Another day another Ōshima. This time starring the members of a famous folk group in Japan at the time, The Folk Crusaders. Who to their credit, do really well in this Ōshima comedy(?). Certainly the most comical of any Ōshima I have seen thus far. Kato, Kitayama and Hashida are the stars of the show (as intended seeing as how they were famous at the time), but they really do not disappoint. Being able to pull off some good gags while also doing decent serious acting at times.
While this is certainly the most comical of Ōshima, he still does not shy away from discussing topics familiar to his films, here being anti-Korean prejudice in Japan, war and modern Japan. This is probably most similar thematically to Death by Hanging, though much less pronounced here (and even containing an appearance from lead star of Death by Hanging Do-yun Yu in a pretty silly interview sequence). Three Resurrected Drunkards mainly tackles racial identity and Japanese hypocrisy towards their Korean brethren.
The film is very vibrant and even fun, which is impressive with the message Ōshima is conveying being so serious. This doesn't mean that Ōshima doesn't pull some of his classic storytelling tricks though. Pulling a bit of a mind bending "twist" mid way through that may have you checking to see if something went wrong with the stream. All of that to say that this is a solid outing for Ōshima, fusing serious social commentary with humor and experimental filmmaking in a very interesting and refreshing way. Worth the watch.
If you're not sold yet, imagine if the Beatles made an experimental new wave film. This is basically Japan's version.
Another day another Ōshima. This time starring the members of a famous folk group in Japan at the time, The Folk Crusaders. Who to their credit, do really well in this Ōshima comedy(?). Certainly the most comical of any Ōshima I have seen thus far. Kato, Kitayama and Hashida are the stars of the show (as intended seeing as how they were famous at the time), but they really do not disappoint. Being able to pull off some good gags while also doing decent serious acting at times.
While this is certainly the most comical of Ōshima, he still does not shy away from discussing topics familiar to his films, here being anti-Korean prejudice in Japan, war and modern Japan. This is probably most similar thematically to Death by Hanging, though much less pronounced here (and even containing an appearance from lead star of Death by Hanging Do-yun Yu in a pretty silly interview sequence). Three Resurrected Drunkards mainly tackles racial identity and Japanese hypocrisy towards their Korean brethren.
The film is very vibrant and even fun, which is impressive with the message Ōshima is conveying being so serious. This doesn't mean that Ōshima doesn't pull some of his classic storytelling tricks though. Pulling a bit of a mind bending "twist" mid way through that may have you checking to see if something went wrong with the stream. All of that to say that this is a solid outing for Ōshima, fusing serious social commentary with humor and experimental filmmaking in a very interesting and refreshing way. Worth the watch.
If you're not sold yet, imagine if the Beatles made an experimental new wave film. This is basically Japan's version.
