Mishima – A Life in Four Chapters
It is sad when you have to stop watching a film, especially when you want to see it very, very much. This happened to me with Mishima about 1:15 into the movie, and it was just impossible to find an hour somewhere with internet so I could finish the film. And so, my thoughts on the film might be heavily influenced by this unfortunate circumstance.
In fact, I know nothing about Mishima except for his dramatic death. I have never read his works, yet I am strangely fascinated with how such a character can exist in the world. The movie is a quite wonderful depiction of the author and only strengthens my fascination with him, yet it barely explains anything. I find that acceptable though, given the strange yet aesthetic nature of the film. Very Japanese, I’d say.
One thing I did get from the film is Mishima’s strange yet so understandable view on beauty, and his plays are fascinating in an absurd way very similarly to how Kobo Abe is fascinating, even if his plays go into a completely different direction. There are some similarities though; they both seem to be interested in the cripples of mind and body, and they both like short, poignant dialogues.
The end was a typical case of Marie Antoinette x You-know-the-outcome-but-you-still-feel-the-suspense. It’s like Sofia Coppola who doesn’t show Marie Antoinette’s death – I can’t believe they cut out the scene in the moment he just started committing seppuku! On the other hand, I was moved by his speech for the simple reason that nobody wanted to listen, and I felt amazingly sorry for this man who was on the verge of death. I suppose seppuku is a form of art for him after all, but nevertheless, a feeling of horror is going down my chest.
Now I really want to see Patriotism, briefly mentioned in the film. I have this imagination that the film must be immensely interesting; even though or maybe because it is so short. I also want to see the man itself, conveniently starring as the main character.
Mishima is a very strange film; it doesn’t explain and leaves Mishima as a person full of contradictions. It’s more like a half-way completed puzzle, waiting for you to fill in the gaps, and acts more as an exposé rather than faithful retelling or an analysis of the fascinating character Mishima was.
I love that you love the movie even though I haven’t seen it! Your description sounds wonderful. It just fits that they don’t show the death, but still the humiliation before the seppuku.
And yeah, watch Patriotism! It’s like a movie you would see in a museum OR a museum in itself exhibiting Mishima’s (beautiful! *fanboy-screak*) ideals of beauty.
It’s actually kind of strange that I never watched the movie, because there have been so many occasions that I woulde have had the opportunity to. Like, recently Paul Schrader was in Vienna and held a speech about Ozu and about this film.
Oh my, I can’t believe you have not seen the movie! I remember you used to be very interested in it (as well as Patriotism) and that was how I got interested in it myself in the first place.
I am not really sure if I really qualify Mishima as beautiful though. They are of a certain esthetic that just cries “beauty” too much for me to find it truly beautiful. Does that make sense at all? XD
I watched Patriotism, kneel before me. :yarrkitty:
In other news: look forward to my incoherent ramblings on the Berlinale movies. (Shii, get over here and watch a movie with me like last time, I need me some prime Austrian ass. [*hrrrrrrrr*?])
@Sasa-sama: Hm, I guess I see what you mean. The beauty he worships is kind of totally Japanese indeed and thus not *really* special.
@Pixy: Ohohoho, the first Berlinale post is already online! Definitely looking forward to the following! I wonder if anything can beat the awesomeness of last year’s Parade?
(I am flattered by your decent invitation, but Austria spit glue all over me, so I can’t move right now! And I love the question mark behind your hrrrr! XXD)
I dub it the meta-question-mark because anything meta is instantly that much more mysterious and awesome. Too bad you’re stuck in Vienna. ㅠ.ㅠ
I have very high expectations of Saranghanda, Saranghaji Anneunda actually, so high that I should calm myself down. Everyone watch My Dear Enemy. Now. It is the director’s previous, totally awesome movie.
Haha, it’s not like it’s not special, I just don’t find it beautiful personally (with the big exception of her kimono, there is an totally incomprehensible beauty associated with that).
“Decent invitation”? XD You guys should totally have arranged a side PIFF without me, tsk tsk. Next year, next year…
I remember that we liked “My Dear Enemy” but we didn’t find it all that brilliant back then. In retrospect, however, I also have fond memories of the film, and think that it was quite well-done.