Audition

Audition is perplexing and ambiguous, with a variety of interpretations, each possible in their own way. My general interpretation, considering Miike stated the torture is not conjured Aoyama's mind, is that the film is making a statement towards the idealism and objectification of women through the lens of blindness when faced with the reality of the individual. Aoyama creates an image of Asami in his mind that becomes so rigid and sensational that he chooses to ignore her true nature and the abuse she faced in the past. Only does this come to light when Aoyama faces his guilt and the true reality of his relationship with Asami towards the end in the dream like visions he has. This is to show the way in which the entire film prior is the part that is imagined. Aoyama made his mind up about Asami from the moment he saw her file (hinting towards the shallow understanding of women which men often possess) and would make sure his story would play out exactly the way he wanted to, with her meek and submissive nature at the forefront in the first act. Asami possessing agency and assertion was not part of this, so he ignored it, pushing it all from his mind inro blissful ignorance, which we see him choose to return to instead of facing his true nature, which kills him ultimately. The viewer lives Aoyamas dream and perception until it's too late. This could all be seen as a statement about how women's issues are ignored as they don't align with men's ideal perceptions. This then means these issues lead to violence, hurting more people in the process. Asami uses this to achieve her retribution against a society that has never viewed her as anything more than an object, thrusting those expectations upon men (loving only their husband etc.) I'll probably have a completely different interpretation next time I view this film and maybe read the book, and I do think its ambiguity holds it back a little, but Audition is still a total mind-fuck. Not my favourite Miike, but still phenomenal.