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References to Japanese film history and Machiko Kyo

posted 17 years ago by Steamboy
8 replies | jump to latest

There are definitely some references to famous Japanese films in Millenium Actress, I found three, I know there's more. The ones I noticed:

- The first time we switch to a jidaigeki setting, when the castle is attacked and her husband the lord is dead, is a reference to Kumonosu-jo by Akira Kurosawa. There's that same scene when arrows rain on one character (Toshiro Mifune's character in the film). There's also the scene with the witches in the film.

- Obviously the big monster refers to Gojira. The first film by Inoshiro Honda was directed at the same period, in the mid-fifties. And the humans use the same types of vehicles with lasers.

- The poster of the Madonna film reminded of an actual film which has a very similar poster, but I don't remember which one it is... perhaps a film by Ozu or Naruse ?

(- The sci-fi film also share similarities with 2001; the moon base, the space suit...)

While watching, I actually thought Chiyoko's character could be somewhat base on Machiko Kyo, a famous Japanese actress. She was born in 1924 and is still alive. She played in 70 films and many classics. Actually, Chiyoko probably like a character summarizing all these great Japanese actresses from the 50's.

Do you know other references ?

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[–] MrVibrating 16 years ago

The only one that stood out to me was the witch from "Throne of Blood". Really creepy, by the way. Watching this movie made me realise I've missed 50 years of Japanese movie history.

NEO-MANHATTAN IS GOING TO E·X·P·L·O·I·T

[–] tribblewing 16 years ago

You're on the right track when you think that Chiyoko's character must've been based on a real Japanese actress. Dir. Kon was questioned about this, and he's acknowledged that that actress is Setsuko Hara.

Here's the actual quote from an interview with "DVD Vision Japan": "Setsuko Hara is somewhat similar to this concept as an actress who abruptly retires and disappears from the screen. I also had the image of Hideko Takamine, who had offered bright hopes to the nation in postwar Japan."

And here's another quote from a May 2007 interview at a Portuguese blog, "PAPO DE BUDEGA": "I had the image of Setsuko Hara, one of Japan’s great actresses who quit acting out of the blue, for Chiyoko, the protagonist of the movie. But it was merely a concept for the setting of the movie, and that’s all there is to it."

You're the first person I've heard to bring up the name Machiko Kyo.

[–] propatria_1985 15 years ago

Your reference to Kumonosu-jo is interesting for me, because I thought that her character referred to the evil princess in 'Ran', another film directed by Kurosawa.

[–] goodfellow408 15 years ago

I know this reference is to Chinese cinema and not Japanese, but the wraith's line "I love you more than I can bare.. I hate you more than I can bare.." is also said word for word by Jade Fox in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Is this a reference too, maybe? Or just coincidence? Crouching Tiger came out in 2000, and Millenium in 2001. But maybe that line is a classic line from something older..

--Josh--

[–] vickerman625 14 years ago

Also, if you listen to the Japanese audio and are familiar with Setsuko Hara, the voice and speaking manner of the old Chiyoko is uncannily similar.

[–] excel99 14 years ago

Well, as a someone fluent in Japanese, and a HUGE Setsuko Hara fan, I have to say I didn't hear much similarity in their voices, or in their manner of speaking.

I understand Chiyoko is loosely based on the career of Hara, but that's where any similarity ends.

[–] michaelbarraco 13 years ago

I specifically remember a scene that was very reminiscent of Ozu's camerawork. The two woman drinking tea, with that knee height unmoving camera.

[–] ohitika-1 8 years ago

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned "Twenty-Four Eyes" (the scene where Chiyoko plays a teacher).

Also, the scene where Chiyoko walks in snow and falls, reminded me of "The Human Condition".

Sorry for my English :)