It is better recommended to people either interested: in the dark side of Japan; in the second wave of Japanese directors (e.g. Oshima, Terayama, and other early Art Theatre Guild productions: it reminded me very much of Erosu + Gyakusatsu); who can bare philosophy, nihilism, etc.
It is an extremely serious, complex and intellectual movie, rather low budget (I heard the director shot over 4 years to get it complete), the acting is good, and it is over 3h. Shot (mainly) in black and white but with some inclusions of color. There is not much music too (mainly Bach or original music, the director Masahiro Tsuchihashi plays the bass). But music and colors have their importance.
The plot is something like: a nihilist and educated Japanese (I think he teaches French at the university) finds himself at the point where he cannot find any reason for living. He asks an ex-girlfriend of his to commit suicide with him. She accepts (that's Japan!). They find an isolated place to end there lives. But rather start discussing.
There is a lot of philosophy going on (about life, death, religion, etc.) Not only the actors are speaking but there are inter titles too. Although the last part is speechless.
I must say less people left the theater during the projection than during the Art Theatre Guild retrospective. But whether you can bare this "stream of truths" is up to you.
I enjoyed it, but you are warned.
It is an extremely serious, complex and intellectual movie, rather low budget (I heard the director shot over 4 years to get it complete), the acting is good, and it is over 3h. Shot (mainly) in black and white but with some inclusions of color. There is not much music too (mainly Bach or original music, the director Masahiro Tsuchihashi plays the bass). But music and colors have their importance.
The plot is something like: a nihilist and educated Japanese (I think he teaches French at the university) finds himself at the point where he cannot find any reason for living. He asks an ex-girlfriend of his to commit suicide with him. She accepts (that's Japan!). They find an isolated place to end there lives. But rather start discussing.
There is a lot of philosophy going on (about life, death, religion, etc.) Not only the actors are speaking but there are inter titles too. Although the last part is speechless.
I must say less people left the theater during the projection than during the Art Theatre Guild retrospective. But whether you can bare this "stream of truths" is up to you.
I enjoyed it, but you are warned.
