MovieChat Forums > Chi to hone (2004) Discussion > JAPAN FINALLY CHOOSES A KITANO MOVIE FOR...

JAPAN FINALLY CHOOSES A KITANO MOVIE FOR OSCAR

posted 19 years ago by dzong
10 replies | jump to latest

Japan recently announced that they will be submitting "Blood and Bones" as their national nominee to the 2006 Oscars. It will compete with about 60 other movies to be nominated for the five slots in the Best Foreign Film category. This is the first time Japan has nominated a gritty Beat Takeshi movie for the honor, since they have traditionally chosen samurai period stories, anime and a whole bunch of tearjerker dramas (the best of which, DARE MO SHIRANAI, deserved an Oscar nod last year).

I don't think Oscar will go for such a violent movies, but best of luck to Japan!!

[–] sljones44 19 years ago

I hope he wins too. It'd be nice to see him honored in his own country, after getting acclaim in other countries with Hana-bi.

[–] Darth_Vaux 18 years ago

It's official Takashi Kitano's "Blood & Bones" not nominated for best foreign language film at this year's Oscars. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Why don't we give Russell Crowe another Oscar for another weak-a$$ predictable performance, in another weak-a$$ movie. (I know he's not nominated but I hate the Academy anyways.)

The Academy wouldn't know good cinema if it crawled into bed with them and gave them a bad case of the clap.

Beat Takeshi ought to knock them all upside the head with a bat, Violent Cop style.

[–] armslover 18 years ago

"Beat Takeshi ought to knock them all upside the head with a bat, Violent Cop style."
That's why it wasn't nominated. Do you like Beat Takeshi's character? Do you agree or even condone all the things he did in the film (abuses his family, treats women like whores, cruel and heartless towards just about anyone that lives and breathes, and not once is he ever remorseful or apologetic of his actions)? Does his character have any redeeming quality to speak of? Can you seriously say with a straight face you respect him and everything he says and does?

You won't find many people that actually likes Kim, even though they may praise the movie for all its artistic and technical merits. He's 100% detestable.

And I doubt you're any expert on good cinema yourself.

[–] Darth_Vaux 18 years ago

First of all, you do realize that this is a fictional story, with aspects based in truth but fictional nonetheless. I thought the acting was fantastic, especially that of Takeshi Kitano as Kim Shun-Pei. Am I going to go out and try to recreate his abhorable deeds, no. Am I going to take inspiration in his cruel malicious actions, no. Did I enjoy the film and think that it has a valid place in world, YES and YES.

Here's a relevant quote from the Japan Times on Blood & Bones:

"Some of the best films are made about the worst, most pyschotically violent characters." - Mark Schilling

I can tell by your opinionated, close minded, holier-than-thou post that the film certainly affected you. Does this not make it a powerful film?

I am a huge fan of all of Kitano's work to date and have felt that he should have been givin the Oscar nod for several of his other films, this was the closest he has came so far and I think he certainly deserved it. I am not the only one that feels this way as it has already garnered several awards with or without your tunnel-visioned views there, "Ebert-without-the-paycheck".

Here are the awards Chi-to-Hone (Blood and Bones) has already won:

Japanese Academy Awards

Best Director: Yoichi Sai
Best Actress: Kyoka Suzuki
Best Supporting Actor: Jo Odagiri

It was nominated for 9 others including Best film. Not mention it won 10 other Japanese film awards including 2 best actor awards for Takeshi Kitano.

Judging by your post maybe you are better suited for watching films with cushier subject matter, until you learn to separate yourself from the characters and story.

"And I doubt you're any expert on good cinema yourself.", armslover.

[–] catalyst86 18 years ago

What's wrong with Russell Crowe?
I enjoyed the Cinderella Man.
And yeah, Darth Vaux you are DA L33T cinema expert. Happy?

[–] armslover 18 years ago

Nice to hear from you, dude. Behold your earlier post: "The Academy wouldn't know good cinema if it crawled into bed with them and gave them a bad case of the clap."

Compared to your response to my post: "...by your opinionated, close minded, holier-than-thou post..."

Like the pot calling the kettle black.

So what has the Japanese Academy Awards have to do with the American Oscars? Nothing! Nor vice versa.

"I am a huge fan of all of Kitano's work to date and have felt that he should have been givin the Oscar nod."
So you're speaking as a fan. That means your opinions are partial towards your favorite. You're peeved that your favorite does not get the accolade by the American-based Oscars you feel he deserves.

I've got news for you. Many foreign actors do not get any Oscar nods for foreign films, except in the one Foreign-Language Film category. Assuming we're talking of Kitano for acting. In the last 12 years of the Oscars, there are no more than 5 foreign actors nominated for Oscars (out of a possible total of 240 nominations). Take into account how many countries outside American that have an established film industry, and multiply that by the number of actors. Try opening your mind to that. It's astronomical!

Your beef is with the Oscars, not what awards Blood and Bones won in other countries' film awards. Sorry to disappoint you. American Oscars select almost exclusively American films. The Japanese Academy Awards likewise toward Japanese films. The odds have always been strongly against foreign-language films from any country of the world, not just the ones from Japan. Or the ones starring Kitano. And you're crying over that. So many talented actors in other countries don't get Oscar nods. You think his chances are better than theirs just because you're his fan???

Guess what else too? Almost all of the films nominated by the Japanese Academy don't get Oscar nods either.

[–] scn64 18 years ago

It's very rare that an actor in a foriegn-language film will get an acting nomination in American awards ceremonies. It would have to be for a film that so won over American film audiences that it made an impression on Hollywood/the Academy overall. This just doesn't happen much and they focus on American films anyway, so kind of a moot point, despite the quality of Blood and Bones.

And it is a quality film. It's long and harsh, but the film is made well and the acting is top-notch, despite the actions of the characters.

I was surprised at the intensity of the performances all around.

[–] mrmarzo 17 years ago

Actually Darth Vaux, this movie blood and bones is actually off of true events. Takeshi Kitanos character is based off a man thats technically 1st generation korean man that was living in Japan. Secondly Armslover you can't actually imply that because we hate the main character or we even think he is morally wrong doesnt mean this won't get awards or be nominated for any awards. It mos definitely it doesn't mean its a bad movie either. There are no rules in film and there shouldnt be any rules for films in film competitions.

[–] suz-mal 15 years ago

armslover, your a d#ick
Just because the protagonist isn't likeable doesnt mean it isnt a good film. Look at movies like Raging Bull. The main character is a complete *beep* but everybody still loves the film. You cant say it wasnt nominated because the character is an unlikeable and violent person because so many films revolve around crime and violent unlikeable peopl.

[–] truemoboy 15 years ago

It's OK. No point in arguing with armslover. He's the kind of guy who thinks "good cinema" is that which focuses on moral fiber, depicts goodness and ponies, and teaches us how to live. Like Flicka, et al.

He likes protagonists he wants to cuddle with. That's just his opinion and based on my prior experience with people who hold these kind of opinions, he's not equipped or prepared to be disabused of them. So let's just leave him alone.