Japanese Culture: Which movies capture it?

[Engage]

Hey all, I'm just looking for a movie that really capture the spirit of the Japanese Culture or Japanese History.

Thanks for any help!

[Scottie]

[MifuneFan]

Yes, anything from Ozu first and firemost His themes are universal though, which is one of the reasons they're so great.

Next in line I would say look for the work of Immaura, who captured some of the more darker elements of Japan.

[jscoggins]

Gojira!

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Gojira!

Lol

[Vracer111]

[Sai]

Try Survive Style 5+ for the weirder side of Japanese mentality.

[Blu-21]

Seven Samurai.

[MifuneFan]

I'll list a few films I've seen that give some varied "slices" of Japanese life/culture at different points in time. Not all are on BD.

Grave of the Fireflies
Pigs and Battleships
Rhapsody in August
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
The Hidden Fortress
Seven Samurai
Floating Weeds
Late Spring
Life of Oharu
Late Autumn

[Red Dragon]

Originally Posted by Sai

Try Survive Style 5+ for the weirder side of Japanese mentality.

...one of the coolest films I've ever seen ...and the scary part is ...I actually understood what the film maker was trying to say!

[gilapimp]

Lost in Translation takes place in Tokyo and has some Japanese culture in it.

[steve_dave]

Before leaving for my study abroad in Japan, my professor had us watch Shall We Dansu. The original film before it got Richard Gere'd and she said it highlights a lot about the Japanese culture.

Examples:

You never pour your own drink if you are with a companion or companions.

You don't leave until the boss does. (There are exceptions to this now in some industries.)

I also recommend Tokyo, yeah its fantastical but a lot of the film touches on Japan's isolated and emotionally guarded culture.

[Al_The_Strange]

Aside from what's been mentioned:

• Kuroneko
• Lady Snowblood
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Ringu
• Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
• Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman

I also think Akira, High and Low, and Love Exposure are must-sees, but they're not so much about culture or history as they are about more post-modern (or, with Akira, straight-up futuristic) values and themes.

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Before leaving for my study abroad in Japan, my professor had us watch Shall We Dansu. The original film before it got Richard Gere'd and she said it highlights a lot about the Japanese culture.

Examples:

You never pour your own drink if you are with a companion or companions.

You don't leave until the boss does. (There are exceptions to this now in some industries.)

I also recommend Tokyo, yeah its fantastical but a lot of the film touches on Japan's isolated and emotionally guarded culture.

Good call. I was thinking about that one too, just didn't list it.

[BuckNaked2k]

I strongly recommend the films of Sion Sono:

[NLScavenger]

There is no real singular "Japanese cultural spirit" unless you want to believe all nihonjinron scholars. Japan is a very culturally heterogeneous country with lots of local cultures so watch as many films as you can.

I'm not really into Japanese cinema, but I must recommend this very bizarre gem even though it's not representative of Japan.


It's a region free German release with English subs, but copyright stuff at the startup is in 50hz so there is a big chance the disc might not work on your player. It also contains a making of, but for some stupid reason it has no subtitles in either German or English.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by NLScavenger

There is no real singular "Japanese cultural spirit" unless you want to believe all nihonjinron scholars. Japan is a very culturally heterogeneous country with lots of local cultures so watch as many films as you can.

I'm not really into Japanese cinema, but I must recommend this very bizarre gem even though it's not representative of Japan.


It's a region free German release with English subs, but copyright stuff at the startup is in 50hz so there is a big chance the disc might not work on your player. It also contains a making of, but for some stupid reason it has no subtitles in either German or English.

Damn it!!! Now I want Ramen. REAL RAMEN! Not that packaged dry noodle sodium nightmare crap that North American grocery stores stock on their shelves. Real, honest to goodness, professionally prepared Ramen!!! Thanks a lot!!!


P.S. Love me some early Ken Watanabe film work.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Engage

Hey all, I'm just looking for a movie that really capture the spirit of the Japanese Culture or Japanese History.

Thanks for any help!

Anything directed by Ozu .

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Anything directed by Ozu .

Can you imagine if Ozu directed Gojira?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Can you imagine if Ozu directed Gojira?

Lol

Originally Posted by Engage

Hey all, I'm just looking for a movie that really capture the spirit of the Japanese Culture or Japanese History.

Thanks for any help!

Do you mean contemporary Japanese culture or historical Japanese culture? Because I'm not sure how relevant Ozu or Kurosawa films are when it comes to reflecting what the modern day culture in Japan is like.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Can you imagine if Ozu directed Gojira?

The b&w original is a rather serious and melancholy film. It isn't Ozu, but it also isn't like the many sequels, which became garish, monster-mash kids films. If Ozu had directed Gojira it probably wouldn't be too far off the original.