“Throw Away Your Books, Rally in The Streets” is a groundbreaking Japanese film directed by Shuji Terayama and released in 1971. The film is a surreal and anarchic exploration of youth rebellion, societal disillusionment, and the search for personal freedom.
The story follows the protagonist, a young man named ‘Me’ (portrayed by Hideaki Sasaki), who is caught in the grip of existential angst and societal oppression. Feeling alienated from his family and disenchanted with Japanese society’s conformist values, ‘Me’ rebels against the status quo.
As ‘Me’ navigates his turbulent inner world, he encounters eccentric characters, including a band of rebellious youths who reject societal norms. Together, they embark on anarchic and surreal adventures, staging protests, engaging in vandalism, and challenging authority at every turn.
Throughout the film, ‘Me’ grapples with his identity and purpose, oscillating between intense introspection and wild rebellion. As the narrative unfolds, the line between reality and fantasy blurs, and ‘Me’s’ journey becomes a psychedelic odyssey through the chaos of his own mind.
The Other Cinema 