“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.”
Category: Directors
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.”
Small Commentaries: Friends of Japanese Indie Cinema.
A commentary of a night with friends of the Japanese indie-scene.
First Love (2019) Review
“Takashi Miike’s latest beautifully underlines that the only kind of violence worthy of humanity is a violence born out of love.”
Japanese News Flashes: Takashi Miike, Masataka Kubota, and Cinemasia Film Festival.
“Read our report of the Q&A with Takashi Miike and Masataka Kubota we attended and our introduction of the CinemAsia Film Festival. “
Death By Hanging (1968) Review
“A true classic of political driven cinema that has, maybe contrary to one’s expectations, remained as relevant as it was in the past.”
Jam (2018) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“Sabu’s splendidly structured genre-mix will surely please his fans as well as charm those who are new to his oeuvre.”
