「文芸復興」としての「文芸映画」――1930年代日本における「文芸映画」ブームに関する再考察

抄録

The purpose of this paper is to cast new light on the so-called “bungei eiga” (literature film) boom and the critical discourses on the boom in 1930s. This boom has been understood in terms of the introduction of sound film, but such an understanding simplifies the matter too much. The boom can be better understood if we take into account the historical context of Japanese literature at the time. The “bungei fukkou” (revival of literature) movement of the time tried to revive “junbungaku” (pure literature) by creating more accessible works with a high standard. The film industry apparently tried to raise the status of films and attract new audiences by adapting such works, which resulted in the “bungei eiga” boom. The critical discourses on the films classified as “bungei eiga” can be seen in a new light by keeping such literary and industrial contexts in mind. Even the critics who criticized individual films seemed to accept that the original writings classified as “junbungaku” were valuable; the films were blamed because they failed to capture the value of the original works. This framework of criticism presupposed that movies could become valuable by adapting valuable literature, and this presupposition was in accordance with the purpose of the “bungei fukkou” movement and the intentions of the film industry.