KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 1 - Battle Royale “Quelle surprise, Kiki,” you say. Well, I like what I like, okay? You may as well get used to it. I never said I was sophisticated. Bean and I probably watched this film for the first time when we were still in high school. We (I?) transitioned out of a kung fu/martial arts films phase and into an anime/ultra violence phase which included films like Blood: The Last Vampire and Kill Bill. I remember looking it up on the interweb after we saw it, because it had impacted me and to be honest, confused me. It could have been that we watched a version which had been poorly subtitled; I would like to watch the latest release of it and see if things have been more fully explained for the intended western audience. Anyways, when I looked it up I came across a website which explained some portions of the film - like Noriko’s dream sequence and the ending - by basically saying “In Japan, films don’t have to make sense.” I used to think that gaps in the narrative or inexplicable happenings (such as Kitano’s character appearing out of nowhere to give Noriko an umbrella) were plot holes and a sign of a terrible film. Seeing Battle Royale and thinking about it afterwards, I realized that as a viewer, I can and do fill in the blanks when I’m trusted by a filmmaker to make assumptions. I think in many scenes (which I won’t mention so as not to spoil the ending) the film is trying to provoke the audience into wondering WTF and wondering it for days afterwards - and I’m not just talking about the depictions of graphic violence.  Ultimately, I see Battle Royale (and the manga) as a character driven peice. The strength of the film lies in is how quickly it gets you emotionally invested in the characters and their relationships. Considering how many characters there are, this is actually quite a feat. Sure, to a certain extent the film draws on archetypes and genre conventions (some of which might be more familiar to a Japanese audience) but there is a specificity of detail which makes even minor characters memorable. By engaging the audience with the characters and letting their relationships and emotions guide the story (as opposed to the action, of which there is plenty) the stakes are high, every death matters to the audience and there are a lot of them. Which is perhaps why I was so bored with The Hunger Games: despite the action and suspense which seems to be inherent in the premise, and the clarity with which the plot is presented, somehow the characters didn’t elicit a similar emotional investment from me. But I digress. Battle Royale: Watch it, or else:
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KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 1 - Battle Royale

“Quelle surprise, Kiki,” you say. Well, I like what I like, okay? You may as well get used to it. I never said I was sophisticated.

Bean and I probably watched this film for the first time when we were still in high school. We (I?) transitioned out of a kung fu/martial arts films phase and into an anime/ultra violence phase which included films like Blood: The Last Vampire and Kill Bill. I remember looking it up on the interweb after we saw it, because it had impacted me and to be honest, confused me. It could have been that we watched a version which had been poorly subtitled; I would like to watch the latest release of it and see if things have been more fully explained for the intended western audience. Anyways, when I looked it up I came across a website which explained some portions of the film - like Noriko’s dream sequence and the ending - by basically saying “In Japan, films don’t have to make sense.”

I used to think that gaps in the narrative or inexplicable happenings (such as Kitano’s character appearing out of nowhere to give Noriko an umbrella) were plot holes and a sign of a terrible film. Seeing Battle Royale and thinking about it afterwards, I realized that as a viewer, I can and do fill in the blanks when I’m trusted by a filmmaker to make assumptions. I think in many scenes (which I won’t mention so as not to spoil the ending) the film is trying to provoke the audience into wondering WTF and wondering it for days afterwards - and I’m not just talking about the depictions of graphic violence. 

Ultimately, I see Battle Royale (and the manga) as a character driven peice. The strength of the film lies in is how quickly it gets you emotionally invested in the characters and their relationships. Considering how many characters there are, this is actually quite a feat. Sure, to a certain extent the film draws on archetypes and genre conventions (some of which might be more familiar to a Japanese audience) but there is a specificity of detail which makes even minor characters memorable. By engaging the audience with the characters and letting their relationships and emotions guide the story (as opposed to the action, of which there is plenty) the stakes are high, every death matters to the audience and there are a lot of them. Which is perhaps why I was so bored with The Hunger Games: despite the action and suspense which seems to be inherent in the premise, and the clarity with which the plot is presented, somehow the characters didn’t elicit a similar emotional investment from me. But I digress. Battle Royale: Watch it, or else:

