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Post by The Social Introvert on Jun 12, 2017 8:47:21 GMT
Tragic, challenging, punishing, intense and absolutely badass. I think this film is absolutely incredible. What helps is that I watched it during a movie slump, where it was like every film I watched was subpar. And then I saw this on IMDb and a thought "Why not?". And what a film! Incredible. Harakiri 's plot is as follows: An elder ronin samurai arrives at a samurai clan's home and requests an honorable place to commit suicide. But when the ronin inquires about a younger samurai who arrived before him things take an unexpected turn. Most of the film is a back and forth exchange between the shabby ronin and the samurai clan's leader, interceded by flashbacks when the ronin decides to tell the samurai a story of how he got to a point where he wanted to commit Harakiri. I'll stop there, as it's best to go in blind. But I can't stop heaving praise on this film. It works on so many different levels. It can be seen as a simple revenge film, a self-contained greek tragedy, a criticism of the Japanese governing body at the time that the film was made (which it was, apparently), an exploration of manliness, family values and questions just how far traditions should be valued when they directly cause unnecessary violence. One thing that the film did that I loved was that it challenged you as the viewer - there are scenes where you (or me really, not sure if it was the same with anyone else) have a preconditioned prejudice against a character based on previous scenes without fully understanding their situation. And then when you do understand their situation you end up feeling extremely humbled and guilty. Never seen a film do this before. I made a little spoiler-free (I talk about the first few scenes a bit, if you consider this a spoiler) here if you are interested: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYX5S-AUEjUFor those of you who have seen this film, what are your thoughts on it? And do you know of any other films that can challenge their audiences like this one does?
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Flynn
Sophomore
@flynn
Posts: 515
Likes: 270
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Post by Flynn on Jun 15, 2017 3:19:06 GMT
Now, Voyager perhaps. I don't care if it is melodramatic. It really speaks to me in a way most movies don't.
The movie starts out with Charlotte, a frail woman who has been beaten down by life and those who supposedly love her. The movie points out that we are what people think we are, because how we respond to the way people treat us is part of who we are. But the movie also reminds us that we can change by leaving our current, negative environment for a positive environment of people who treat us, with respect. And indeed, Charlotte eventually grows to be confident and of strong will.
Max Steiner's ethereal love theme is also a plus!
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Post by manfromplanetx on Jun 15, 2017 5:42:30 GMT
Tragic, challenging, punishing, intense and absolutely badass. Great rave, I agree a great film ... I love Japanese cinema, so many other exceptional films to explore and discover here is my Japanese dvd collection list, might be of interest? www.imdb.com/list/ls069871117/ have you seen Kaneto Shindo's multi faceted masterwork Onibaba (1964) ? A dark fable of a sub-proletariat mother and daughter, who subsist and survive within and under cover of swamp grass by stalking and murdering desperate lost samurai, in order to sell their arms and armour. The mother and the daughter-in-law, Shindo explains... "They are people totally abandoned, outside society's political protection. Among these outcasts I wanted to capture their immense energy for survival" "the tall, swaying reeds are my symbol of the world, the society which surrounds people... the world in which these commoners live and to which the eyes of lords and politicians do not reach"
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Post by Fox in the Snow on Jun 16, 2017 4:23:22 GMT
Tragic, challenging, punishing, intense and absolutely badass. Great rave, I agree a great film ... I love Japanese cinema, so many other exceptional films to explore and discover here is my Japanese dvd collection list, might be of interest? www.imdb.com/list/ls069871117/ have you seen Kaneto Shindo's multi faceted masterwork Onibaba (1964) ? A dark fable of a sub-proletariat mother and daughter, who subsist and survive within and under cover of swamp grass by stalking and murdering desperate lost samurai, in order to sell their arms and armour. The mother and the daughter-in-law, Shindo explains... "They are people totally abandoned, outside society's political protection. Among these outcasts I wanted to capture their immense energy for survival" "the tall, swaying reeds are my symbol of the world, the society which surrounds people... the world in which these commoners live and to which the eyes of lords and politicians do not reach" Nice, very informative list. A lot of favorites on there, but still plenty to see, particularly the Naruse, Masumura and Kurahara. Do love Onibaba, possibly in my all time Top 10.
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