Sunday 11 September 2011

Ogawa no Hotori




Much to my surprise and delight I found there was quite a considerable selection of Japanese films featured in the In-flight Entertainment during our flight to New Zealand.

Inspired by the work of late author Shuhei Fujisawa, Ogawa no Hotori (At River's Edge) is a fine example of Japanese feudal drama that delves into the enduring themes of duty and sentiment.

The film builds slowly and revolves around Inui Sakunosuke (Noriyuki Higashiyama) who is given a mission of vengeance from his samurai clan.
The film also stars Rinko Kikuchi, who you will recognize from films such as Norwegian Wood and Babel. Kikuchi plays Sakunosuke’s younger sister Tazu, who in a tragic coincidence is married to Sakuma Morie – the very man her brother is set to assassinate.
Thus, poor old Sakunosuke is put in the agonising position of choosing between love for his family and duty to his clan. 

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