Exotic Dreams: Unearthing the Artistry of Japanese Movie Posters
Dave Milligan and Nudd showing off some holy grails from their collection.
What is Exotic Originals? When did you start this company?
Dave Milligan: It's the poster store that I wished existed but didn't. The store I'd want to buy from. It started during COVID, when I was in a fairly desperate situation; I was very unwell and had absolutely zero income due to the only business I'd ever known being totally usurped. Since 2005, I was a live music events promoter/booker for venues and festivals/artist agent with over 1200+ shows in Asia under my belt. I’ve worked with the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Skrillex, Diplo/Major Lazer, Roy Ayers, De La Soul, etc.
As a poster collector, I'd always wanted to do a project like this and this seemed like the right time - no sooner had I started on a very small scale that I received a windfall from both some music I had released many years before (I was a one-hit wonder, haha!) and some crypto I'd totally forgotten about zipping up, so I just absolutely went for it. I was growing somewhat tired of working in music... electronic music really blew up in Asia in the few years leading up to COVID, and it attracted some of the worst people I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with...
Fortunately - this venture has done pretty well. Even after three years we're still very young for such a company, because acquiring the kind of stock you need to get where you want is a big job. You have to have the selection, and the rare and obscure pieces that no one else does.
The Terminator (1984) Japanese Theatrical Release Poster
What was the first memory of a poster that stood out to you? Which one is seared into your mind?
A horizontal Noriyoshi Ohrai Star Wars piece that appeared in either a UK film or video game magazine in the early 90’s. I’d already experienced Akira and other early Manga (prolific UK distributor of big anime films on VHS) releases such as Vampire Hunter D, Doomed Megalopolis and Wicked City. I was Japan-obsessed before I was a teenager. The real root of the Japan obsession was video games, which is another lifelong obsession. I'd purchase the Japanese versions of certain Nintendo games - ones which were text-light - purely for their box and cartridge sticker art. I remember the box art for Capcom's Final Fight standing out as something really special for me... I think it was my most prized possession at one point.
What sets Exotic Originals apart from its competitors?
Like a really bloody good VHS shop from back in the day, you just have the best of absolutely everything and constantly be surprising people with interesting new bits. This is partly why we do not - as a very strict rule - give our entire inventory out; but if you ask for something specific and we have it - we will show you.
There's a quote I heard years ago that I liked and that was “be the only.” I don't believe there is anyone else who does what we do. Sure, other stores, dealers, and galleries sell Japanese cinema posters, but I don't think any of them have the extremely broad range of knowledge with both film in general and also an encyclopedic knowledge about Japanese posters.
There’s just so much to know with posters from one country, that you have to be aware of variants/fakes and how to spot them (also the same with commercial reprints); there is an enormous amount of due diligence to be done on every single piece. We also research our prices thoroughly, and if we cannot beat other western dealers prices significantly (not difficult!), we won't usually stock it. Everything vintage that we buy (which is 95%+ of our inventory) is sourced from a licensed Japanese supplier - you need a license to sell vintage goods in Japan - something which is very difficult to obtain, but also very easy to lose. If we buy a private collection, we pay a license holder to formally appraise every item in the collection.
I have no idea how a dealer could know this inside out for a significant amount of countries cinema posters. I see stores with posters from 20+ countries. It's an eyebrow raiser for me.
I know that there are a lot of dealers who turn a blind eye to potential fakes, and I see so much ridiculously inaccurate information on other dealer's websites; stuff they are literally making up to give pieces more prestige. It's total nonsense and criminally deceitful, but they just prey on the naivety of their clientele. It's abhorrent.
Sometimes I'll grill a dealer on a piece I know is 100% a fake. Last year, I saw a hideously bad Star Wars fake and I asked the guy where he got it... he told me something about getting it from some guy who used to work at Sotheby's. No paperwork, unsurprisingly.
Even those big auction houses are not a cert for authenticity. I've seen them peddling fan art as if it's an official theatrical poster, and very likely fake pieces - but if you take the time to read their small print, they are absolutely legally absolved from any responsibility if they sell a fake or misrepresent a piece. It's a joke. I've been asked by several of the big auction houses to source their Japanese stuff and I've told them all in no uncertain terms to fuck off.
