A História de Shimotsuma

This a well-done girls' coming-of-age tale, like a Japanese 21st-century Alice in Wonderland - one Lewis Carroll would probably have liked. And I presume whoever gave the Kamikaze Girls title to the American edition would have titled the Alice work Kamikaze Alice. The underlying themes are independent thinking, the value of friendship, and the need to pursue one's creative impulses while critically evaluating surrounding people and opportunities.

Most the adult figures in the film are - in one way or another - failures. Though seen in an exaggerated, humorous, or empathetic light, they serve as guideposts to the two girls who come to realize that salvation (or "sallvation" as Ichigo misspells it for emphasis) lies not in following the crowd, not in seeking leaders' approval, but in following one's own dreams - as much as they can be realized in this limited, 3-dimensional, mortal world.

Early in the film, I feared it was headed to be too sweet, especially with the main characters being Momoko (Peaches) and Ichigo (Strawberries). But this sweetness is quickly counterbalanced with the challenges and adventures they face.

This is a fun and very unique film, good for people of all ages. In ways, it's set in a society that seems closer to the U.S. of the 1950's - around the "beat" and the James Dean eras, when youth could be wild without police being called, and yet neighborhoods could leave front doors unlocked without fear and kids could even hitch-hike - an age of greater homogeneity when America had some cultural unity and - with exception of its black-white scar - was not afraid of itself.

I obtained this film, by the way, in VCD format (not the best, but adequate), I believe, from HKFlix. I couldn't find it anywhere in DVD format.

Nakashima Tetsuya's wonderful "Shimotsuma Monogatari" (Shimotsuma Story) is quite a unique and charming film. I had my doubts at first but the film turned out to be a refreshing surprise. Mixing anime, quirky narrative, inventive storytelling, outrageous comedy and Japanese Pop Culture charm this movie is a really endearing movie.

Stylistically, as others have noted, it does recall movies like "Trainspotting" and "Run, Lola, Run" but I think "Shimotsuma Monogatari" is much closer in style to Yaguchi Shinobu's "Swing Girls" and "Waterboys", both of which are also really wonderful.

J-Pop singer/actress Fukuda Kyoko is infectiously cute as Momoko, the "Lolita" fashion obsessed girl with a naive yet surprising take on life. Her French 17th Century (Rocco) styled fashions are at times oddball and avant-garde and yet surprisingly cool looking that it's little wonder why American Pop Singer Gwen Stefani has drawn inspiration from this fashion trend for her L.A.M.B. fashion line and to dress her Harajuku Girls.

Anna Tsuchiya is also a wonderful surprise as Ichiko/Ichigo, the tough talking "Yanki" Sukeban with a heart of gold. She has most of the best lines in the movie and is also quite a cutie (behind the Sukeban makeup).

The only criticism I have for the film is the stupid American title "Kamikaze Girls". It really doesn't do justice to the film at all and is a real turnoff as it brings to mind a "Yakuza" film or perhaps a war picture in a stereotyping tongue-and-cheek way. Why not just call it simply "Momoko and Ichigo" (i.e. Peaches and Strawberry) or some other title that is a bit more relevant.

Other than that this film is a pure joy and delight and a welcomed change to Japanese cinema.

"Kamikaze Girls" is a Japanese film directed by Tetsuya Nakashima that follows the unlikely friendship between Momoko, a teenage girl with a passion for frilly Victorian-style clothing, and Ichigo, a rough-around-the-edges girl who rides a motorcycle and belongs to a biker gang. The film is a quirky and entertaining exploration of Japanese youth culture, and features strong performances from its two lead actresses.

One of the standout aspects of "Kamikaze Girls" is its unique and visually striking aesthetic. The film is a feast for the eyes, with elaborate costume design and a color palette that pops off the screen. Momoko's elaborate Victorian-style outfits are particularly memorable, and the contrast between her and Ichigo's more rough-and-tumble style adds to the film's visual appeal.

The film is also notable for its exploration of Japanese youth culture, particularly the subcultures of "Lolita" fashion and biker gangs. While the film is light-hearted and comedic in tone, it also touches on deeper themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of fitting in. The relationship between Momoko and Ichigo is at the heart of the film, and the two actresses have great chemistry, bringing a sense of warmth and authenticity to their characters.

Overall, "Kamikaze Girls" is a fun and entertaining film that is sure to appeal to fans of Japanese cinema and youth culture. Its unique aesthetic and strong performances make it a must-see for any film lover.

Watched this gem of a film just a week before xmas 2004,,,and mighty glad I did,,as apart from maybe Eternal Sunshine and 2046 nothing really as stood out in 2004 for me.

I'm not saying this film's perfect it does go way too dreamy and slips a lot into teen angst a little too much,but for a hugely entertaining wild ride you gotta see it as nothing for along time comes close to this on the fun scale.

Included are show stopping camera angles/tricks and odd moments of surreal nonsense all wrapped around story of a pair of female teens (Kyôko Fukada & Anna Tsuchiya who both look and act awesome) finding their own individual identities,add some great gags on modern life's consumerism and you've got a sure fire cult maybe even worldwide hit on your hands.I can hear teen girls ripping their posters of N-Sync and Westlife down from their walls and putting up Momoko & Ichigo one's.All in all hugely recommend to fans of Japanese culture i'd give this a super fun 8 maybe adding an half for the fun anime sections...

A completely enchanting and engrossing comedy-drama about two 17 year old girls, vastly different from each other (one a self-absorbed dreamer with a love for Rococco period fashion and behavior; the other a rebellious biker chick), who become friends and change each other's lives. The film makes the most of this simple plot line, and it's the compelling personalities of the characters, beautifully overplayed by Kyoko Fukada and Anna Tsuchiya, respectively. The film is told through a color-saturated visualization and stylish direction by Tetsuya Nakashima, who adopts a manic style not unlike that of Jean-Pierre Jeunet in AMELIA or Tom Twyker in RUN LOLA RUN, with jump-cut flashbacks, bizarre cut-aways and edits; the effervescent vitality of Nakashima's direction coupled with the performances of the lead and supporting cast really make this film a fascinating and repeatedly watchable experience. Also of note is a terrific score, which varies from J-Pop to American hard rock and punk, to classical (one fight scene is set to Strauss' Blue Danube) and really sets the film's aural tone and pacing; Yoko Kanno (MEMORIES, ESCALFLOWNE, GHOST IN THE SHELL: STANDALONE COMPLEX, and Nakashima's previous SUMMER TALE) is responsible for the underscore and several of the songs.