You are here:
That's Roman Porno: Smile of Goddesses

That's Roman Porno: Smile of Goddesses

1988

Director

Takashi Kodama

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A documentary compilation that shows various clips from the Roman Porno series of movies from 1971 to 1988.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.4/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The documentary compiles archival footage from the Roman Porno series. While the genre often explored non-normative sexuality, the film functions as a historical survey rather than an intentional queer narrative.

Gender Representation

Good

The film centers on female protagonists and the 'goddesses' of the Nikkatsu era. These portrayals often subverted traditional patriarchal hierarchies through a focus on female agency and presence.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The retrospective focuses almost exclusively on domestic Japanese cinematic movements. There is no evidence of significant racial intersectionality or diverse casting beyond the standard demographics of the era.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

By documenting a genre that operated on the fringes of mainstream morality, the film critiques conservative social constraints. It explores human desire outside of rigid, traditional structures.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no discernible evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within this compilation.

Strengths

  • Centers female agency and presence through the 'goddess' archetype.
  • Challenges traditional patriarchal hierarchies found in mainstream studio dramas.
  • Explores human desire and sexuality outside of rigid social structures.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks significant racial or ethnic intersectionality within the Japanese context.
  • The archival format prevents a cohesive, intentional narrative of empowerment.
  • Provides no discernible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

AI Analysis

This documentary serves as a retrospective lens on the Nikkatsu 'Roman Porno' era, utilizing archival clips to survey a specific period of Japanese cinema. Its strength lies in its subject matter, which inherently challenges mainstream social expectations and traditional gender hierarchies. However, the film's impact is limited by its archival format. Because it is a compilation of clips rather than a cohesive narrative, it lacks a singular, intentional drive toward intersectional empowerment or specific social advocacy. Ultimately, the work functions more as a historical record of a genre that embraced moral relativism than as a modern study of diverse identities.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.