Aaron Gerow

Aaron Gerow is the A. Whitney Griswold Professor of Film and Media Studies and East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale University. He specializes in East Asian film and media, with a focus on Japanese cinema’s historical, theoretical, and cultural dimensions. Gerow holds a PhD from the University of Iowa and has taught at Yokohama National University and Meiji Gakuin University in Japan, where he also contributed to the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival.

• Education:
  • Columbia University: A.D. (1985), M.F.A. (1987)
  • University of Iowa: M.A. (1992), Ph.D. (1996)

His research explores early Japanese cinema, film theory, animation, and censorship. Key works include Visions of Japanese Modernity (2010) and Kitano Takeshi (2007). Gerow is currently writing on the history of Japanese film theory and has supervised reprints of prewar film journals. His interdisciplinary approach bridges film studies, literary analysis, and cultural history.

Publications span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles, reflecting his engagement with both Japanese and global cinematic traditions. Gerow’s work often critiques national narratives and explores transnational influences in media.

His advising and grants include contributions to Yale’s doctoral program in East Asian cinema and collaborations on film preservation projects. Gerow’s online presence includes a curated website with resources on Japanese film studies and links to his publications.