Shara (2003) (Sharasouju/Sharasojyu original title) BEAN’S TOP 5 JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 2 - SHARA This was an easy pick. I had to email my old professor because I didn’t remember the name though. Shara is written and directed by Naomi Kawase, and filmed in Nara, Japan, where she grew up. Kawase’s intimate knowledge of Nara allows her to use the setting as an influence on the whole mood of the movie, a city still rooted in the past, struggling with the present. It’s probably the most difficult movie on this list to watch… But it is incredibly well filmed, with characters and a story that draws you in and holds you.  I watched a lot of films in pursuit of my BA(surprise surprise), but this one always haunted me. Its a real film students movie, lots of depth and beautiful shots. You could definitely watch Shara more than once, it has a lot of subtlety and foreshadowing that you don’t see the first time around.  I say its difficult to watch for two reasons. First, it’s slow. It creeps along, revealing characters and the story, quietly building until the turning point. Secondly its awfully emotional, the characters burrow into your heart and you don’t realize it until your ugly crying when something happens to them. If you can get past the pace, relax and enjoy the eye feast, then you wont be disappointed. If you want something exciting, this is not your film. If you want something quiet, striking, introspective and heartwarming, then go ahead and watch Shara.  I’ve been purposefully vague about describing this film because I feel like the less you know about it, the more you will be able to enjoy it for yourself. So go check it out. 
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Shara (2003) (Sharasouju/Sharasojyu original title)

BEAN’S TOP 5 JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 2 - SHARA

This was an easy pick. I had to email my old professor because I didn’t remember the name though. Shara is written and directed by Naomi Kawase, and filmed in Nara, Japan, where she grew up. Kawase’s intimate knowledge of Nara allows her to use the setting as an influence on the whole mood of the movie, a city still rooted in the past, struggling with the present.

It’s probably the most difficult movie on this list to watch… But it is incredibly well filmed, with characters and a story that draws you in and holds you.

 I watched a lot of films in pursuit of my BA(surprise surprise), but this one always haunted me. Its a real film students movie, lots of depth and beautiful shots. You could definitely watch Shara more than once, it has a lot of subtlety and foreshadowing that you don’t see the first time around.

 I say its difficult to watch for two reasons. First, it’s slow. It creeps along, revealing characters and the story, quietly building until the turning point. Secondly its awfully emotional, the characters burrow into your heart and you don’t realize it until your ugly crying when something happens to them. If you can get past the pace, relax and enjoy the eye feast, then you wont be disappointed.

If you want something exciting, this is not your film.

If you want something quiet, striking, introspective and heartwarming, then go ahead and watch Shara. 

I’ve been purposefully vague about describing this film because I feel like the less you know about it, the more you will be able to enjoy it for yourself. So go check it out. 

Spirited Away (2001)

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 2 - SPIRITED AWAY

If you are reading this and for some reason, you made it to this point in your life without having seen Spirited Away, please stop reading immediately and just go watch it.

Are they gone? Okay. Great.

So… Spirited Away, best movie ever, huh? I think it really beautifully depicts the bathhouse, certain aspects of the shinto religion and other uniquely Japanese things like kompeito.

Suicide Club (2001) BEAN’S TOP 5 JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 4- SUICIDE CLUB I know I said I wasn’t going to put the ‘scar you for life’ films on this list. I may have lied. Suicide Club gets all in your head while overwhelming your senses with exploding school girls. It’s a little bit detective story, horror story, philosophical message and comment on society. It was originally a manga(surprise surprise) that is apparently better than the film(surprise surprise). I haven’t read the manga but I can’t imagine how, no matter how well done, drawings could ever match the jaw dropping effect of school girls splattering all over other school girls. 
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Suicide Club (2001)

BEAN’S TOP 5 JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 4- SUICIDE CLUB


I know I said I wasn’t going to put the ‘scar you for life’ films on this list. I may have lied.

Suicide Club gets all in your head while overwhelming your senses with exploding school girls. It’s a little bit detective story, horror story, philosophical message and comment on society. It was originally a manga(surprise surprise) that is apparently better than the film(surprise surprise). I haven’t read the manga but I can’t imagine how, no matter how well done, drawings could ever match the jaw dropping effect of school girls splattering all over other school girls. 

