“I like to make messy films.”
–Shohei Imamura
Shohei Imamura was a Japanese film director. His interest as a filmmaker oftentimes showed the state of lower strata of Japanese society. He is also the only Japanese director so far to win TWO Palme d’Or awards. The first one for the 1983 The Ballad of Narayama and again in 1997 for The Eel.
Imamura was a key figure in the Japanese New Wave, that started during the 1950’s. A group of directors decided to reject traditional and classical Japanese cinema in favor of more traditional works that touched on the topic of taboo subjects like youth culture and the aftermath of World War II.
Here are four of Shohei Imamura’s award-winning movies.
Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
1. The Eel (1997)
The Eel
Shochiku/Mongrel Media
What’s It About: Takura Yamashita receives an anonymous note one day that says his wife is cheating on him. He decides to return home early one night to see if the note is true. He finds his wife in bed with another man. Yamashita gets angry and kills his wife in a fit of rage. Then he turns himself into the police. After eight years in prison, Yamashita is released and he returns to a small village to open up a barber shop. He brings along a pet eel and mainly talks to it, while ignoring conversations with other people. One day, Yamashita finds the unconscious body of Keiko Hattori, and she reminds him of his former wife. He offers Keiko a job in his shop but refuses to let her get close to him.
Starring: Koji Yakusho, Misa Shimizu, Mitsuko Baisho
Where To Watch: Available on DVD on Amazon
Watch The Trailer Here (Available Only In Japanese):
2. Insect Woman (1963)
What’s It About: Born in 1918, Tome was born in a poor, rural community. When she is older, Tome becomes a mistress with her next door neighbor, and goes to work in his factory during World War II. She bears him a daughter. While at the mill, Tome has an affair with the supervisor and decides to leave for Tokyo, to make her fortune. She leaves her daughter with her father. She gets a job at a brothel and discovers through prostitution, she can climb out of poverty.
Starring: Sachiko Hidari, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Tanie Kitabayashi
Where To Watch: The Criterion Channel
Watch The Trailer Here:
3. Dr. Akagi (1998)
Dr. Akagi
Toei Co. Ltd./Kino International
What’s It About: Dr. Akagi works on the small island in the Seto Inland Sea during World War II. He is looking for a cure for hepatitis epidemic. His campaigning is causing a riff with the Japanese Army. When the war starts to seem hopeless, Dr. Akagi finds himself becoming increasingly used as a scapegoat.
Starring: Kumiko Aso, Akira Emoto, Ayumi Itos
Where To Watch: Available on DVD on Amazon
Watch The Trailer Here: (Only Available In Japanese)
4. Zegen (1987)
What’s It About: In 1901 Hong Kong, a Japanese immigrant, Iheji Muraoka, dreams of nothing more than to be a simple shopkeeper. While working as a barber, Muraoka gets recruited as a spy against the Russians. He accidentially becomes a human trafficker, Iheji decides to set up brothels across Europe to help benefit the Emperor. Eventually his business spans across Southeast Asia.
Starring: Ken Ogata, Mitsuko Baisho, Norihei Miki
Where To Watch: Apple TV, You Tube, Google Play Movies & TV
Watch The Trailer Here:
