I believe this is the first japanese film i have seen, and this is amazing, it made me cry like a baby. Now I'm wondering if there are any better japanese films than this? Or could you guys just recommend awesom japanese films in general? Thanks!
shareThere are these 2 samurai films that I really enjoyed.
When The Last Sword is Drawn.
Twillight Samurai.
And also check out the movies of the acclaimed Japanese director Takeshi Kitano.
Well, although I haven't had the pleasure to watch this movie yet, I can name you some Japanese movies that may suit your taste..
1.'After Life' directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. Well, I have watched most of his work and can safely say that they were all good.
2.'Eureka' directed by Shinji Aoyama. It's somewhat long but... worth watching it.
3.'Sway' directed by Miwa Nishikawa. It's simply great.
4.'Adrift in Tokyo' directed by Satoshi Miki. You won't regret watching it.
Well, check the IMDB for these movies for more information if you are really interested. After reading several reviews of 'Depatures', I thought the movie was similar in tone with above 4 films. Well, there are many more subdued, but not boring, Japanese films out there.
There are all sorts of Japanese films to follow up on...
The suggestions posted so far are for recent Japanese films. I'm not too up on them (although I can recommend Tokyo Sonata), but I'm sure they're things to check out. I wouldn't overlook older Japanese films, though - and Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, which is not only a classic, but has had quite a few "remakes" (Magnificent Seven and the Indian classic Sholay, the most popular movie in Indian history for about 25 years, are only two of them) is the granddaddy of them all.
There are the guilty pleasures of the Godzilla franchise, but the original Japanese version of Godzilla, w/o the severe editing and Raymond Burr (!), is actually a pretty well-done movie.
Satoshi Kon does anime, but mind-bending stuff, sometimes more like a live-action movie filmed as anime than Naruto redux. I'd check out Paprika or Paranoia Agent to start - and I'd leave any expectations of linear narrative at the door (LOL).
People go back and forth on Takashi Miike. I've only seen Sukiyaki Wetern Django (and I've heard it's pretty unique for him), but I thought it was funny.
And just to confuse you, Takeshi Kitano's Dolls requires some attention (and a little knowledge of bunraku plays), but it's a beautiful film.
There are a lot of other genres in Japanese films, and a lot to look out for: J-Horror, art film, pink film, regular anime, the list goes on. It really depends on what you're interested in.
thanks guys, i'll check up more on these film you've all recommended. Well i'm not exactly looking for films that embrace death or its values, but just japanese films which you find the best because i'm just trying to venture out of hollywood for a while, to see what other film cultures are like. So if there are any good japanese films, need not be of any genre, do recommend! thanks!
shareAccuracy of Death ( Shinigami no seido ), IMDB 1069238 - 2008
Kaneshiro plays a Grim Reaper who appears to his victims in human form and spends a week with them before deciding whether to off them or not.
Zatôichi, IMDB 0363226 - 2003
The blind masseur/swordsman comes to an town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda.
Maybe the best of all versions of this story of the blind masseur/swordsman
Taboo (Gohatto) , IMDB 0213682 - 1999
Right and Wrong, loyalty and ego in old Japan. Love between samurais
Dreams , IMDB 0100998 1990
Kurosawa, Akira his last fil. Cultfilm, 5 stories. Experimental.
Ballad of Narayama (Narayama bushiko), IMDB 0084390 - 1982
In a small village in a valley everyone who reaches the age of 70 must leave the village and go to a certain mountain top to die... Cultfilm
Actually, 'Dreams' was not Kurosawa's last film. He made two others before he died. Those being 'Rhapsody in August' (1991) and 'Madadyo' (1993).
shareI'm a Japanese but also though the same question as you had after watching "Departures" since, unfortunately, our interests are always on foreign films, putting Japanese films aside.. So, young generations including me do not know Kurosawa anymore..
BUT I have a recommendation. Watch Hayao Miyazaki's movies. They are animations, but every Japanese REALLY loves them all. You might not cry, but they will make your heart warm.
Following films are definitely masterpieces.
- Tonari no Totoro
- Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta
- Kaze no tani no Naushika
Actually, since you're Japanese, would you mind me asking whether, to your knowledge, the average Japanese on the street would know about Uchida Tomu (although they might not have seen his films), or if he's known only to hardcore film fans?
He's basically unknown in the West, and I wasn't sure if that was just international.
donnyhathaway57 on Mon Jun 29 2009 19:47:10 writes:
...BUT I have a recommendation. Watch Hayao Miyazaki's movies. They are animations, but every Japanese REALLY loves them all. You might not cry, but they will make your heart warm.I would have to agree. I don't think very long about Japanese movies before Miyazaki's name comes up. Tonari no Totoro is my favourite which was a hard act to follow, even for Miyazaki himself. It is my all-time favourite animation (and I tend to not have all-time favourites of anything). The others are good and have that Miyazaki attention to detail, but IMHO, they don't get that sublime sense of benevolence and superb imagination. Ponyo comes close, but it lacks the wonderful simplicity of Tonari no Totoro.
Following films are definitely masterpieces.
- Tonari no Totoro
- Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta
- Kaze no tani no Naushika
There is another great Japanese movie coming up. It is called "Tokyo Sonata". It is a great Japanese movie. Those who had watched Okuribito should also be liking this one. Don't miss it.
shareThe only other Japanese film I've seen is (previously mentioned) Dreams by Akira Kurosawa. I remember watching it in my history class back in high school. It was unlike any film I had ever seen, and it still is so. Just remember to be patient and open-minded when you get the chance to watch it.
shareThis might help, too:
The New York Asian Film Festival starts tonight. It usually has a good section of what's currently going on in Japan; if you take a look at the schedule you should get an idea of movies to track down (although you might have to rely on DVDs to see them).
www.subwaycinema.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/movies/19asia.html
(and no, I'm not linked to them)
Japanese films and Japanese culture rules! I really need to get over there.
Anyways I'd say Miyazaki, Kurosawa and Ozu while all older directors all have good films.