Return of the Jedi (1983) Japanese Theatrical Poster by Noriyoshi Ohrai
What’s the fundamental difference between Asian posters versus posters coming from the Western market? What are some of the key features you like about one over the other?
Well, what I've loved about Japanese artwork is the way they combine their heritage (calligraphy, symbols, etc. which have been around for centuries) with more modern artwork - and by modern, I'm talking relatively - so even stuff from the 1960's can be counted as it includes visual heritage that goes back centuries.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Japanese Theatrical Poster
What’s different about the Asian market for posters to look completely different than anywhere else? Do you think Asian artists get more autonomy from film studios when designing posters for this region?
In the past, absolutely. It was important that even with posters of western films, that Japanese iconography was very strong. That heritage I spoke about above had to be intertwined with western elements. Unfortunately, that's not so much a thing anymore. Most western films just get the global template, and even artwork for Japanese domestic films is very Westernised.
Having lots of experience with Japanese/Thai posters, do you find that these posters tend to be looked at as more of an art piece rather than strictly promotional materials or counter to that, is it the Western audience’s fascination with the East that helps elevates Asian posters into a form of high art, or is there more to it than that?
I think a lot of this has been answered above, but yes, absolutely. A lot of both Japanese and Thai cinema artists took a hell of a lot of pride in their work. That's not to say that highly regarded western artists did not, but then the Asian artists absolutely made the effort to make a unique piece of art that included cultural identity specific to their country.
Godzilla Versus Space Godzilla (1994) Japanese Theatrical Poster - NORIYOSHI OHRAI
Without revealing your sources, how do you come into possession of these particular posters? Old theatres? People selling their entire collections?
I've been buying these for over thirty years and visiting Japan quite frequently for over twenty. Incredibly, one of my suppliers is a guy who I bought my very first Japanese posters from over thirty years ago! Through him and through my trips to Japan, I’ve built up a good network of contacts, some of them had their own stores which are sadly no longer around, but they still supply me with items and introduce me to private collectors who are looking to sell collections or special pieces.
In regards to curating your inventory, do you find a particular genre that you’re drawn to in this particular market? For example, you carry everything from Star Wars to Horror properties.
Not really. The selection should be like that of a really good video store; the best of everything, and surprises in every genre that will keep even the most dedicated cinephiles in awe.
Seven Samurai (1954) Japanese Theatrical Poster
What has been your favourite poster you have encountered in this business and why? Do you have a white whale?
First and foremost, there's a bunch of Thai stuff, but the problem with Thai stuff is that so few were printed (on very thin paper and in a very humid country) that cinemas threw a lot away and not many of the rest survived. If you see a Thai poster you love, you should just buy it, because it may well be the only chance you ever get to do so.
If I have to choose one “white whale,” it's gotta be the Thai Apocalypse Now two sheet by the incredible Tongdee Panumas.
Apocalypse Now (1979) Thailand Theatrical Poster by Tongdee Panumas
You’re fairly active on Instagram. What’s been the reception like to the art that you share on a daily basis? Do followers tend to reach out to you when they discover a poster from their favourite film that they didn’t realize existed?
We've gotta keep feeding the beast! That's how we keep the virality up on IG - you can't really take your foot off the gas. Posts, stories, videos... I need to get better at reels!
It's always great to see someone flip out over something they never knew existed... even if they aren't buying it. There are a lot of people who have followed the page for years and have never bought anything. The fact they just take interest in the project is extremely flattering and I really appreciate it. This is a project that comes from the heart, and I love sharing the art I love.
The Goonies (1985) Japanese Theatrical Poster
What’s next for you and Exotic Originals?
We've finally got the @eo.nightmarket project moving somewhat. A lot was put on hold due to my long-term health issues - including this - but I'm feeling better by the week and it's time to push forward. The fact we've made a reasonable success out of this, being exclusively on Instagram, and only being able to accept payment via one channel that most people don't have has been very limiting - that's about to change also.
We're also about to branch out into other related projects with like-minded, lovable lunatics who we have met and clicked with along the way. I'll announce those on the page when there is something solid to announce, otherwise it's just hot air!
A massive thank you to every follower/customer/peer and friend I have made along the way and an extra special thank you to my wonderful assistant, Nudd, who I just couldn't do this without!
Join Dave on his quest for world domination by following Exotic Originals on Instagram.
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