Through I seem to struggle to give Sato above a 4/5, I still contend that he is one of Japan's greatest & most important filmmakers. Every single one of his films is so masterfully done. Fantastic camera work (good god those closeup sunglasses shots), interesting plots, transgressive & important themes -- all done so meticulously as to not be too overbearing, but still function as the seams holding these works together.
Set during The Lost Decade, Sato examines the growing pharma companies sparked from post-war Japan, the fears of a possible impending drug crisis in the youth, along with the impending doom of the AIDS epidemic sparked across the sea. All set to the backdrop of, of course, a dingy, dirty Shinjuku. Souls wander, lost, hoping to find purpose in someone else -- be it pleasure, death, or just existing.
Finally nutted up and finished the Vol. 2 set. Didn't disappoint. Keep churning them out, VS, and I'll keep buying them. Sato is too important to leave forgotten.
Through I seem to struggle to give Sato above a 4/5, I still contend that he is one of Japan's greatest & most important filmmakers. Every single one of his films is so masterfully done. Fantastic camera work (good god those closeup sunglasses shots), interesting plots, transgressive & important themes -- all done so meticulously as to not be too overbearing, but still function as the seams holding these works together.
Set during The Lost Decade, Sato examines the growing pharma companies sparked from post-war Japan, the fears of a possible impending drug crisis in the youth, along with the impending doom of the AIDS epidemic sparked across the sea. All set to the backdrop of, of course, a dingy, dirty Shinjuku. Souls wander, lost, hoping to find purpose in someone else -- be it pleasure, death, or just existing.
Finally nutted up and finished the Vol. 2 set. Didn't disappoint. Keep churning them out, VS, and I'll keep buying them. Sato is too important to leave forgotten.
