Ugetsu: a parable of two men in pursuit of fame and glory, with social justice themes
Kenji Mizoguchi, “Ugetsu” (1953) Two interwined morality plays about peasants blinded by thoughts of personal
Category: Japanese Films
Reviews of films from Japan.
A socialist revolutionary parable and story of Buddhist compassion in “Yuki: Snow Fairy”
Tadashi Imai, “Yuki: Snow Fairy” (1981) In the hands of Tadashi Imai, notable as a
Onibaba: a psychological horror study with an anti-war theme
Kaneto Shindo, “Onibaba” (1964) An old Japanese Buddhist tale of a woman who uses a
French and French-language Films | Japanese Films
The Red Turtle: a pretty and glossy package with a conservative and banal message
Michaël Dudok de Wiet, “The Red Turtle” (2016) God save us all from pretty packages
RoboGeisha: a quirky and outrageous sci-fi film with a message of love, connection and reconciliation
Noboru Iguchi, “RoboGeisha” (2009) For a film about two sisters and their love-hate relationship, “RoboGeisha”
I Live in Fear: a portrait of society in denial of looming nuclear attack disaster
Akira Kurosawa, “I Live in Fear” (1955) I must admit to not being very impressed
Spirited Away: a lavish film representing the peak of Studio Ghibli’s creativity and the start of its decline
Hayao Miyazaki, “Spirited Away” (2001) In many ways, “Spirited Away” represents the peak of Studio
Kakekomi: historical soap opera drama labouring under several sub-plots to tackle serious social issues
Masato Harada, “Kakekomi Onna to Kakedashi Otoko” (2015) A light-hearted historical drama set in Japan
A Samurai Chronicle: an earnest and heavy-going lesson in how to live a good life with grace, compassion and humility
Takashi Koizumi, “A Samurai Chronicle” (2014) I’m afraid that these days the Japanese just don’t
The Makioka Sisters: a flat commentary on tradition and modernisation alike through a soap opera plot
Kon Ichikawa, “The Makioka Sisters” (1983) Admittedly this is a beautifully shot film and its