“A great narrative, due to its emotionally gripping finale and the crystal-clear manner by which Sabu explores and uncovers the impact of a vicious environment on the way the subject inscribes itself into the social fabric.”
Category: Directors
Under The Open Sky (2020) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
“A (damning) look at the vicious and unforgiven nature of the judgmental Other as well as heartwarming emotionally rich exploration of the importance of supportive inter-subjective social bonds for the subject.”
One Night (2019) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
A great narrative, offering a nuanced and rich exploration of interpersonal dynamics, that ultimately fails in giving this rich tapestry of interpersonal conflict a fitting finale.
Wife of A Spy (2020) review
A tremendous achievement [that succeeds in calling] forth orth certain (indigestible) truths concerning the Japanese imperialistic Other.
The Asian Angel (2021) review [OAFF 2021]
“Ishii’s latest succeeds in showing, in a powerful and touching manner, the possibility of intercultural friendship and romance.”
Lovers Are Wet (1973) review
“Not only a narrative about the destructiveness of male sexual opportunism, but also (a narrative) [that explores] the irreducible opaqueness of the female subject as such.”
Cruel story of Youth (1960) review
Oshima succeeds in dissecting in a very precise way how the Other, an Other marked by patriarchy and capitalism, is able to empty the youthful subject of his ideals and dreams as well as how the rebellious protest of certain youthful subjects is, in many cases, an affirmation of the very dynamic that underpins the functioning of the Other.
Gushing Prayer: A 15-Year-Old Prostitute (1971) review
“Not only does Adachi frame the societal Other as the cause of the lost state of youth and the youth’s suicidal response, but Adachi also formulates, in a truly confronting way, his hope for this lost youth to find desire in creating a different Other for tomorrow.”
Red Post on Escher Street (2020)
Sion Sono does not only offer an eloquent celebration of the beauty of the crazy little thing called desire, but also delivers a truly powerful encouragement for the contemporary subject to unshackle himself from the societal or psychological imposed restrictions and fight for his/her desire.
A Day-Off of Kasumi Arimura: After My Homecoming (2020) review [San Diego Asian Film Festival]
His peaceful slice-of-life narrative delivers an pleasing exploration of the notion of the family secret and how guilt can drive people to pay of their imagined debt.
Branded To Kill (1967) Review
“A Classic.”
One Missed Call (2003) Review
Miike’s horror-narrative provides all the thrills, and tropes for that matter, fans of J-horror have come to expect from the genre.
Japan Cuts 2020: Our recommendations.
“We introduce our recommendations for this year’s Japan Cuts, including Labyrinth of Cinema (2019), Murders of Oiso (2019), Extro (2020), Roar (2019), and Shell and Joint (2019).”
No Longer Human (2019) review
“Ninagawa’s representation of the final years of Dazai’s life is an enjoyable experience.”
Atom-bombs and world peace: Obayashi Nobuhiko (1938-2020).
“He had but one cause: to achieve world peace with the power of the cinematographical narrative.”
