films seen
5
average score
2.20*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking

Movies


The Eel

Unagi
1997 / 117m - Japan
Crime, Drama
3.0*/5.0*
The Eel poster

Japan's 90s Cannes winner. Of all the Japanese films that were made in the 90s, I have no clue why this one managed to win this prestigious prize though. I know that Imamura is a respected director, and The Eel isn't a terrible film, but there's not much that jumps out here. Even a second viewing couldn't reveal the film's secret.

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When Takuro catches his wife with another man, he murders her. He is sent to prison and is released again eight years later. He starts his life anew, in a small village, where he opens a barber shop. He tries to stay out of trouble, but when he meets Keiko, a young woman resembling his late wife, Takuro can't help but fall in love again.

Koji Yakusho's performance is solid but nothing too out of the ordinary, the mix of drama and crime elements works well, but it's been done before. There are some slightly more surreal scenes, but they feel a bit flimsy, the ending on the other hand was a bit too farcical. Not bad, but not all that memorable either.


The Ballad of Narayama

Narayama Bushikô
1983 / 130m - Japan
Drama
2.5*/5.0*
The Ballad of Narayama poster

Certainly not the worst Imamura, though I don't think I'll ever become a fan of his work. Like most of his films, the acting is quite crude and unsubtle, with symbolism layered on thick. What saved this film from anonymity for me is the interesting finale, which is easily the best part of the film.

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The film follows a fictitious (folklore-based) community living on a mountain in northern Japan. When their members turn 70, they have to climb the neighboring mountain, where death awaits them. This sacrifice is supposed to bring good fortune to their children. Orin spends her entire 69th year preparing for the big trip, making sure her kids are ready for a life without her.

The first 90 minutes is spent exploring the community and its people. There's a lot of intercourse (between people, between animals and even some interspecies fidgeting) and a lot of poverty as people try their best to survive in the town. The trip up the mountain really calms things down and finally there's some true beauty shining true. It's a film that has its moments, but there's not enough of them to turn this into a worthwhile classic.


Warm Water Under a Red Bridge

Akai Hashi no Shita no Nurui Mizu
2001 / 119m - Japan
Comedy, Drama
2.0*/5.0*
Warm Water Under a Red Bridge poster

Black Rain

Kuroi Ame
1989 / 123m - Japan
Drama, War
2.0*/5.0*
Black Rain poster

Imamura's Hiroshima-based drama deals with some dark and tough topics, but it would've benefited greatly from more subdued performances. For a drama, it's way too loud and heavy-handed. It seems to be a returning factor in Imamura's films, so maybe he's just not my kind of director.

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Yasuko is present on the day of the Hiroshima bombing. She witnesses the event from afar, but gets exposed to the "black rain", which is heavily contaminated. She returns to her village, where she is shunned by the other villagers. Her guardians try to set up a marriage for Yasuko, but they have trouble finding any men who are interested.

The stark black and white cinematography is definitely appropriate, but it makes the film look older than it really is. The village drama isn't all that interesting and the performances are too over-the-top, making it hard to get really into the film. There's definitely potential here, but Imamura's direction doesn't really do the topic any justice.


Vengeance Is Mine

Fukushû Suru wa Ware ni Ari
1979 / 139m - Japan
Crime, Drama
1.5*/5.0*
Vengeance Is Mine poster