Part of LACMA’s In the Realm of Oshima series, The Sun’s Burial is one of those sought after Japanese New Wave films that I haven’t seen, but only have read about, and since, lusted after. Shown via a new 35mm print, this is a not-to-miss flick. 7:30, $10. It’s a double feature with Night and Fog in Japan at 9:10, ticket price includes the second film.
Technorati Tags: LACMA, Oshima, The Sun’s Burial, film, Japanese Film, In the Realm of Oshima, Night and Fog in Japan, double feature, film series
My favorite Oshima film is “The Man Who Shot His Will on Film” which-in my reading-was trying to transcend the political into the mysterious. “Night and Fog” flew over my head…you need some background history to understand the plot. “Cruel Story of Youth”(which could also be called “Woman Taken on A Giant Log”) was also from this era and gets my thumbs up–imagine love on the run, but instead of the instant thrill/sudden death plot, it’s an intolerably hot summer night and you’re nervously sending your girlfriend out to get a pack of smokes knowing she may get caught. I’m going to make a generalization and say a lot of New Wave Japanese Cinema is astonishingly downbeat-charting the many colors of powerlessness.
I think Oshima’s work from this era is more appealing than his sourpuss counterpart Shohei Imamura-simply because he a has a more playful visual approach that keeps you engaged.
And that’s my black turtleneck talk for the day!
Thanks for the tip Mr. Marshall! As you can see I’m still learning the cannon of great Japanese film.
All Japanese storytelling has a downbeat aspect – wouldn’t want anyone to rise too far above their station, would we.
Sun’s Burial was amazing. It’s a total window into postwar desperation and class/generation issues in Japan. I didn’t stay for Night and Fog, but I think I’d have no trouble following it, but I’m pretty well read on post-war Japanese political movements. Most Americans have no picture of Japan after the war and occupation besides being an endless supplier of transistor radios.