Key details
Dr Jonathan Wroot
Senior Lecturer in Film Studies
After pursuing film studies at BA and MA level, Jonathan went on to complete his PhD at the University of East Anglia. His thesis focused on the distribution and marketing of Japanese cinema in the UK, mainly by way of DVD releases. DVDs and Blu-rays are currently the most widely used format by distributors to bring Japanese and Asian cinema to the UK, as well as films from other parts of the world. Following other studies of Japanese film, which are often text-focused, Jonathan has instead brought an industry-focused approach to his interests in Japanese and international cinema.
Distribution and marketing are often overlooked within media and film research, though interest in this topic is growing. Through his research, Jonathan has gained insight into the practices of several UK-based distributors, such as Third Window Films, Terracotta, Arrow, Eureka, Manga Entertainment, and All The Anime.
Jonathan has integrated this knowledge into his teaching in order to demonstrate to students a wide range of possibilities available for research and professional practice – within a wide range of media industries.
Jonathan is continuing to publish research that pursues these interests in relation to Asian and international cinema. His research has also highlighted the unexplored story of the Zatoichi film franchise, concerning a blind swordsman. The character's long history and global impact will be the subject of a forthcoming monograph.