The First Emperor

About This Movie

The First Emperor is an intriguing piece, a documentary that remains unfinished yet captures a unique vision from Hara Masato. Shot on 16mm, there’s a raw, intimate feel to the visuals that often feels like you’re peering into a lost world of ancient Japan as described in the Kojiki. The pacing can be a bit disjointed, reflecting the film's incomplete status, which oddly adds to its charm. It’s not polished, but that’s part of what makes it distinctive. You get glimpses of practical effects and performances that are earnest, almost ethereal in their aspiration to represent deep-rooted history and myth. The film sits in a fascinating niche for collectors, a reminder of what could have been.

The First Emperor is a rarity in collector circles, primarily due to its unfinished nature and the limited releases it has seen over the years. Originally intended as a 16mm film, it now exists in various formats that are scarce, making it a point of interest for those who appreciate the historical context of Japanese cinema. There's a certain allure in its incompleteness, drawing in collectors who seek to understand the evolution of documentary filmmaking during that period.