435. Tokyo Orimpikku

Tokyo Orimpikku
Tokyo Olympiad
1965
Directed by Kon Ichikawa

I am starting to regret the picture I chose because it looks like an ad for tampons.  Oh well, we will go with it; I am tired.  This is actually a relevant movie to watch (which rarely happens on this blog since I go chronologically) because the Olympics are starting in week.  I have absolutely no interest in sports but I am terrified that something horrible is going to happen there.  This is when most people say send your prayers, but I am atheist so...I don't know; send something else.  Again, I am tired.

Previously on The List, we had to watch the 1936 Olympics.  I was pleasantly surprised with that film, since I expected to be really bored and was actually mildly entertained.  Of course, with that movie, every once awhile Hitler would be shown cheering in the audience so you kind of had to stay on your toes.  This time, however, was the opposite.  While I expected excitement, I was terribly bored.

It is pretty much a straight record of the Olympics.  There is nothing really extra here so if you like sports, you will enjoy the film; if you don't, you will not.  Honestly, though even if you love sports, some of the events are beyond ridiculous.  The speed walking?  You all realize people can see you guys right?

Anyway, at least all this Olympic watching will help my Trivial Pursuit game.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Reedited after the Japanese government was displeased with Ichikawa's artistic takes on events.

413. Yukinojo Henge

Yukinojo Henge
An Actor's Revenge
1963
Directed by Kon Ichikawa

Okay, what the fuck.

I don't think I have ever been so confused about the plot in a movie.  It got to the point where I didn't know what gender the characters were.  I would blame it on my hilariously awful subtitles (I think at one point someone announced that there was an "elephant wall" and because no one acted alarmed, that is probably a bit off) but I have been able to follow plots even without dialogue before.  I tried to look to The Book for some clarification about what was going on but it just further confused me by saying that the director threw in distorted visuals and cartoon bubbles.  What??  When did that happen? How did I miss that?  Was I high?

Usually when I fail this hard at watching a film (which you might be surprised to learn is something you can fail at but I have learned that I can pretty much fail at anything, no matter how simple it is), I would try to watch it again, but mine seems like the best version you can get for a reasonable price.

So I earned my checkmark for the list, but honestly I am walking away completely baffled.

RATING: ***--(???)

Interesting Facts:

Tribute to actor Kazuo Hasegawa.

303. Biruma No Tategoto

Biruma No Tategoto
Burmese Harp
1956
Directed by Kon Ichikawa

As you probably know by now, I am a huge fan of Japanese cinema.  I really love how it can be so emotional without being too sentimental.  Unfortunately, this film totally crossed the line to sappiness.

So first of all, if you know anything about what happened in Burma, you know that what they show in this film is complete bullshit.  No, they did not lose the war because they spent too much time singing.  Just had to clear that up.

This is the story of a Japanese battalion that is defeated by the British.  After they are captured, they send their harpist to convince the other Japanese battalion to surrender.  That fails so the harpist decides to spend his time burying Japanese soldiers.  Cue the violins.  Although, I suppose in this case, it would be more accurate to say cue the harps.

I suppose the more sensitive people among us would be weeping at this film.  I, however, thought it was ridiculous.  Making a war musical is a bold move and it really did not pay off here.

Way too sentimental and I am deeply disappointed.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

One of the first Japanese films to deal with pacifist themes in WWII.