Comments on: The Japanese Noir of Takashi Miike http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/ Melding art, entertainment and my life in an attempt to find a question to answer. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:56:44 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Orlynow http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-2506 Orlynow Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:17:48 +0000 https://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-2506 Great article, though for the record Gozu is one of Miike's last yakuza films, not one of his first. Gozu was 2003 after a good decade of churning them out, then he made Yakuza Demon, but since then, yakuza have been very sidelined in his flicks. (Crows Zero being the closest to a come back) Great article, though for the record Gozu is one of Miike’s last yakuza films, not one of his first. Gozu was 2003 after a good decade of churning them out, then he made Yakuza Demon, but since then, yakuza have been very sidelined in his flicks. (Crows Zero being the closest to a come back)

]]> By: Weekly Movie Update May 23- June 3: Depp, Paprika and Miike « Phil-zine! http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-531 Weekly Movie Update May 23- June 3: Depp, Paprika and Miike « Phil-zine! Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:06:51 +0000 https://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-531 [...] My first problem with a film like this is the ease with which people try to place the label “experimental” upon it. Because it treads into depths that most people have the decency not to go it’s given a category to make it feel far more important than it is. That aside I’m always challenged by what Miike puts on the screen and maybe that’s the point of his more “taboo-breaking” (another pathetic label) films. I’m challenged to think about the worth of the images on the screen; can a subject be braved without putting the audience through such a despicable showing? I think so. Ingmar Bergman dealt with incest in “Through a Glass Darkly” in a much more subtle but just as disturbing, haunting and meaningful way than Miike has chose to do it. But Miike has his mind set on a vision far more absurd than Bergman did. Considering this film in such terms one could call it a dark comedy, though anyone that would laugh at such a depiction of a family’s falling apart I would arrest on the spot. Since I haven’t said so I will say so now, “Q” is about the disintegrating family structure in the realm of reality television (the first part is easy enough to tell, the second I read on the Netflix cover, and it makes sense in retrospect). And by the point of view Miike takes you can see he must loathe reality television (I won’t argue with him there!) It’s in his desire to exaggerate everything to the limits of absurdity that this film comes crashing down. Does incest, beating ones mother, drug abuse, rape, prostitution, murder, necrophilia, etc. need to be treated with such absurdity and with such an in your face ambivalence? And with a train ride that merely starts with incest you can imagine how far he pushes the boundaries in acknowledging the depravity of the other individual acts. That isn’t to say there isn’t something going on in Miike’s head. One thing I will give him is that, unlike Kubrick’s similarly touchy “Clockwork Orange”, there is no mistaking the tragic deprivations in this film as “cool.” He shows all of it for what it is…sickening and corrupting, a disease that can tear a family apart. To Devil’s Advocate myself maybe this absurdity is the reason why it’s watchable at all. In showing us how he handles these issues perhaps he’s actually telling us how he thinks reality television handles such issues. While there could be some truth in this observation, I’m probably over thinking and giving too much credit where credit is not due. Is it really difficult to disgust someone into thinking a certain way? In the end a balance is found in these character’s lives, a “thank you” is given to the strange visitor but the cost it takes to get there leaves you numbed and hopeless, asking yourself is that as good as it can get (if you get it at all)? One thing Miike does remember is how to be a brilliant director. He shows you the action just long enough so that it burns an image onto your retina and leaves it imprinted in your head, at times after leaving the camera utterly still for a long period, he’ll cut to a shot that shows little or nothing so that the more potent image and action remains in your head, allowing you to think or feel disturbed, I suppose that depends on your stamina. I’ve been moved by Miike before, intellectually provoked and thrilled. The only thing I can take out of a film like this is to be brave when finding my own voice in the world of film making and storytelling, and that if this can make it to a screen out there, my words and images certainly have a fighting chance.  For more of my thoughts on Miike and the films of his I’ve seen click this: http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/. [...] [...] My first problem with a film like this is the ease with which people try to place the label “experimental” upon it. Because it treads into depths that most people have the decency not to go it’s given a category to make it feel far more important than it is. That aside I’m always challenged by what Miike puts on the screen and maybe that’s the point of his more “taboo-breaking” (another pathetic label) films. I’m challenged to think about the worth of the images on the screen; can a subject be braved without putting the audience through such a despicable showing? I think so. Ingmar Bergman dealt with incest in “Through a Glass Darkly” in a much more subtle but just as disturbing, haunting and meaningful way than Miike has chose to do it. But Miike has his mind set on a vision far more absurd than Bergman did. Considering this film in such terms one could call it a dark comedy, though anyone that would laugh at such a depiction of a family’s falling apart I would arrest on the spot. Since I haven’t said so I will say so now, “Q” is about the disintegrating family structure in the realm of reality television (the first part is easy enough to tell, the second I read on the Netflix cover, and it makes sense in retrospect). And by the point of view Miike takes you can see he must loathe reality television (I won’t argue with him there!) It’s in his desire to exaggerate everything to the limits of absurdity that this film comes crashing down. Does incest, beating ones mother, drug abuse, rape, prostitution, murder, necrophilia, etc. need to be treated with such absurdity and with such an in your face ambivalence? And with a train ride that merely starts with incest you can imagine how far he pushes the boundaries in acknowledging the depravity of the other individual acts. That isn’t to say there isn’t something going on in Miike’s head. One thing I will give him is that, unlike Kubrick’s similarly touchy “Clockwork Orange”, there is no mistaking the tragic deprivations in this film as “cool.” He shows all of it for what it is…sickening and corrupting, a disease that can tear a family apart. To Devil’s Advocate myself maybe this absurdity is the reason why it’s watchable at all. In showing us how he handles these issues perhaps he’s actually telling us how he thinks reality television handles such issues. While there could be some truth in this observation, I’m probably over thinking and giving too much credit where credit is not due. Is it really difficult to disgust someone into thinking a certain way? In the end a balance is found in these character’s lives, a “thank you” is given to the strange visitor but the cost it takes to get there leaves you numbed and hopeless, asking yourself is that as good as it can get (if you get it at all)? One thing Miike does remember is how to be a brilliant director. He shows you the action just long enough so that it burns an image onto your retina and leaves it imprinted in your head, at times after leaving the camera utterly still for a long period, he’ll cut to a shot that shows little or nothing so that the more potent image and action remains in your head, allowing you to think or feel disturbed, I suppose that depends on your stamina. I’ve been moved by Miike before, intellectually provoked and thrilled. The only thing I can take out of a film like this is to be brave when finding my own voice in the world of film making and storytelling, and that if this can make it to a screen out there, my words and images certainly have a fighting chance.  For more of my thoughts on Miike and the films of his I’ve seen click this: http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/. [...]

