Movie No. 64 (2013): CONFESSIONS
Confessions (a.k.a. Kokuhaku) (2010)
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima
Cast: Takako Matsu, Yoshino Kimura, Masaki Okada
In Japanese, with English subtitles
The film's story is simple: a grieving mother exacts revenge against the murderers of her daughter. And just like many great movies that can be summarized in one sentence, this film focuses on the storytelling technique. The result is a sort of psychological thriller with twists and turns that will keep the attention of the audience. Although it is really a kind of twisted movie that some may find off, I find this film to have succeeded as a film because it triumphs in almost every aspect - writing, cinematography, editing, and acting. I also have to note that this film comments on the juvenile law that people under the age of 14 (that's the case in Japan) use as the most dangerous weapon to commit crime and get away with it.
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima
Cast: Takako Matsu, Yoshino Kimura, Masaki Okada
In Japanese, with English subtitles
The film's story is simple: a grieving mother exacts revenge against the murderers of her daughter. And just like many great movies that can be summarized in one sentence, this film focuses on the storytelling technique. The result is a sort of psychological thriller with twists and turns that will keep the attention of the audience. Although it is really a kind of twisted movie that some may find off, I find this film to have succeeded as a film because it triumphs in almost every aspect - writing, cinematography, editing, and acting. I also have to note that this film comments on the juvenile law that people under the age of 14 (that's the case in Japan) use as the most dangerous weapon to commit crime and get away with it.
This film is about revenge and its psychological effects on the avenger and on who are those avenged against. Revenge is still best served cold.
The film was submitted by Japan to compete in the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Foreign-Language Film in 2010. It made the January 2011 short list along with eight other films, but failed to make the final cut. I suspect that, while the movie was really worth a nomination, some graphic scenes of violence could have turned off the conservative committee that selected the final nominations.
Rating: 4.0/4.0
Date seen: March 25, 2013
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