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'Tokyo Stories': An interview with the director, David Bickerstaff

Following Ashmolean Museum Oxford’s successful 2021 TOKYO exhibition comes the stunning new film, TOKYO STORIES. Coming to UK cinemas on 23 May 2023, TOKYO STORIES takes audiences on a mesmerising tour of the Japanese capital via the incredibly diverse art it has produced over the last four centuries and the extraordinary artists behind it. To get ready for the hype, we’ve not only teamed up with Exhibition on Screen for an exciting Instagram giveaway where one lucky person will win a free pair of tickets to see the film at a cinema of their choosing as well as a bag of Ashmolean TOKYO exhibition goodies; we also spoke to David Bickerstaff – the creative mind behind the film itself! – about his work, inspirations and Japan travels. 


A crew member filming photographs featured in the 2021 TOKYO Exhibition at Ashmolean Museum, Oxford © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. To start off, please tell us a bit about yourself. 
I am an independent artist, film maker and creative director of media for narrative spaces. I was born in Australia but moved to the UK in 1989 where I now live and work. 

Behind the scenes of TOKYO STORIES © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

How did you get into filmmaking and, more specifically, filmmaking about art?
I started my artistic life as a fine art painter and actor, moved into graphic design which introduced me to the computer. I then became a producer of digital art in the 90’s and devised new media experiences for museums and heritage sites. I had known Phil Grabsky and Amanda Wilkie from Seventh Art Productions, for a long time and we often talked about collaborating on arts projects. They then invited me to co-direct a couple of projects like 'Heavy Water: A Film for Chernobyl' and 'Making War Horse' which had broadcast releases. Phil then asked me to join the team at Exhibition on Screen to direct several of their innovative arts documentaries of which 'Tokyo Stories' is the latest.


Installation of Japanese samurai armour at the TOKYO Exhibition © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

Your latest film, ‘Tokyo Stories’, is due to be released in UK cinemas on the 23rd May. If you had to, how would you describe it in one or two sentences?
'Tokyo Stories' is a vibrant and fresh look at one of the world’s greatest cities as seen through the eyes of a series of unique and talented artists that span Tokyo’s 400 years of existence. From early Samurai objects to the photography of contemporary artists like Moriyama Daido and Ninagawa Mika, this film takes you on colourful and engaging journey through Tokyo’s creative soul.

The nooks and crannies of Tokyo city © David Bickerstaff

What was your personal relationship with Japan like before, and how has it changed after making this film? 
Japan has always been a source of fascination for me though my knowledge was defined by how it was mediated in film, literature and popular culture. I grew up with Osamu Tezuka’s manga like Kimba the White Lion and Astro Boy which was my favourite programme as a child. Growing up in Australia, Japan was always talked about in the news and its post war industrial growth was the envy of the world. I was a bit like someone who engaged with Japanese culture though magazines and travel documentaries but had never travelled there. I was so excited when the opportunity was presented to make a film about Vincent Van Gogh and his relationship with Japan. This meant travelling to Japan for the first time, exploring its rich culture with experts, exploring various cities and filming its magnificent landscape. I have returned three times now and the experience has been so different every time.

A ukiyo-e woodblock painting of a kabuki performer at TOKYO Exhibition © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

Exploring 400 years of Tokyo’s incredibly dynamic art scene and compressing it into a single sitting is no easy feat, especially with so many different and exciting genres! How did you go about accomplishing this?
The films we make at Exhibition on Screen are mostly based around landmark exhibitions and 'Tokyo Stories' was based on a sensational exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum called 'Tokyo: Art and Photography'. The curators were very clear with their narrative and had selected important examples of Japanese art and a range of artists, historic and contemporary, that best supported the story they wanted to tell.

TOKYO STORIES features many Japanese contemporary artists, including Keiichi Tanaami, one of the leding pop artists of postwar Japan © David Bickerstaff

This is a great help for us in formulating our own script and devising the narrative flow for our own story. We always start with the exhibition catalogue and plan the key interviews that will deliver an engaging and informative experience over 90 minutes. Through the process of interviewing and our own research, the plot develops and the works we need to film become more identifiable.

Ellie and Ryuta Ushiro from Chim↑Pom, an artist collective formed in Tokyo in 2005 © David Bickerstaff

Was there a particular genre or time-period of Japanese art that struck you most? What was it you learnt about it that made such a deep impression?
Before this project, I was not so aware of the post war ANPO movement where there were protests and riots against the occupation of America in Japan. The rise of reactionary photography and performance during this period was fascinating to me. I love the Vivo group of photographers and feel very privileged to have interviewed Moriyama Daido for our film who really encapsulated that spirit of freedom, experimentation and passion for their craft. I also enjoyed finding out more about the artist collectives in Tokyo like Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group who are very individual in their approach to art, innovative and willing to push the boundaries of what art is. 

The famously colourful and loud Robot Restaurant in Kabukicho, Tokyo © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

Where does the TOKYO exhibition, which took place at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford in 2021, come into this film? What was it like working with the museum?  
The whole film centres around the exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum who have a very good collection of Japanese art. We journey seamlessly from the exhibition spaces to the streets of Tokyo and back again which adds a visual richness and narrative context. I made a previous film with the museum about Pissarro and they are one of the most generous museums we have every worked with. So helpful and keen to give us the best access possible and to facilitate our filming which is invaluable. 

Filming a Japanese 'byobu' folding screen at Ashmolean Museum © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

‘Tokyo Stories’ was largely filmed in the Japanese capital, but did you also travel to any other regions of Japan? Do you have any recommendations?
For 'Tokyo Stories' we stay in the confines of the city but for my previous film, 'Van Gogh and Japan', we travelled from Kyoto to Osaka, Tokyo and Kawasaki and also filmed the landscape around Mount Fuji. I loved Kyoto for its authenticity and ancient culture. The ramen was delicious!

A atmospheric backstreet in downtown Tokyo © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

What is at the top of your list of things-to -do when you’re next in Japan?
I would love to explore the north of Japan if given another opportunity. Hokkaido looks amazing and I am interest in finding out more about indigenous traditions and the people who live there. 

The iconic view of Mount Fuji with Chureito Pagoda © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff

Lastly, are there any future projects that you would like to let our readers know about? 

Exhibition on Screen has an exciting programme coming up later this year and 'Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition', which invites audiences to a private view of the historic show at the Rijksmuseum, is currently in cinemas nationwide. 
Thank you for talking with us!

TOKYO STORIES is based on the successful TOKYO Exhibition that was held at Ashmolean Museum, Oxford  in 2021 © EXHIBITION ON SCREEN David Bickerstaff


TOKYO STORIES is released in UK cinemas from 23rd May. Check your local cinema for details or find a screening here

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