A Glimpse into the Japanese Mind?

More than a glimpse into the Japanese Mind, this film transcends ethnic or national boundaries by presenting a theme that is universal: Grief after unexplained loss. It's much the same kind of grief experienced on an ongoing basis, by the families and friends of the 9-11 victims.

The concept of harakiri is something very different than the deaths in this film. Although still suicide, harakiri is considered an understandable way to die, often to prevent potential (or further) disgrace to family, because of some indiscretion. Rather than sudden and unexpected deaths, harakiri is viewed by Japanese as an intensely and lengthily thought-out act. Among the most famous individuals to have ended life this way was Yukio Mishima, the Japanese author who wrote "A Sailor's Fall from Grace with the Sea."

Maboroshi no Hikari presents the grief of one who comes to this fishing village after having suffered two personal and unresolved - and unexplained - losses: Her grandmother and her husband. To the main character, life has become fragile and without comfort. In her grief, however, this new family has taken her in and given her the latitude to try to resolve these issues for herself and for her son. At the end, she learns - from her husband's apparently wise counsel - that sometimes these things happen and that there could be something (maboroshi - a phantom) compelling those victims to do what they did.

It's complex movies, to be sure. What makes it most interesting is that Makiko Esumi is the actress who did Pistol Opera and the TV series Shomuni, both very different - and much lighter weight - roles than her role in this film.

vmwrites

this film has nothing to do with harakari and the notion that japanese ppl are predisposed towards suicide because of that history is just absurd. the film more likely responds to increased rates of suicide due to the socio-economic strife of the 90s

Where's my elephant?