films seen
3
average score
2.50*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking

Movies


Taboo

Gohatto
1999 / 100m - Japan
Drama
Taboo poster

Oshima's one-of-a-kind samurai drama. There aren't that many films that feature gay romances among samurai, let alone put their singular focus on the subject. That alone makes this worth a watch. Then there's the stellar performance by Ryu Matsudo, who even outshines Japanese greats like Kitano and Asano here. The cinematography is moody, the soundtrack is very stylish and the intrigue is tangible. Taboo is a film that delivers on all accounts, without ever overreaching or forcing itself.


In the Realm of the Senses

Ai no Korida
1976 / 109m - Japan
Drama, Horror, Romance
3.0*/5.0*
In the Realm of the Senses poster

Remarkable film. Oshima delivers a movie that's surprisingly explicit, slow-paced and devoid of plot, but somehow there's a constant tension that keeps things interesting. Well-shot too and building up to a sprawling finale, this is easily the best Oshima I've seen so far.


Band of Ninja

Ninja Bugei-cho
1967 / 123m - Japan
Action - Animation
0.5*/5.0*
Band of Ninja poster