writtenonthesky

This is an interesting story of unethical human/alien experimentation, anti-authorities, the hopelessly devastating situation...etc. The movie follows Wikus (Sharlto Copley, who did a completely mind-blowing performance) who is an MNU field operative and later turns into alien form because of exposure to the alien's liquid. Overpopulated District 9 has been located in Johannesburg, South Africa for 20 years. But after the place turned into a slum and deteriorated safety concerns increased so local people protested to be kicked out, MNU decided to lead the plan.

What I found interesting is the way humans treat aliens. They came to the earth so at least they are a cognitive entity, but the prawn leadership caste died of hunger and few can face humans equally now. MNU's policy is apparent because Wikus also treats them disrespectfully, he's very much under the influence of the company mentally and physically. This fact suggests that even if someone isn't an alien when we can't understand them or we think we are superior to them, we can treat them as such. So Vicki's turning into the alien form implies understanding what we regard as "uncivilized" or "primitive". And that's why it is important to focus on this seemingly random guy.

The science behind the alien's liquid aside, the alien's concept is very different from those of humans. They, Christopher at least, don't have trust issues because of how many times Vikus betrayed him when he attempted to help him. Compared to this humble attitude (being overly humble is his loss, though. Not everybody is a good person), Vikus altered his stance better once he realized Chris could fix him was selfish, hideous average human behavior.

There are so many ways how we face such an emergency...having a cup of tea with the alien in Arrival, fighting with them without tea in Alien, or governing them in District 9. But this movie felt like the most realistic one among them. After watching the ending, I can't decide if this is a love story or a pre-alien-invasion thriller. In a way, this is such a biopic for humans. Through the alien's perspective, we now know how cruel humans can be.

Overall it's a remarkably engaging, creative sci-fi thriller. But it just suggests tons of problems, solving nothing. So this is the first film I thought it needed the sequel.

"Isn't life disappointing?" "Yes, it is."

Shige the hairdresser (Haruko Sugimura) and Koichi the doctor (So Yamamura) don't have time to spend with their parents who visit Tokyo. So their sister-in-law, Noriko (Setsuko Hara) takes care of their parents.

I'm a Japanese in Tokyo. So here is my Tokyo story: for me, it's easier to watch Western films than this film which feels too familiar. People here are depressed and impolite because they have their responsibility. "Japanese is polite" is a myth. We can't even respect our family, like Shige and Koichi. Foreign people tend to mistake the Japanese as "racist", but the truth is we live on such a domestic island and barely see you in person, so we behave like a weirdo when it just feels a bit strange to see you in person. The school teaches us nothing except for useless math equations. And we have mommy/daddy issues as well. I remember I quarreled with my mom because she always asked me to do the chores despite her never asking the same for my brother. I asked her about gender roles, and she said that she didn't even think about it because it is so natural for her who grow up in a conservative, typical Showa family. Since then, she stopped asking me to do the chores. Of course, I don't have a right to be mad. Why could I have a right to be mad?? Sometimes it's easier to take care of strangers than family. We bow, but it does not necessarily show respect because we can do it without our hearts. We're humans as well. Sometimes the conversations with strangers are much more substantive than those with family. When I watched Barbie with her, she only said "Ryan Gosling was so cool." There are so many good things here, though. Everything is clean and I can walk alone at midnight without worrying about serial killers. Matsuri (it's like a festival related to god but far more casual so even atheists and tourists can attend) is so beautiful and magical (I'm not exaggerating. You should see it with your own eyes at least once. Actually, I'm writing this review listening to Taiko.)

I recently started to watch films outside my comfort zone, including this film. Watching it, I realized that I was biased, too. This film depicts complicated humanity in unique cinematography. The characters directly talk to the camera, and it's almost like breaking a 4th wall. Those showa people are human too. They indeed have gender roles but it's their standard and they have their own joy in life. They are very much "civilized". I'm disappointed in myself for having been aggressive with my mom without knowing anything a few years ago. Anyway, it's unrelated to this film. But when films resonate with personal stuff, I think it's a sign of a masterpiece.

We take our family for granted and gradually we can't even care about each other. So it's just too late when the grief knocks on the door. Noriko is always smiling. So when her smile disappeared, I was awed by how much grief she held.

I can't write deeper things because my thoughts were mixed by Ozu. So I just say I'll revisit this film after years.

Merricat (Taissa Farmiga) is an 18-year-old girl who lives in a castle-like apartment with her sister (Alexandra Daddario) and disabled uncle (Crispin Glover). When her cousin, Charles (Sebastian Stan) visited them, the truth gradually appears on the surface. It's a haunting, unique story. There is no "normal" person in it, which makes me wonder what is "normal." Somehow it reminds me of the depressed version of Tim Burton (if ever). The colors are stunning indeed. But the story was so dark and cynical that I couldn't feel any comfort.

However, I can't blame Merricat. Her father traumatized her and she's deeply suspicious of building relationships with people other than her sister. Her sister must have been an optimistic, social person but that incident changed her forever, and she is now an extreme pacifist, which only means she ignores everything that would be inconvenient for her. Their Uncle was also changed because he was poisoned. So I have to say Cousin Charles (who is rotten) is the only "normal" person. Although he only wanted the fortune, his perspective is clear and reliable. Their uncle needs to be hospitalized, Merricat is crazy and her sister needs someone who supports her.

When the neighbors attacked their house like in the Mob Song scene in Beauty and the Beast, I realized that nobody is a reliable storyteller here. Although this film didn't pay off well, it's ultimately hopeless yet fearless. The ending is a standard strategy. But I guess leaving those very realistic problems as it is isn't "art".