Himizu

Himizu uses the tsunami which destroyed Fukushima in Japan, as a backdrop, to tell the tragic story of two fourteen year old kids, Sumida and Keiko, who are classmates at school where they are trying to survive both the storms aftermath, and extremely indifferent parents. Sumida is abandoned by a drunken father and a mother of questionable morals, and Keiko suffers from an equally poor family life. It should be kismet, but, trust me, it is anything but, as we watch many bad things happen to good people for two hours and ten minutes. The lead actor and actress are tremendous, but the story meanders at times and becomes a bit tiring by the end. The message seems to be one of survival at any cost, and I recommend Himizu based on the two excellent main actor and actress.

Sion Sono is a master at capturing darkness, and this one is intense. If you have been through dark phases or your soul is overwhelmed with darkness, this movie will hit you hard.

Personally, I was stunned by how real this seemed to me although it's so extreme compared to my reality. The character development of Sumida and how he's gradually consumed by darkness, his reactions, his rage, it makes sense and it's heartbreaking.

However it inspired me in a good way, it doesn't necessarily give you hope, but it made me feel less alone.

I enjoyed every second of it and I didn't want it end.

Thank you Sion Sono for all your great art.

Some of you already know I'm a huge fan of Love Exposure, but I hadn't seen anything else from Sono until this, so I was greatly anticipating it. It's set in post-tsunami Japan, and this setting is not only a context but a very important part of the plot, perhaps too much so especially at the ending when the film turns a little into a moralizing or even propaganda piece, with the main character crying "Don't give up!" repeatedly while we see images of the ravages of the flood. I gotta say those last minutes moved me to the verge of tears though, but that has more to do with how it builds up and connects previous elements shown in the film in a rather messy way. But I think that's the Sono way, with quick shots and thoughts put together, unexpected transitions, poetry mixed up with violence, sometimes inscrutable characters... This film also has some powerful cinematography going for it, with thinned down and warm colors, probably with some filter involved or maybe just postproduction grading to create this beautiful effect. Also worthy of notice is the soundtrack, with pieces from Mozart and Barber that enhance the poignancy of the film.

So in the end it's a tragic and also hopeful love story, with different situations involved that make true sense only towards the end. It has some disturbing scenes, with parents who want their children dead or people who want to kill other people in the street for no rational reason... Situations that are quite effective in portraying not only the material but also the moral and mental damages that can be caused by such an event as last year's tsunami. Still, it's no match to Love Exposure, and I don't think anything else from Sono is/will be.

****

Himizu is nothing short of a tragic drama. Our main character, Simadu, lives in a violent and dismal reality. He is neglected and physically abuse by his self serving parents and while his father comes and goes his mother eventually abandons him. A female classmate, Keiko, comes from a difficult environment of her own but has a major crush on Simadu and wants to help him. Their situations are extremely volatile yet Keiko has hope for the future and will not let Simadu let his circumstances deter him from believing he can dream and make plans for a future that will be far removed from where they currently are. (Not sure if I spelled those names right so forgive any mistake.)

This was just a bleak, depressing and straight up sad film. I know that our cultures are different but I can say that there were things happening in full view of others that I just couldn't believe. I just couldn't be a spectator to someone abusing a child but it seemed like others thought it best to mind their own business. Whew! It was rough for me to watch that. I was ready to open a can on some of these adult bullies and the by-standards who failed to step in.

I don't think it would be a stretch to say that this isn't going to be a film for everyone. It is a bit long and it felt tedious at times. The two lead actors did a great job with their roles. It also seemed to be filmed well but I noticed some audio issues and I understand that it may have simply been a problem with the media I chose to use.

I didn't love this but I didn't hate it either. The story was super dark and not as balanced as I would've like to have seen. It served me well for a night on the couch but it's not going to be a film that I watch again. If you chose to watch it just be prepared for a slow and dark drama.

This one - like The Land of Hope, for example - is a difficult one. Why? Because if it was from the hands of some famous Chinese, Japanese and mainly Korean directors, it would be praised as a masterpiece, but as it comes from Sono, it's different from what people expect and divide opinions.

It's a fantastic film, a great exercise of growing up with all the adversities against you, showing us how dysfunctional families can affect our future, even if we have dreams and want to fight for your dreams - this affects both of the main characters, but we also see how each of them react differently to different circumstances, just like in real life.

I expected that, by now, most people should have already know that there isn't a single Sion Sono. I am lucky to love all of them. To love the crazy Sono (who reminds sometimes Miike, but funnier and more consistent) and love the introspective Sono (sharing a lot with the Korean new wave, or even with some Chinese and Japanese dramas from the 80s/90s). But if you just love the crazy Sono, you should know that this other Sono is not for you. You can't be expecting the same on this type of movies.

I will mention again The Land of Hope to explore how Sono, one more time, can show us not only the family drama, but also, at the same time, criticise some aspects of the Japanese society, as, per example, how the society treats the people who lost everything (there is a great subplot about this with a fantastic interpretation by the veteran Tetsu Watanabe) or how schools can be cruel to a lot of young people.

Overall, I am one of the few who, in fact, prefers The Land of Hope - the balance between the elderly couple, the land, and the young couples was perfect, for me - but I think that Himizu should be much more praised than it is.