Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Sanshô dayû

Shanso the Bailiff
(Kenji Mizoguchi, 1954)

Family (royal) torn asunder, sold into servitude.

Second viewing of this fellow. Amazing stuff. Pretty freakin' heavy tho. I can see where most aren't going to like since they'll have to think while watching. Makes a stitch of sense why the ancient French dug on this shiz. Feminist types should enjoy for study of women's role in JP society. Heavy on social commentary on other levels as well. Might be the first old JP film I've seen where I did not recognize any of the actors. Feels longer than it is. BEAUTIFULLY shot. Dialog is pretty sharp, recall the same for umm... what was it... Ugetsu monogatari (which got me a bit emotional and the Books have sampled).

RECOMMENDED (but more for academically minded)

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