I knew nothing about PORTRAIT OF HELL when I gave it a shot, and I'm glad of that now. An interesting tale of the consequences of greed, pride, stubbornness, and racism - all told through the story of an artist and an emperor. The story takes place at a time in feudal Japan where the aristocrats and rulers were rich, but the local people were starving in the streets. This "feast-or-famine" society is the backdrop for the film...
Yoshihide is the most talented artist in the area. He's also a stubborn hard-ass who has nothing but contempt for the local ruler - but realizes that he is under his command and thus stays in his "place" for the most part. The Paramount Lord is a greedy and self-centered bastard who thinks he is Gods gift to the world, literally - but understands Yoshihide's talent, and thus let's him get away with a little more than the average citizen. In a strange way, the two have a begrudging "respect" for each other, though they really hate each other's guts. Yoshihide runs off his daughters boyfriend, and during a chance encounter, the Paramount Lord meets her and makes her his concubine. This of course does not sit well with Yoshihide, who begs the Lord for his daughter back. The Lord refuses - unless Yoshihide can paint a suitable mural for his mansion. The Lord wants a portrait of heaven and paradise - whereas Yoshihide wishes to paint a hell-scene, as he is downtrodden by the treatment of the local people. The Lord eventually grants Yoshihide the opportunity to paint whatever he would like, but as the two do battle through words and trickery - the price that either may end up paying may far outweigh the saving of their pride...
PORTRAIT OF HELL is a strong film that deals effectively with several subjects at once. Both Yoshihide's and the Paramount Lord's pride and stubbornness ultimately become their downfall - which has always been a fitting lesson. The side-story of Yoshihide's refusal for his daughter to date a non-Korean boy, and the results thereof, is a brief touch on the consequences of racism. But even with all the "moral-of-the-story" type things going on in the film, it never becomes overbearing. PORTRAIT OF HELL is still an entertaining film with a strong "twist" ending that brings everything home. Overall, I would recommend this film to fans of "classic" Asian cinema or those who would just like a break from the norm. Also of note are the beautiful sets, very good acting, and some very decent visual FX for the time-frame. Definitely worth a look - 8.5/10
Yoshihide is the most talented artist in the area. He's also a stubborn hard-ass who has nothing but contempt for the local ruler - but realizes that he is under his command and thus stays in his "place" for the most part. The Paramount Lord is a greedy and self-centered bastard who thinks he is Gods gift to the world, literally - but understands Yoshihide's talent, and thus let's him get away with a little more than the average citizen. In a strange way, the two have a begrudging "respect" for each other, though they really hate each other's guts. Yoshihide runs off his daughters boyfriend, and during a chance encounter, the Paramount Lord meets her and makes her his concubine. This of course does not sit well with Yoshihide, who begs the Lord for his daughter back. The Lord refuses - unless Yoshihide can paint a suitable mural for his mansion. The Lord wants a portrait of heaven and paradise - whereas Yoshihide wishes to paint a hell-scene, as he is downtrodden by the treatment of the local people. The Lord eventually grants Yoshihide the opportunity to paint whatever he would like, but as the two do battle through words and trickery - the price that either may end up paying may far outweigh the saving of their pride...
PORTRAIT OF HELL is a strong film that deals effectively with several subjects at once. Both Yoshihide's and the Paramount Lord's pride and stubbornness ultimately become their downfall - which has always been a fitting lesson. The side-story of Yoshihide's refusal for his daughter to date a non-Korean boy, and the results thereof, is a brief touch on the consequences of racism. But even with all the "moral-of-the-story" type things going on in the film, it never becomes overbearing. PORTRAIT OF HELL is still an entertaining film with a strong "twist" ending that brings everything home. Overall, I would recommend this film to fans of "classic" Asian cinema or those who would just like a break from the norm. Also of note are the beautiful sets, very good acting, and some very decent visual FX for the time-frame. Definitely worth a look - 8.5/10