Zatoichi has become a movie with many unforgettable moments in the hand of Master Takeshi.
Kitano once said in an interview that he respected traditions, but it was his feelings that they could add new things to them. And it is exactly what he accomplished through this brilliant movie. Side characters of the movie are also tremendous so the whole movie is worth watching several times regarding even the smallest elements that appear as details. Michiyo Ookusu who plays Aunt O-Ume is a wonderful actress, I first watched her in Atsumono and I find her facial expressions very distinguishing. She deeply grasps everything about her character and acts in a very natural way. There is a lot to say about Zatoichi's women characters. Their roles are not very central but they are all interesting female figures that help audience comprehend the atmosphere of the time. These women characters are warriors without swords, they all suffer for some reasons and fight with the cruelty around them. Besides, the whole drag queen concept dramatizes the situation of women of the time.
Throughout the movie, black humor is very significant and satirist perspective of the director who manages to unlock the doors of the world of details makes an old story brand new.
Kitano once said in an interview that he respected traditions, but it was his feelings that they could add new things to them. And it is exactly what he accomplished through this brilliant movie. Side characters of the movie are also tremendous so the whole movie is worth watching several times regarding even the smallest elements that appear as details. Michiyo Ookusu who plays Aunt O-Ume is a wonderful actress, I first watched her in Atsumono and I find her facial expressions very distinguishing. She deeply grasps everything about her character and acts in a very natural way. There is a lot to say about Zatoichi's women characters. Their roles are not very central but they are all interesting female figures that help audience comprehend the atmosphere of the time. These women characters are warriors without swords, they all suffer for some reasons and fight with the cruelty around them. Besides, the whole drag queen concept dramatizes the situation of women of the time.
Throughout the movie, black humor is very significant and satirist perspective of the director who manages to unlock the doors of the world of details makes an old story brand new.