Antipornô

If like me, you're not as aware to the medium or rather genre this is a love letter to (no pun intended), you may miss certain things this nods to. Having said that, most things are apparent or at least as crazy as you'd expect them in a Sion Sono movie. Hard to grasp entirely and apprently just one of about 8 things he worked on in that year ... this is almost mind blowing.

Color and framing, the set up, everything that is put in here (or rather out there), works quite nicely. While overall I felt the title works like when you call a movie an Anti War movie - you still get war and scenes of mayhem and fighting, but they are supposed not to excite you. I would argue the same is true for this. Lots of nudity, lots of craziness. If you can deal with that and the fact there is a lot of breaking the fourth wall ... and intimidation and punishment and ... not so much arousment - you're going to be fine. Just fine

I sat down here in 2023 to watch the 2016 Japanese drama "Anchiporuno" (aka "Antiporno") for the first time ever. Actually, I had never even heard about the movie prior to watching it, so I didn't know what I was in for, nor did I have any expectations to writer and director Sion Sono. All that mattered here was the fact that it was a Japanese movie that I hadn't already seen.

Well, this movie was definitely something else. First of all, then Sion Sono certainly managed to deliver a movie that was fully and wholly unpredictable. Just as you start to think you got it figured out, then the movie goes off in a whole new direction. And that was actually a good thing, because you never knew where you would be lead by writer and director Sion Sono.

The storyline in "Anchiporuno" is somewhat of an acquired taste, though. And that makes the movie somewhat of a niche movie. And by that I mean that "Anchiporuno" is not a movie that will appeal to the general audience. Nay, this is somewhat of an acquired taste. I found the storyline to be interesting though, because it was so different and unique.

The acting performances in the movie were good. The only familiar face on the cast list for me was Mariko Tsutsui (playing Noriko). It should be said that they had a good ensemble of actresses and actors, and they brought the characters to life on the screen in an enjoyable way.

You should take heed though, that "Anchiporuno" does contain its share of nudity and adult scenes, so this is not a movie suitable for just everyone.

If you enjoy niche movies and movies that stand out as being unique, then you certainly should take into consideration giving Sion Sono's 2016 movie "Anchiporuno" a chance.

My rating of "Anchiporuno" lands on a six out of ten stars.

Okay it's a given that Sion Sono is an alien. He's crazy. Strange. There are no rules, boundaries, with him. That's why we love him.

This movie didn't just break the 4th wall. This movie broke my stomach linings. I want to puke, vomit, throw up. Gross. I'm not just into this stuff. I know we were about to see porn-ish here but man I'm not just into woman-to-woman action. There's just a bad taste in my mouth after watching this. So my bias here would be evident. But I'll try to be ahem, objective.

What I love about Sion Sono is he doesn't just overwhelm you, he will really outdo your expectations. Time to build a shrine for him. Women and feminists, let's hold hands. Brace yourselves before watching this because you might want to hold on to a Rosary.

Ami Tomite, the lead, as Kyoko, was well utilized here. Her insane monologue at the beginning of the film, with a classical piece as background, showcased her versatility (and her privates too). A lonely artist who ambitions to be a whore. ????. I hope IMDb doesn't censor this,the movie itself says that word. Question marks everywhere but you need to get past that. She vomits a lot here too.

She lives a light in the limelight. Her secretary, Noriko, knocks on the door, reciting her schedule for the day. Kyoko transforms into a sadist master who exploits her slave. She's about to have an interview. The crew enters the scene. Noriko goes full nude. Kyoko remains insane. I just can't at this point, I thought of bailing out.

But I'm glad I didn't. Let's get past the nudity (but I still can't with my virgin eyes!!!!!!). Kyoko is a sad young woman. Her family and past has forced her to enter this industry. There's a notable family dinner scene that will just send you laughing, facepalming, or cursing Sono for his genius.

The movie puts a lot of colors, both literal and figurative. It looks like its set on just one setting, with just walls separating the different acts but there's really a lot of questions and deep themes presented here. Exploitation can very well define this movie. Both the innate theme and on its surface, well, I would say in a way the actresses here were made to do whatever they did. I believe there are a lot of symbolism here but you can put it which way you deem fit. And I'm not the most knowledgeable person to narrate what deep themes are being symbolised here. You'll feel it when you watch this.

The movie has a short runtime but the impact it leaves will linger for long.

This movie is such a complicated critique on not only Japan's Roman porno industry but on the society and culture that gave rise to it and where that culture stands now in the 21st century. It is as complicated as all good art and the twists and turns will confuse and provoke even viewers who are familiar with the history of the genre and the culture. It has a lot to say but what you understand from it is quite open to interpretation... or is it? Full of symbols and symbolism, with meaning that is changed as quickly as it is attached. In the end it is a piece of art... or the most existential porno ever made?

I exist. I exist here. I know I exist. I exist, but not today. Today comes constantly. It'll come until I die. But I don't exist today. We don't exist in the todays we've lost. It appears as if we do, but we don't.

You wake up from a nightmare where your life is just a character evolving on stage, for the amusement of others. But you wake up. To reality. Or ... are you still on stage? If yes... where is the exit? Where?

An item that appears repeatedly throughout the movie gets a very strong meaning at the end of it. A lizard who grew too big to ever get out of the bottle he's in! Where's the exit? Where?

Antiporno is not a porn movie. It contains some nudity scenes, vulgar language and many shocking scenes. And color. A lot of color sometimes. Liquid even. But besides, it's hard to say what it is. Perhaps for someone more familiar with the work of Japanese director Sion Sono, things are clearer. It is a symbolic film, requiring an effort to understand it. And I believe that a profound knowledge of Japanese society is indispensable.