This blog entry is part of my “movie year countdown”. To read more about that check out my first Spout filmblog entry.
Kenka erejii (Fighting Elegy)
I've fallen in love with this movie, and I think with Seijun Suzuki as well.
Apparently he was excited to direct this movie because it reminded him much of his youth. I don't know too much about Japanese culture through recent history, but am learning more by seeing more movies. This was made in the mid 60's but is about the 30's.
I can't remember hardly ever seeing any Catholic or any Christian imagery or culture in Japanese movies. I'm not sure if I was surprised by this, but for some reason even though I am neither I find a strong affinity to movies with Catholic or Japanese culture or iconography.
Suzuki has the most wonderful mix of drama, action, and weird humor. Maybe it's part of the same appeal I get from some anime, but the mix of the adolescent sexual frustration, goofy characters, and violent action connects with me.
Apparently this movie only covers the first half of the book, and Suzuki was hoping to make a second movie to finish the story out. I lament that this never happened, but I was glad I decided to rent this gem.
Rating: 10/10