Filmmaker Martin goes from 4C’s to Japan
by Tribekah Jordan
Former 4C’s student Steven J. Martin has gone from studying films to making them – in Japan.
And now students are watching his films in class.
Martin recently appeared via Zoom at the 4C’s International Cinema class for a screening of his film “Anonymous Gods.” Speaking from Tokyo, he introduced the film and then, after its screening, took questions from the students in attendance.
The former Cape Cod resident has alternated between living in the United States and Japan for over 20 years. During that time, Martin attended 4C’s in 2005 and 2006 and would later graduate from UMass. After receiving his degree, he pursued an occupation in teaching and taught at Cape Cod Academy and Sturgis Public Charter School. In 2016, Martin moved to Tokyo Japan to be with his wife, and his film career followed shortly after. His career in filmmaking derived from “a mid-life crisis,” he jokingly shared with the class over Zoom.
The filming of “Anonymous Gods” took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to Martin’s choice to use four actors in the film, all women playing lesbians.
The decision to use only women in his films was an intentional choice that is seen throughout his collection of work.
“The men in Japan truly control every aspect of life, and it started to dawn on me that men are spoiled, and when I looked into women there was more of a struggle ... especially with the LGBTQ being marginalized,” he says.
From his own experience he understood what it felt like to be marginalized. As a tourist of a different ethnicity, he dealt with rejection that allowed him to consider how he could “have a voice in a society that doesn’t want to listen.”
These feelings translate through his characters. The plot follows two lesbian couples who face Japan’s societal expectations and their own personal struggles. Each character can relate to a theme they are conflicted with, such as suicidal ideation, partnership, parental roles, and success. They navigate their emotions throughout the film, which Martin acknowledged by advising his audience, “It’s not an easy film; I hope you find something in it.”
The LGBTQ community in Japan presented the film as part of its case for legalizing gay marriage, Martin said.
He said the film also has received negative criticism.
“The beautiful thing about making movies when nobody knows who you are is you can do whatever the F you want.”
Martin is now working on his seventh film in Japan and has finished filming a series of short films shot in Provincetown which he hopes will be released in November 2023.
Nona Akuzawa appears in Steven J. Martin's “Anonymous Gods.” (Must See Pictures)
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