about the passing of Tony Rayns.

I never got the opportunity to meet him in person, so I thought I'd expand on something I posted related to him almost a decade ago:

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

Still from obscure Shunichi Nagasaki short film made in the UK entitled London Calling (ロンドン・コーリング, 1985), featuring a young Tony Rayns.

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

Nagasaki shot this film while attending the 1984 London Film Festival. His 8mm feature Heart, Beating in the Dark (1982) was screening there on Rayns's recommendation, as was the case for many Japanese films at UK film festivals in the 1980s.

[Eureka Entertainment @Eurekavideo]

Everyone at Eureka is very sad to hear the news that our long-time collaborator and friend Tony Rayns has passed away.

Tony made such an incredible contribution to film criticism and scholarship, and so many of our own releases were enriched by his presence. We’ll miss him.

[Third Window Films @thirdwindow]

Very sad to hear of the passing of the legendary film critic Tony Rayns.
Was literally speaking to him just last month for some writing on an upcoming release of mine.
One of the big reasons why so much great Asian cinema has made it to audiences overseas.
He will be missed.

[石井岳龍(ex.聰亙）映画監督「箱 男」「水の中の八月」他 @GakuryuIshii]

“Shuffle “& “The Master of Shiatsu” World 4K Premiere
Saturday, July 11, 2026
5:30 pm
JAPAN SOCIETY
333 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017
Phone: [phone]

[Radiance Films @FilmsRadiance]

We're excited to confirm our new master of Takashi Miike's VISITOR Q will be shown at this year's @edfilmfest ahead of its physical media release!

A seminal work in the Asian Extreme movement, we're delighted to showcase this black comedy-horror 25 years after its release.

[Third Window Films @thirdwindow]

Sound on for the STREET SLIDERS!
This legendary Japanese rock band got their big break with music for Chusei Sone’s 1983 film BLOW THE NIGHT! #夜をぶっとばせ
It gets its first ever release outside of Japan on July 27 from #thirdwindowfilms
https://t.co/WwX9lOLAmm

[Janus Films @janusfilms]

Official trailer for Kiyoshi Kurosawa's critically-acclaimed samurai thriller THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER

Coming exclusively to theaters July 31

[pingudaisuki @sinichimiyakawa]

本日6/20(土)より、イメージフォーラム3階にて「実験映画アーカイブと21世紀の日本実験映画 Vol.1」の特集上映が始まります。
どのプログラムも間違いないと思いますが、個人的には『夏に生まれる』『でかいメガネ』『男のサービスエリア』『日日日常』『水準原点』『TOKIO HOUSE』等がオススメかと！

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

Some photos from my recent participation in the Reciprocal programme at the Asian Film Archive in Singapore. Many thanks to AFA and the Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive for hosting me. Pics by @hsinhsieh

[Yanasa Creative Group @YanasaCreative]

A 13-minute short where a massage makes an entire city start to breathe

starring the actual founder of modern shiatsu Tokujiro Namikoshi !!!

MASTER OF SHIATSU (1989) : Gakuryu Ishii - World 4k Premiere — july 11 — @js_film_nyc

[Japan Society Film @js_film_nyc]

The inaugural work of Gakuryu (ex-Sogo) Ishii’s spiritual phase, preceding AUGUST IN THE WATER, THE MASTER OF SHIATSU initiates a transformative uncoupling from reality as a shiatsu session imparts astral properties to a young woman.

4K Premiere on 7/11: https://t.co/Bxylo5MjHU

[Third Window Films @thirdwindow]

Macoto Tezuka's crazy musical The Legend of the Stardust Brothers is playing Saturday June 20th in London @thenickelcinema!
https://t.co/VlF9HccjvP

[William Andrews @TokyoStages]

It gives me great pleasure to share the release of my decade-in-the-writing critical biography of filmmaker/activist Adachi Masao. Pink Auteur, Red Outlaw: Adachi Masao and Japan’s Cinema of Revolution is out September 1 via @Awai_Books. https://t.co/1mW3uNRQEU

[Dustin @thatkaijukidd]

It’s happening!

Thank you @YanasaCreative // @cogitoworks

[Mark Player @markdplayer]

This year's Japan Cuts in New York are premiering new 4K restorations of Gakuryu/Sogo Ishii's short films Shuffle (1981) and Master of Shiatsu (1989). Screening on 11 July.
https://t.co/DpKM5JCLll

[山本淳一(ヘヒヲ) @hehiwo1]

え！こんな立派なBlu-rayが発売されるの！？知らなかった😂

特典のMeatball Dreamsが気になります🤔