Ikiru (1952) BEAN’S TOP 5 JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 5 - IKIRU It’s my turn now! I found it very difficult to choose my favorite Japanese films. This is not because I have seen so many, which is true, but because there are many films I love and I think everyone should see- but I have no interest in seeing again. So I’ve decided to cut those films out for now and focus on my watchable favorites and not the ones I think you should see. Maybe I’ll make a “5 Japanese films I think you should see but will probably scar you for life” list later.  SO, Ikiru is a film about a classic ‘salary man’ bureaucrat in a broken, useless government job who realizes he wants to find meaning in his life. It’s a sweet, heart-warming film that makes you want to live life to the fullest! It’s also a really good look-if not a slightly caricatured version- of what life is like working for a Japanese company or Government office. While things aren’t that bad for some, many people in Japan do work ludicrous hours for no over time and are unable or feel unable to take days off. They work all day long and at least from what I’ve seen, they often aren’t working hard, they just feel obligated to look like they are working and stay late. This being one of Kurosawa’s earlier films I feel like his style is a little raw and even over the top- in a good way. Kurosawa frames scenes to visually represent the feelings and relationships of his characters, all over the place. Seriously just pay attention to the how the characters are placed in a scene and you’ll realize that practically everything around them informs you about who they are, what they feel, or what their relationship is with the other characters in the scene. A very fun and interesting watch.
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Ikiru (1952)

BEAN’S TOP 5 JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 5 - IKIRU


It’s my turn now! I found it very difficult to choose my favorite Japanese films. This is not because I have seen so many, which is true, but because there are many films I love and I think everyone should see- but I have no interest in seeing again.

So I’ve decided to cut those films out for now and focus on my watchable favorites and not the ones I think you should see. Maybe I’ll make a “5 Japanese films I think you should see but will probably scar you for life” list later. 

SO,

Ikiru is a film about a classic ‘salary man’ bureaucrat in a broken, useless government job who realizes he wants to find meaning in his life. It’s a sweet, heart-warming film that makes you want to live life to the fullest! It’s also a really good look-if not a slightly caricatured version- of what life is like working for a Japanese company or Government office. While things aren’t that bad for some, many people in Japan do work ludicrous hours for no over time and are unable or feel unable to take days off. They work all day long and at least from what I’ve seen, they often aren’t working hard, they just feel obligated to look like they are working and stay late.

This being one of Kurosawa’s earlier films I feel like his style is a little raw and even over the top- in a good way. Kurosawa frames scenes to visually represent the feelings and relationships of his characters, all over the place. Seriously just pay attention to the how the characters are placed in a scene and you’ll realize that practically everything around them informs you about who they are, what they feel, or what their relationship is with the other characters in the scene.

A very fun and interesting watch.

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: HONORABLE MENTION - Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance I remember that, at the video store where I once worked, we used to have a sign in the japanese cinema section, which (somewhat snarkily) directed customers seeking Shogun Assassin to the Lone Wolf and Cub series because: Shogun Assassin, known in Japan as Kozure Ōkami (子連れ狼?), is a jidaigeki film made for the British and American markets and released in 1980… Shogun Assassin was edited and compiled from the first two films in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, using 12 minutes of the first film, Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, and most of Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx. from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun_Assassin Oh man, I miss Pic-A-Flic so much - I hope they never go out of business! I haven’t read all of the manga, or seen all six of the films in the series, but I’m thinking maybe Bean and I will try to get a hold of them (with English subs, for me) when we are reunited in Japan and we will host a little marathon! I especially recommend this film for fans of Kill Bill or Samurai Jack, both of which are inspired by and directly reference Lone Wolf and Cub:
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KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: HONORABLE MENTION - Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance

I remember that, at the video store where I once worked, we used to have a sign in the japanese cinema section, which (somewhat snarkily) directed customers seeking Shogun Assassin to the Lone Wolf and Cub series because:

Shogun Assassin, known in Japan as Kozure Ōkami (子連れ狼?), is a jidaigeki film made for the British and American markets and released in 1980… Shogun Assassin was edited and compiled from the first two films in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, using 12 minutes of the first film, Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, and most of Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun_Assassin

Oh man, I miss Pic-A-Flic so much - I hope they never go out of business! I haven’t read all of the manga, or seen all six of the films in the series, but I’m thinking maybe Bean and I will try to get a hold of them (with English subs, for me) when we are reunited in Japan and we will host a little marathon!

I especially recommend this film for fans of Kill Bill or Samurai Jack, both of which are inspired by and directly reference Lone Wolf and Cub:

Source: samuraicinema

(gifs via psychrophile: The Flower of Carnage. Meiko Kaji [梶 芽衣子], Lady Snowblood [修羅雪姫] (1973). )

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: HONORABLE MENTION - LADY SNOWBLOOD

Lady Snowblood is one of the films that inspired Kill Bill, so if you are a fan of O-Ren Ishii, it’s a must-see. Lady Snowblood (1973) has a lot in common with Lady Vengeance (2005), which is undoubtedly in my top five favourite films of all time.

