06:10
Turin231
In this part we have my 2 favorite movies by Kitamura that I have seen recently...Both have their setting in medieval Japan and there I think his directing style shines...These movies are Azumi and Aragami...
Azumi
Azumi is probably one of his most expensive productions, if not the most expensive...It is set in medieval Japan roughly at the end of the Daimyo Civil wars At the point where the Tokugawa are taking control of the land. The last remnants of their opposition are preparing for a new war. To prevent another era of conflict some of the Tokugawa men believe that it would be better to assassinate the opposing Lords to save the land from more bloodshed. A loyal and experienced solder takes up the job of finding capable children and train them to become master assassins to fulfill that goal. Azumi is one of them and the only girl in the group.
This story is adapted by a well known Japanese Comic. The story describes how the group left their isolated home and went to fulfill their mission. The unrealistic but stylized action here is prominent as would probably be in the Manga. It scale is immense its characters memorable and well developed. The villains are as always over the top and entertaining, especially Bijomaru Mogami. The manga involves itself mainly with obsession weather this comes from loyalty, greed , honor, religious faith or just lust for battle. Although not as highlighted in the movie, it is still there. Every character is totally dedicated to his goal no matter what the cost weather this would be to protect his lord, to have revenge or just craving for blood.It is here where you get the most interesting emotional conflict in Azumi right for the start of their mission, since she sees more that just blind dedication in one goal and many things around her, naturally, do not seem sensible.
The action is excellent and the movie is filled with the typical weird camera work of Kitamura that is entertaining as hell, provided that you won't get dizzy in the process. The narrative builds up the story flawlessly. Even though sometimes it might seem to be too slow all these scenes make sense in the character stories and actions. The movie is immense, fun and end with an huge final battle that can satisfy everyone that enjoys swordplay movies. Their is actually a sequel to Azumi. Although I have not seen it yet I should worth it if it is half as good as this one.
Aragami is the product of the Duel Project. The duel project is a bet issued by producer Shinya Kawai to Kitamura and another director Yukihiko Tsutsumi in a night of drinking. The bet was to make a dueling movie with just 2 actor fighting each other and taking place in one and only setting. There was also a time frame in the completion.Just one week. Tsutsumi 's contribution was 2LDK, which although with a completely different setting than Aragami, I also hear it is pretty good. What Kitamura came up with was a supernatural story again in Medieval Japan. This is Aragami.
The story begins very simple. 2 solders fleeing from a battle and badly injured come to find refuge in a temple in the middle of the woods. In this temple they find its owner and his servant who are also its the caretakers. The tent for the injured solders but only one survives. The lord of the temple very politely asks the surviving samurai to stay the night since the woods are dangerous and his enemies might be looking for them. This way he can also drink with him and repay him for his rescue by providing some drinking company to the lonely inhabitant of this temple. Although everything should be fine there is a strange feeling in the atmosphere.
The story develops through the dialog of the 2 main characters. 2/3 of this movie is actually devoted in their interaction. And it is awesome. Slowly and gradually the viewer learns about the 2 characters and the temple. As the night goes on it is obvious that something bigger is going on and that the man that saved the samurai has something else in mind and that there is more to him that what seems to be. The whole process makes for a incredible build up to the end of the movie which is the actual duel. And my god it justifies its build up. The end duel is really one of the most entertaining and well crafted fight scenes I have ever seen. If you add that to the unbelievable dark atmosphere of the temple you have yourself one of the most enjoyable action scenes ever. This is truly by far my favorite Kitamura movie....
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