The explanation here covers the 4th Adopt-a-Film Project, started in early summer 2007, and not all this information applies to the Adopt-a-Film Projects prior to it.
What is FPS’ Adopt-a-Film Project?
In prewar Japan, digest versions of feature films were sold on small gauges (16mm, 9.5mm) for family use. Young film detectives are trying their best to search for those which might still remain in someone’s household or in the country.
This project asks for the donor(s) to cover all the costs incurred in the film’s restoration, and credits the individual donor(s) or institutional name(s) at the top of the restored print. To avoid the costs getting too high, we choose short films in the public domain. The cost is supposed to be about JPY500,000 but it drastically varies depending on the format, length, state of deterioration, laboratory and techniques used.
FPS and the donor(s) sign a Letter of Agreement. The design and contents of the additional top credit are discussed in advance but are ultimately decided by FPS. The answer print screening may involve a third person with experience at a film lab, to ask for the print evaluation. The rights of the restored print belong to FPS, and FPS decides where the print is going to be stored in the long-term.
FPS members are learning the whole process of how to discover, research, repair, restore, screen and preserve films through the Adopt-a-Film Project. As there is no school where you can learn film preservation in Japan, this is a precious chance to answer questions such as how much it costs, what a lab can and cannot do, what the theater needs to show silent films and what the most effective way is to promote film preservation to the public.
So far, FPS members who just joined FPS with a strong feeling that they want to do something are actually gaining knowledge and experience by taking part in the Adopt-a-Film Project. We appreciate your support and cooperation.
Films restored by Adopt-a-Film Project so far
#1 (2005)
Modern Horror 100,000,000 Yen [Shochiku Graph] (Modan kaidan 100,000,000 en [Shochiku Gurafu]) 1929/Shochiku Kamata/ sil., bw, 15munutes (16fps) Dir.: Torajiro Saito Donors: hree sons of the director Saito Lab: Ikueisya
#2 (2006)
Queen on the Shore [Shochiku Graph] aka Quenn on the Beach (Kaihin no joo [Shochiku Gurafu]) 1927/Shochiku Kamata/ sil., bw, 15munutes (16fps) Dir.: Kiyohiko Ushihara Donor: Kamakura Arts Foundation Lab: Choichi Imada, Faculity of Cinema, Dept of Art, Nihon University
#3 (2006)
Student Chronicles: Showa Era [Makino Graph] (Gakusei sandaiki, showa jidai [Makino grafu]) 1930/Makino Productions/ sil., bw, 15munutes (16fps) Donors: National Film Center, Tokyo and Ritsumeikan Art Research Center Makino Project Lab: IMAGICA
#4 (2007)
Saizo Kirigakure [Pathe-Baby version] (Kirigakure Saizo [pate bebi ban]) Unknown/ sil., bw, 3munutes (16fps) Donor: Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul (CHIFFS) Lab: IMAGICA West, Tokyo Koon