Die Zeremonie (1971)
58KDie Zeremonie: Directed by Nagisa Ôshima. With Kenzô Kawarasaki, Atsuko Kaku, Atsuo Nakamura, Kiyoshi Tsuchiya. Upon receiving a shocking telegram from his cousin, a man recounts his early life, as a member of a broad family full of dark secrets that slowly reveal themselves through the clan ceremonies.
“I have seen this film in the late eighties, together with other Oshimau0026#39;s movies and I could collect only a vague impression of exoticism. This before I visited Japan, where I currently live.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI have seen it again last night and I can confirm that u0026quot;Gishikiu0026quot; portrays some of the most specific aspects of the Japanese culture. It is a movie deeply ingrained with the rebellion against traditional culture and family, which is typical of the late sixties-early seventies, not only in Japan, but also in Europe. The same can be said of the use of sexuality as a powerful device to offset the established values.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe powerful Sakurada clan is brought to ruin by the same force that keeps it together, the powerful grandfather. This happens in a sequence of rigidly choreographed family reunions, in occasions of funerals and weddings spanning several years following the end of the world. In this sense the world of the Sakuradas is so traditional that many scenes could be set in medieval Japan, with minor modifications in the dialogs and costumes. Ritual suicides and uncompassioned sex are recurring estranging events which follow and precede these ceremonies.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAt the end what has been taken away from the protagonist is his very childhood, and hence his possibility to exist as a human being.”
