Intentions of Murder (Akai satsui)
Directed by Shohei Imamura
Written by Keiji Hasebe and Shohei Imamura; story by Shinji Fujiwara
1964/Japan
Nikkatsu
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] I am interested in the relationship of the lower part of the human body and the lower part of the social structure on which the reality of daily Japanese life obstinately supports itself. — Shohei Imamura[/box]
Two and a half hours of misery was too much for me no matter how interestingly shot.
Sadako Takahashi is a plump housewife and mother of a six-year-old. Her mother-in-law and husband treat her like a servant. In fact, she has never been listed in the family register and thus is not legally either a wife or mother. One day, Hiraoko breaks into the house while she is alone and robs and rapes her. She tells no one and decides the only way out is suicide. She is unsuccessful.
Things get worse as Hiraoko keeps coming back for more. He eventually declares his love but she resists. After some time, Sadako falls pregnant. She is unsure of the identity of the father as her husband also has joyless sex with her regularly. This leads to more thoughts of suicide and/or murder. In the meantime, her husband’s mistress is spying on her encounters with Hiraoko with a camera. The ending came as a surprise to me.
This film is strikingly shot with some unforgettable images. There is a dream sequence in which Sadako is pushed off a train and goes flying into space that is incredible. In fact, many sequences straddle the line between imagination and reality. I think I missed a lot. I will never get a chance to fully analyze the film though, because I can’t see ever watching it again.
Clip – no subtitles but the camera work alone is worth seeing
Yet to see this one so can’t comment.
Noticed that you don’t have these two which are similar in some ways ( that is to each other, no comment re Intentions of Murder), both with good stories and excellent camerawork. I’d grade them as maybe not A but certainly B+
Shitamachi no taiyô (1962) 6.6
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1144814/
Kyûpora no aru machi (1962) 7.4
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228499/
This from a comment is perfect –
“Like many traditional Japanese stories, rather than a detailed plot and build-up, we are seeing more a snapshot of life, rather like dropping in on some acquaintances, getting to know them just a little, then bidding them farewell, forever wondering what became of them. This is the movie’s strength, as the ending leaves you wondering what comes next.”
Liked the first one better despite the lower IMDB ranking.
Fans of Japanese cinema esp of that period would do well to give them both a view.
I can’t comment on the two you mentioned will have to look them up sometime. Intentions isn’t strictly speaking a bad film. Just too misanthropic for my taste.
I’ll add another, just seen tonight. Again not A but B+. More modern, 1977.
I’ll be vague to avoid spoilers – a tale of a somewhat ordinary life in a country under change, can a traditional occupation/caste survive? Large in scale, well played, shot and told, ending somewhat abrupt IMHO would be the only con. I think this one will “stick” in my head for a long time.
Hanare goze Orin AKA Ballad of Orin 7.5
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076124/
Again, added for fans of Japanese cinema. I hope you will for give me Bea for piggybacking on your good work.
Piggy back all you want. I only wish I had the time to see all your reccos. Someday!
Thanks for the permission.
Can’t resist…as soon as I saw “Someday” this started playing between my ears.