Throne of Blood (1957) KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 4 - THRONE OF BLOOD Throne of Blood (1975) was directed by Akira Kurosawa, without whom no list of japanese films is complete. Throne of Blood is a film adaptation of Macbeth and as I am an aspiring English Lit major, it’s really no surprise that this is my favourite Samurai film. The special effects and the use of fog really capture the supernatural elements of the play well. Because it is a period drama, there is lots here for those of you wanting to learn more about Japanese culture; the historical class structures and gender roles portrayed in the film obviously have much in common with their medieval-european counterparts but the adaptation is definitely told from a Japanese perspective. For example, “the crone” is a character trope in western and eastern folklore but in Throne of Blood, the witch seems to be an Onibaba. There’s a nuanced difference in the characters and the application of the play’s themes, it seems to have as much in common with the Japanese tradition of Noh theater as it does with Shakespeare’s play. WHOA. I think I’m getting a little over my head here. That was borderline scholarly. I’m just going to say that there were samurais and ghosts, rad special effects and lots of action sequences WITH ARROWS. Watch it where ever criterion films are rented.
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Throne of Blood (1957)

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 4 - THRONE OF BLOOD

Throne of Blood (1975) was directed by Akira Kurosawa, without whom no list of japanese films is complete. Throne of Blood is a film adaptation of Macbeth and as I am an aspiring English Lit major, it’s really no surprise that this is my favourite Samurai film.

The special effects and the use of fog really capture the supernatural elements of the play well. Because it is a period drama, there is lots here for those of you wanting to learn more about Japanese culture; the historical class structures and gender roles portrayed in the film obviously have much in common with their medieval-european counterparts but the adaptation is definitely told from a Japanese perspective. For example, “the crone” is a character trope in western and eastern folklore but in Throne of Blood, the witch seems to be an Onibaba. There’s a nuanced difference in the characters and the application of the play’s themes, it seems to have as much in common with the Japanese tradition of Noh theater as it does with Shakespeare’s play.

WHOA. I think I’m getting a little over my head here. That was borderline scholarly. I’m just going to say that there were samurais and ghosts, rad special effects and lots of action sequences WITH ARROWS. Watch it where ever criterion films are rented.

Joshua's Top Five Favourite Japanese Films

Friend of the show, Joshua of http://ladyyoushotme.tumblr.com/ weighs in with his Top 5 Favourite Japanese Films:

OK. Well, I’m only gonna allow myself one per director because otherwise this is a list of my favorite Kurosawa films and that’s boring. So uhh…

1. The Bad Sleep Well (1960)
Kurosawa takes the top spot because he’s Kurosawa. BSW is so sad and perfect.
2. Kureneko (1968) 
Ghost story where samurai learn that you shouldn’t fuck with lady peasants, because they will come back from the dead and drink your fucking blood.
3. Tokyo Story (1953)
I like feeling terrible and so I like Tokyo Story. I used to prefer other Ozu films. Nowadays I just watch Tokyo Story every couple months and miss my grandparents.
4. Godzilla Raids Again (1955) 
Oddly prefer this to the original. Might be because it’s got both Minoru Chiaki and Takashi Shimura, might be because it’s got a great little prison escape sequence. Either way, no fav. Japanese film list would be complete without a little Gojira. 
5. Akira (1988)  
It hurts to omit Miyazaki but y’know. I’m not dropping Akira. Because Akira is rad. Tetsuo, Kaneda. TETSUO. KANEDA.

What are your favourite Japanese films?

Battle Royale (2000)

Battle Royale is being re-released (released in North America for the first time? Then how did we watch it back in the early 00’s?) because of the interest generated by the upcoming The Hunger Games film. BR is in the public consciousness all of a sudden because both films draw on the same premise, but I don’t really want to compare them… I’ll leave that to EVERYONE ELSE ON THE INTERNET.

What I want to do is talk about Japanese film - I think it’s safe to say that Bean and I learned a lot about Japanese culture through Japanese watching films. It was almost certainly how we were first exposed to Japan - except for, you know, Sailor Moon. Bean is much more knowledgeable in this area (it’s almost like she has a degree in it ((she does.))), so I’ll leave it up to her to SCHOOL YOU WITH HER POWERFUL INTELLECT. What I can and will do, in honour of Battle Royal is post about my top five favourite Japanese films* AND I WILL GIVE THEM IN 5 SEPARATE POSTS SO YOU ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

*These are not ranked in order of how much I like them - they are my top five, but all of them are equally great so go watch them all! 

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