The Pornographers (1966): cast, story & where to watch
1966 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1966, The Pornographers is a comedy, drama and romance film directed by Shōhei Imamura, running about 128 minutes.
What it’s about. Subu makes pornographic films. He sees nothing wrong with it. They are an aid to a repressed society, and he uses the money to support his landlady, Haru, and her family. From time to time, Haru shares her bed with Subu, though she believes her dead husband, reincarnated as a carp, disapproves. Director Shohei Imamura has always delighted in the kinky exploits of lowlifes, and in this 1966 classic, he finds subversive humor in the bizarre dynamics of Haru, her Oedipal son, and her daughter, the true object of her pornographer-boyfriend’s obsession. Imamura’s comic treatment of such taboos as voyeurism and incest sparked controversy when the film was released, but The Pornographers has outlasted its critics, and now seems frankly ahead of its time.
Who’s in it. The Pornographers stars Shoichi Ozawa as Yoshimoto 'Subu' Ogata, Sumiko Sakamoto as Haru Masuda, Masaomi Kondo as Koichi and Keiko Sagawa as Keiko, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, The Pornographers has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Pornographers page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Pornographers tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Pornographers (1966)?
- In US, The Pornographers is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Pornographers worth watching?
- The Pornographers holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and romance. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Pornographers?
- The Pornographers stars Shoichi Ozawa, Sumiko Sakamoto, Masaomi Kondo, Keiko Sagawa and Ganjirô Nakamura I.
- When was The Pornographers released?
- The Pornographers was released in 1966, with a runtime of about 128 minutes.