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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
absolution, October 20, 2001
This review is from: Himatsuri [VHS] (VHS Tape)
One of cinema history's most tragic examples of a filmmaker who never lived up to his promise, Yanagimachi's "Himatsuri" is a burning, haunting experience. Combining obscure imagery and Shinto references along with odd, bold leaps in tone the director crafts a singular and astounding work illuminating the disasterous results of man's severing his ties with nature. Taking a true life inexplicable murder/suicide in a remote Japanese fishing community as its platform, Yanamiguchi creates a fusion of image, sound and montage (coupled with Toru Takemitsu's chillingly primal score) that shows a real mastery of film form. But "Himatsuri" is not just form without content: beneath it all lies a message that is still very relevant as society progresses forward towards its digital future. A bonified masterpiece, there's never been anything quite like it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
About man's destructiveness, January 19, 2006
This review is from: Himatsuri [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Strange and at times confusing, it's about man's destruction particularly of nature, but also of himself. A self-centered lumberman (played by Kinya Kitaoji) owns property in the heart of an area developers want to convert into a marine park; he refuses to sell out. Money and sex are used to try to "convince" him to sell, to no avail. But relatives decide to make the sale, and Kitaoji can't stop it. He has a religious "revelation" with the goddess of the mountains (these are simple country folk and the scene seems perfectly normal), and the message he gets from the goddess is to kill his family and then himself, which he carries out shortly thereafter. The movie ends there and we're left only with that to mull over (it's based on a true story). The major fault with the movie is that director Kenji Nakagami is too self-consciously "artsy" and convolutedly "clever" in making his point that people are destructive. It has the feel of being merely an academic exercise. Kitaoji is a fine actor, however, and Nakagami shows potential for better things.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
One Man's Descent Into Brutal Madness!, February 11, 2007
This review is from: Himatsuri [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"Himatsuri," is not a film for everyone. If anything the film can be very slow and confusing at times. However, for those who have seen a number of Japanese films: I recommend this particular film with caution. The film was directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi, and is accompanied with the haunting and primal musical score of Toru Takemitsu. The film takes place at an isolated fishing village which is trying to modernize. But modernization comes with a price. At the center of this modernization we are introduced to the films main antagonist, Tatsuo (Kinya Kitaoji).
Tatsuo is a Shinto, as are his neighbors who want the land he owns to be sold to help with this new marine park. However, Tatsuo is very stubborn and refuses to sell out. Moreover, he is very self-destructive by nature. A nature I might add which will end in violence for this isolated village. As the viewer of this film, you may have a difficult time empathizing with his character: Tatsuo is not a likable person. The film itself was based on an actual event, which was culled from the novel by Kenji Nakagami. I have not read the novel, therefore, I cannot tell you if the film and novel correspond.
The films main theme that there is a seperation between man and nature is not lost on the viewer. Modernization is not easy, and progress does not always lead to a better community seems to be the films main message. Yet, the films main antagonist, and the villagers do not seem to gain much sympathy in their mistreatment of nature. And especially with the way they each interact with one another: At least in my opinion. The film has some very beautiful cinematography which is breathtaking in itself. This film may appeal to some viewers, and not others. Therefore, I recommend the film with caution. Rent it first.
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