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!

[hedliniv]

The TV series "Shogun" is really good and I think gives a unique outsider looking in perspective...great blu-ray release too!

[jthefrank]

For some reason this came to mind

[Blu-Velvet]

Get a few of Criterion's Eclipse series, especially Silent Ozu, Travels With Hiroshi Shimizu, First Films of Akira Kurosawa, Postwar Kurosawa, Masaki Kobayashi Against the System, the Warped World of Koreyoshi Kurahara, Nikkatsu Noir, and When Horror Came to Shochiku. There are also some good Mizoguchi and other Ozu films to check out, and many more!

[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:

[Sai]

Originally Posted by Red Dragon

...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!

One of my favourites as well, would love 5+ and The Taste of Tea on blu.

[HD Goofnut]

[Member-320773]

Ridley Scott's BLACK RAIN (1989) might fit your bill.