Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Tony D. (A) on November 20, 2010 at 09:42:27

In Reply to: RE: "Imprint" was disappointing... posted by Dr Phibes on November 20, 2010 at 02:42:29

and IMO it works when viewed in that context. One is expected to step outside of ones self and take up different viewpoints.

I think also that when Mikke was invited to do an episode of 'Masters of Horror' he decided to do something so over the top that when the rest of the entries in the series were gathering dust somewhere 'Imprint' would still be making waves...which it is.

But IMO this is not only about Mikke making a point but also I think about his re-envisioning of Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' which kept coming to mind during 'Imprint'. The original story ('Bokkee, Kyotee') that 'Imprint' is based on was written by a woman (Shimako Iwai) who was also involved in the making of the film. Here is what she said about her story:

"I was trying to tell a sad story, not so much a scary one. But when I was finished, it was just plain scary. I was an unsuccessful author of young women’s novels. And I wanted to return to prominence as an author. But I could not write. My private life suffered. And my husband and I were talking of divorce. Then I thought: 'women are so disadvantaged.' A sad existence that has nowhere to run or hide. I felt strongly about this. I thought I should write about women. I wanted to write about women and this is the story that resulted. Women with no place to escape" She also said that she thought the film was better than her story.

Among other parallels both films are about the search for truth...I could go on but I hope you get my point.

Is it high art? No. But it is in a way a statement/exploration by Takashi Miike of the extremes of HIS art and his ability as a director to shine a different light on a classic film/story.


J.B.