Category: Japan
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SUNA NO ONNA aka THE WOMAN IN THE DUNES
“The Woman in the Dunes” (Suna no Onna) is a 1964 film directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara and based on the novel by Kōbō Abe. It is a surreal, psychological drama that explores themes of isolation, existentialism, and the human struggle for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. The film is one of the most important…
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RASHOMON
Rashomon (1950), directed by Akira Kurosawa, is a groundbreaking Japanese film that delves into the subjective nature of truth and the complexity of human perception. Starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, and Takashi Shimura, the film presents multiple contradictory accounts of a violent crime, leaving audiences to question the reliability of memory and the…
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HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) is a Japanese animated fantasy film directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. Based on the 1986 novel by Diana Wynne Jones, the film is a visually stunning and emotionally rich story that explores themes of love, war, personal identity, and the power of compassion. The English-language…
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TOKYO STORY
“Tokyo Story” (“Tokyo Monogatari”) is a 1953 Japanese drama film directed by Yasujirō Ozu. It is often referred to as one of the greatest films ever made. The film stars Chishū Ryū, Chieko Higashiyama, Setsuko Hara, and Haruko Sugimura. The story begins in Onomichi, a small coastal town in Japan, where Shūkichi Hirayama (Chishū Ryū)…
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EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP
“Emperor Tomato Ketchup” is a 1971 experimental film directed by Shuji Terayama. It is known for its avant-garde style and surreal narrative, as well as being somewhat controversial for its depiction and actions played by children. The film is a social commentary that explores themes of power, authority, and rebellion in a dystopian society ruled…
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THROW AWAY YOUR BOOKS, RALLY IN THE STREETS
“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…
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TOKYO DRIFTER
“Tokyo Drifter” is a stylish 1966 Japanese yakuza film directed by Seijun Suzuki. The film features Tetsuya Watari as the lead character, Tetsuya “Phoenix” Hondo, and Chieko Matsubara as Chiharu. The story follows Tetsuya Hondo, a loyal and honorable yakuza member caught in a web of betrayal and deception. After his boss decides to dissolve…
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ヘルタースケルター) aka HELTER SKELTER
“Helter Skelter” is a 2012 Japanese psychological thriller directed by Mika Ninagawa. It is based on the manga by the same name, Kyoko Okazaki. The story revolves around Liliko Kinoshita (Erika Sawajiri), a beautiful and successful but deeply troubled model and actress who undergoes extreme cosmetic surgery to maintain her youthful appearance and fame. Liliko…
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SEVEN SAMURAI
“Seven Samurai” is a classic Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa, released in 1954. Set in 16th-century Japan, the story revolves around a small farming village under constant threat from bandits who pillage their crops after every harvest. Desperate to protect themselves, the villagers seek the help of seven masterless samurai, or ronin, to defend…
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SPIRITED AWAY
“Spirited Away” is a captivating and visually stunning animated fantasy film that takes audiences on an enchanting journey into a magical realm. The film follows the extraordinary adventure of a young girl named Chihiro Ogino, who becomes trapped in a mysterious and ethereal world. Chihiro stumbles upon an abandoned amusement park while moving to a…
The Other Cinema 