]]> By: Rob Gokee http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-7 Rob Gokee Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:00:54 +0000 https://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-7 Have you seen "Afterlife?" It's a brilliant Japanese film about the time spent waiting between the two worlds of life and death. It's in my top ten list of best films, you should check it out if you get a chance. <i>Rob,  I could write a whole book of Blogs about my love of Japanese Cinema and Chinese Cinema for that matter.  I have not seen "Afterlife" though, but I'm always interested in expanding my base.  If you have not seen "The Human Condition" trilogy, give that a try.</i> Have you seen “Afterlife?” It’s a brilliant Japanese film about the time spent waiting between the two worlds of life and death. It’s in my top ten list of best films, you should check it out if you get a chance.

Rob,  I could write a whole book of Blogs about my love of Japanese Cinema and Chinese Cinema for that matter.  I have not seen “Afterlife” though, but I’m always interested in expanding my base.  If you have not seen “The Human Condition” trilogy, give that a try.

]]> By: Phillip http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-5 Phillip Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:56:11 +0000 https://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-5 Hey Josh, The movie club thing is not a bad idea at all. I like the reintegration of the original idea of this being a journal for everyone to keep their ideas. Have assignments to complete by a certain time, and leave comments on my original thoughts. It's a wonderful idea. Even friends I have here in LA can hardly find time to do things like that together. I'm trying to remember... the "Films of Artistic" were the ones directed by Zhang Yimou. I imagine my first will be "Raise the Red Lantern". I'll start putting together this idea though. Truly inspiring my friend. Hey Josh,

The movie club thing is not a bad idea at all. I like the reintegration of the original idea of this being a journal for everyone to keep their ideas. Have assignments to complete by a certain time, and leave comments on my original thoughts. It’s a wonderful idea. Even friends I have here in LA can hardly find time to do things like that together.

I’m trying to remember… the “Films of Artistic” were the ones directed by Zhang Yimou. I imagine my first will be “Raise the Red Lantern”. I’ll start putting together this idea though. Truly inspiring my friend.

]]> By: Josh http://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-4 Josh Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:14:38 +0000 https://philzine.wordpress.com/2006/08/10/the-japanese-noir-of-takashi-miike/#comment-4 This is a great entry. I found Audition and I plan to watch it when I get a chance. The videos add a lot to this analysis, and definitely make me want to see more. I'm glad to read about his other movies as well. I've always said that you have an intuitive and powerful insight into the structure and force of storytelling, and this entry is further proof. One day the world may see the "Ebert & Kelly: At The Movies"--but of course Ebert may be a robot or brain-in-a-jar by that time. All the more interesting. I don't think I'd heard of Miike before, so thanks. You remain my only real source for excellent films--especially foreign. Keep it up. PS: Did you ever watch those 'Films of Artistic?' Maybe we could plan to watch one the same weekend and then talk about it that next week. That might be fun since we're not in the same city. Others could do it too, I suppose, like book club, but with less commitment. This is a great entry. I found Audition and I plan to watch it when I get a chance. The videos add a lot to this analysis, and definitely make me want to see more. I’m glad to read about his other movies as well.

I’ve always said that you have an intuitive and powerful insight into the structure and force of storytelling, and this entry is further proof. One day the world may see the “Ebert & Kelly: At The Movies”–but of course Ebert may be a robot or brain-in-a-jar by that time. All the more interesting.

I don’t think I’d heard of Miike before, so thanks. You remain my only real source for excellent films–especially foreign.

Keep it up.

PS: Did you ever watch those ‘Films of Artistic?’ Maybe we could plan to watch one the same weekend and then talk about it that next week. That might be fun since we’re not in the same city. Others could do it too, I suppose, like book club, but with less commitment.

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