Itami Juzo ...

moyashi · Aug 11, 2002, 08:42

I just watched "The funeral" last night again. It's one of his more boring movies I had thought but since this was my 3rd time and my Japanese is much better I could spend time watching all the small things happening. I actually laughed out loud several times or shook my head in agreement.

Many of you have asked or wondered how you could learn more about Japan. I think I've just stumbled across an unbelievable tressure source.

Juzo Itami movies are great 80's material to study. He dissects his movies so delicately or precisely that even dense [gaijin] can learn something.

I've never figured out if he was trying to be serious or a comical since his movies help you along the scale of emotions.

If you have a chance, skip the samurai movies and pick up a few of Itami Juzos instead.

Tampopo
The Taxing woman
The Taxing woman 2
The Funeral
The Great Sick Person

Ugh, I forgot the rest of his titles. There's a yakuza one too.

oh well, anyway this should hold you over until we fill in the rest of the titles.

thomas · Aug 11, 2002, 18:33

I've watched two of his movies: "Tampopo" (wow, I get hungry just thinking of it) and "Minbo" which happened to be the last movie he produced.

"Minbo" was highly critical of the yakuza (a movie about resistance and moral courage), and rumour has it he had killed himself because of their constant threats. Never the yakuza looked as dumb as in that movie. A must see!

Related link:

http://www.japanreference.com/cgi-bin/jump.cgi?ID=2820

moyashi · Aug 13, 2002, 17:57

could be. Everybody knows that the Yakuza did not appreciate being portrayed in that movie. I hate seen it yet. lolo ... what am I doing?

Anyway, difinitely on Director to admire.

thomas · Aug 13, 2002, 20:22

Correction: "Minbo no onna" wasn't Itami's last movie. His seventh and last movie was "Daibyonin", telling the story of a misanthropic film director dying of cancer (more info).

His wife Miyamoto Nobuko appeared in many of his movies: she played the restaurant owner in "Tampopo" as well as the courageous lawyer in "Minbo" who supported the hotel staff in their fierce fight against the yakuza mob.

moyashi · Aug 13, 2002, 22:56

Hehe posted above.

The great sick person.

I haven't seen that one and the yakuza one. I saw part of the monbo no onna now that I think of it.

Itami's wife plays the lead role in all his movies I think. Also, most of the cast, at least the main characters, play in all the movies. Like Gon from Tampopo (the cowboy hat truck driver) he plays the husband in "The Funeral" and in the other movies.

Pretty interesting to reuse actors.

thomas · Aug 14, 2002, 03:21

Originally posted by moyashi
Pretty interesting to reuse actors.

Takeshi Kitano does the same. Some members of his cast work with him since the days of "Takeshi jo" (Takeshi's Castle).

moyashi · Aug 14, 2002, 10:44

hmm, I saw Battle Royale like 3 times. Even the special Directors cut. Which made more sense actually. Hmmm, next will be Brothers I think, although Takeshi Jo looks interesting.

Aug 11, 2002, 08:42	#1
moyashi Regular Member Join Date: Apr 15, 2002 Location: SonyLand Age: 40 Posts: 1,566	Itami Juzo ... I just watched "The funeral" last night again. It's one of his more boring movies I had thought but since this was my 3rd time and my Japanese is much better I could spend time watching all the small things happening. I actually laughed out loud several times or shook my head in agreement. Many of you have asked or wondered how you could learn more about Japan. I think I've just stumbled across an unbelievable tressure source. Juzo Itami movies are great 80's material to study. He dissects his movies so delicately or precisely that even dense [gaijin] can learn something. I've never figured out if he was trying to be serious or a comical since his movies help you along the scale of emotions. If you have a chance, skip the samurai movies and pick up a few of Itami Juzos instead. Tampopo The Taxing woman The Taxing woman 2 The Funeral The Great Sick Person Ugh, I forgot the rest of his titles. There's a yakuza one too. oh well, anyway this should hold you over until we fill in the rest of the titles.

Aug 11, 2002, 18:33	#2
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	I've watched two of his movies: "Tampopo" (wow, I get hungry just thinking of it) and "Minbo" which happened to be the last movie he produced. "Minbo" was highly critical of the yakuza (a movie about resistance and moral courage), and rumour has it he had killed himself because of their constant threats. Never the yakuza looked as dumb as in that movie. A must see! Related link: http://www.japanreference.com/cgi-bin/jump.cgi?ID=2820 __________________ Remember what the dormouse said, feed your head, feed your head!

Aug 14, 2002, 03:21	#6
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Originally posted by moyashi Pretty interesting to reuse actors. Takeshi Kitano does the same. Some members of his cast work with him since the days of "Takeshi jo" (Takeshi's Castle).

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Aug 13, 2002, 17:57	#3
moyashi Regular Member Join Date: Apr 15, 2002 Location: SonyLand Age: 40 Posts: 1,566	could be. Everybody knows that the Yakuza did not appreciate being portrayed in that movie. I hate seen it yet. lolo ... what am I doing? Anyway, difinitely on Director to admire.

Aug 13, 2002, 20:22	#4
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Correction: "Minbo no onna" wasn't Itami's last movie. His seventh and last movie was "Daibyonin", telling the story of a misanthropic film director dying of cancer (more info). His wife Miyamoto Nobuko appeared in many of his movies: she played the restaurant owner in "Tampopo" as well as the courageous lawyer in "Minbo" who supported the hotel staff in their fierce fight against the yakuza mob.

Aug 13, 2002, 22:56	#5
moyashi Regular Member Join Date: Apr 15, 2002 Location: SonyLand Age: 40 Posts: 1,566	Hehe posted above. The great sick person. I haven't seen that one and the yakuza one. I saw part of the monbo no onna now that I think of it. Itami's wife plays the lead role in all his movies I think. Also, most of the cast, at least the main characters, play in all the movies. Like Gon from Tampopo (the cowboy hat truck driver) he plays the husband in "The Funeral" and in the other movies. Pretty interesting to reuse actors.

Aug 14, 2002, 10:44	#7
moyashi Regular Member Join Date: Apr 15, 2002 Location: SonyLand Age: 40 Posts: 1,566	hmm, I saw Battle Royale like 3 times. Even the special Directors cut. Which made more sense actually. Hmmm, next will be Brothers I think, although Takeshi Jo looks interesting.