MovieChat Forums > Kikujirô no natsu (2000) Discussion > Question about the scary man

Question about the scary man

posted 18 years ago by Murdoch584
13 replies | jump to latest

A lot of criticism has been directed towards this wonderful movie by people who feel that the "scary man" sequence is uneasy at best. Initially, I sided with this group of people. Then I heard that the character of Kikujiro was somewhat modeled after Kitano's own father (whose name was Kikujiro, if I'm not mistaken).

My question is as follows: Does anyone know if Kitano was ever attacked by a child molester and if his dad saved him? I know the question sounds a bit coarse but I feel he must have some reason for putting it in the move. Also, he utilizes a similar circumstance in Zatoichi. Is he making a criticism of child molesters or is he trying to make people more aware of it? Or both. If anyone has any ideas, do tell.

Incidentally, I should note that I enjoy this movie more every time I see it (as with Kitano's other movies for that matter) and this post is by no means a criticism of the movie.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Murdoch584 17 years ago

Thanks for the reply! The more I think about it, the more that sequence makes it seem like real life as opposed to a movie. In the end, it's personal preference. As someone smarter than I put it (I don't remember offhand, go figure) "Not all truths are pleasant."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Captainbadd 17 years ago

First, I think it's important to note that the "lighthearted" way in which the scenes are handled in both films are characteristic of Kitano's style. In all his films I have seen, he takes tragic, serious situations and makes them just a little absurd, so that we the audience can stomach them more easily, perhaps. Even some of his more "hardboiled" movies like Sonatine, involve some degree of silliness/humor to take the edge off the subject matter. It's his style, and I think is reflective of his views on life and its hardships.

In my opinion, both scenes in Kikujiro and Zatoichi are so closely related in terms of subject matter, that they have to be considered an emerging theme. Remember, he's doesn't seem to be speaking about pedophiles in general here, but rather those that prey on boys. To me, this also suggests some personal experience (either directly or indirectly) with a pedophile, as again, he's specific in his criticism towards a specific type, not just generally.

As far as it being "weird" to include such scenes in his films, I have to vigorously oppose that viewpoint. A lot of great art is born out of strife and hardship, and it's not at all uncommon for artists to speak out on their experiences through their work. People deal with hardship in different ways. And it may not have even happened to himself personally. Maybe he had a friend who was affected by it, and it's stuck with him? Who knows? But I think the evidence points to a more personal motivation, imo.

[–] DanceInMoonlight 11 years ago

Good post. Like you, I think Takeshi Kitano must feel strongly enough about the issue of pedophiles preying on boys to make it a recurrent theme in both Kikujiro and Zatoichi.

[–] aw6v 16 years ago

For me, this scene was crucial in portraying Kikujiro's changing attitude toward Masao; he begins by exploiting him, not really treating him as a person. In this episode, he begins to act like a caretaker. Or maybe, put another way, he begins to care. When Masao breaks down and cries from the trauma he's endured, Kikujiro apologizes for having been mean to him. His interaction with the world has not changed - he steals the child molester's wallet - but his relationship to Masao has changed. Question: why does Kikujiro strip for the child molester and put himself in the same position that Masao found himself in? I didn't understand that.

[–] handofaces-1 16 years ago

If you've seen as many Japanese films as I have, you will know that molestation and rape are issues always brought up in these films.

[–] rizz_0 16 years ago

Question: why does Kikujiro strip for the child molester and put himself in the same position that Masao found himself in? I didn't understand that.

I think he did this to embaress the molester, because the molester only wanted to do it to Masao. As the Kikujiro character is, he tries to intimidate alot throughout the film.

[–] brichtr1 16 years ago

i thought of him stripping for the child molester because in a way Kikujiro is also like a child. Of course he's not a little boy, so he can say no to the old man's creepy advances, but him stripping made me think he just didn't get it at first, he is a bit naive after all.

~Rhea

"To know about the Giggle Loop is to become part of the Giggle Loop"

[–] trpnallday 15 years ago

aaahhahahahahaha!!! the giggle loop!

[–] rosabelverde_1127 16 years ago

Question: why does Kikujiro strip for the child molester and put himself in the same position that Masao found himself in? I didn't understand that.

What's there to understand? Is sheer mockery so difficult to get? And a malicious mockery at that because he wants to baffle the guy into inattentiveness in order to snatch his wallet.

Regards, Rosabel

[–] Danzibar 13 years ago

Just because he is naive, like a child. He went back to see the guy and got fooled by him, hence the question "Now what?" - and the guy goes, "you know"...

[–] Kawada_Kira 11 years ago

Question: why does Kikujiro strip for the child molester and put himself in the same position that Masao found himself in? I didn't understand that.

It was sort of a "try and pull that sh!t with me now", "pick on someone your own size" sort of thing.

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