Reviews

Incredibly Fantastic ! EMOTIONAL, EVOCATIVE and POIGNANTE !!!

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST MOVIE OF 2024 !!!

My Name Is Loh Kiwan is an emotional rollercoaster romantic thriller that takes you on a thrill-filled journey in Belgium. The story runs smoothly from sadness to action-romance-beyond realism the harsh reality of refugees. The plot is well-paced, with the main characters developing progressively the dark tone of rom element keeps the audience entertained. Every one character's actions are legitimate and dependable on eachother, running with Loh Kiwan and Marie story, it represents story between Father-daughter, Mother-son. My Name is Loh Kiwan carries a wide range of all genres that can be really liked by anyone ( watchers). The cast of every character truly symbolizes their specific roles, delivering how the characters feel to life. Loh Kiwan triggers an indication on other cinematic brilliant works of the Korean film industry.

[ 10/10 !!!! ]

Outstanding Soundtrack, top quality Cinematography (Loh Kiwan Close-up shots are good) Visually amazing every scene by setting dark tone; the film displays beautiful atmospheres that reflect each character's existential experience.

[ SONG JOONG-KI ]

Song Joong-ki's physical appearance conversion, and emotionally charged makeover are certainly the film's standout paths. His physical appearance is the centerpiece that allows ourselves to emotionally. engage with the story in a deeper way. He again shown the versatility of his acting with this movie. Giving a chance to Debute director is really a good challenge. He took the challenge and deleveried his acting in new way proficiently. Song Joong-ki as Kiwan has won the hearts of the audience. His versatility is beyond words and after you’ve seen his other projects, it is proved how easily he molds himself as per the requirements of his role.

[ LEAD ACTORS ]

Loh Ki-wan's transformation from at risk to strength is prominent, while Marie's struggles with addictions and issues with her family throw depth to her character. Their on-screen chemistry surpasses geographical boundaries, and their love story narrates overwhelming feeling of mutual suffering and redemption that connects to watchers. As i expected the climax made me cry, especially Choi Sung Eun acting like suffering from outside circumstances and dealing with her own emotions Loh Kiwan feelings will make everyone emotional. And Song Joong-ki classic in climax leave good impression on his character development.

[ DIRECTION - WRITTING ]

Debute movie of Director Kim Hee-jin, she utilised her cast perfectly within the small looking big story, i really appreciate her work of Loh Kiwan, because it's her first movie and cast like Song Joong-ki Choi Sung Eun so I doubted there's a some pressure on her but after watching the movie I understand I was worng.
She carried masterfully every scene. Although it's an adaptation the movie writer brilliantly delivered the script with heart touching lines. Loh Kiwan standout with unique mix of traditional story telling with amazing scenes that make you enjoy and emotional feel in every moment.The performances of supporting actors such as Lee Sang-hee, Kim Sung-ryeong, and Cho Han-chul are also excellent.

[ Finally ]
South Korean Film makers never fail to deliver a movie from Intense battles to emotional tales, and western entertainment media appreciate Korean Film Makers as " South Korea is a goldmine of original ideas and storytelling talents ". And we can saw it from Loh Kiwan.

Definitely one of the most memorable films I've seen. This movie may inspire, sometimes horrify, or send you into an existential crisis, but it will make you think about something new by the time you finish it. Despite its dark underlying themes, the film ultimately delivers an appealing message of hope and endurance, leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction and emotional ride..



brought by -- Shinnosuke_Lee

Leia Mais

A few ups and downs, but mostly serves

Man Suang is a solid production.

Though this may be a fictional story, it is intricately connected to the events of the time period, including the societal norms of the time period. The movie also showcases the political and cultural landscape of Thailand in a realistic way. When you produce a fictional account set in a very real and turbulent political and historical period, it is bound to get confusing at times, but for what it's worth, they did an admirable job.

Coming to the actual story, it was quite predictable. Like I mentioned, historical stories require a certain amount of explanation and background to be fully appreciated, and while I would have preferred that, the storytelling was solid for the most part. The characters are well fleshed out, the motives were clear and despite the fact that the mysteries were easily solved and the plotlines were succinctly wrapped up. The ending left something to be desired, but I guess that's what the sequel's for.

One thing that needs to be cleared up: there's no romance. This is a political thriller through and through, and even with the occasional glances, I'm glad it didn't develop into a romance. Including a full fledged romance would have taken a lot of time, and this was already chock full of events that including more scenes would have messed up something that already felt like it lacked a few things.

I probably wouldn't re-watch this, maybe if I wanted to see if I missed some details. More than anything, it was a pretty good watch and it will keep you invested.

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My Name is Loh Kiwan: A Heartfelt Journey of Hope and Identity

Released in March 2024, "My Name is Loh Kiwan" is a poignant drama film that navigates the complexities of seeking asylum through the lens of Loh Ki-wan, a North Korean defector grappling with life in Belgium. Played with remarkable depth by Song Joong-ki, Ki-wan confronts the unfamiliarity of customs, language barriers, and the bureaucratic labyrinth of refugee status. The film transcends a mere portrayal of cultural adaptation, weaving a tapestry of emotions as Ki-wan yearns for a new life while cherishing the memories of his homeland.

Writer and director Kim Hee-jin masterfully crafts a narrative that resonates on multiple levels. Beyond Ki-wan's individual struggles, the film sheds light on the broader societal challenges faced by refugees. The emotional toll of displacement, the anxieties of navigating an unfamiliar legal system, and the longing for acceptance in a new community are depicted with sensitivity and nuance, prompting viewers to contemplate the human cost of political and societal divisions.

Ki-wan's journey is not one of solitude. His path unexpectedly intersects with Marie, a Korean woman residing in Belgium, portrayed with compelling complexity by Choi Sung-eun. Their contrasting perspectives - Ki-wan's hopeful pursuit of a future and Marie's struggle to overcome past traumas - create a captivating dynamic that fuels the narrative. Through their interactions, a unique bond blossoms, offering each character a chance to find solace and rediscover their strength.

The film's emotional core lies in its unwavering honesty. It doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities faced by refugees, showcasing the challenges of adapting to new cultural norms and the constant fight for basic rights. The performances by Song Joong-ki and Choi Sung-eun are exceptional. Song delivers a nuanced portrayal of Ki-wan, capturing both his unwavering resilience and the profound emotional vulnerability that arises from loss and displacement. Choi embodies the complexities of Marie's character, showcasing her inner turmoil and gradual path towards healing.

"My Name is Loh Kiwan" transcends the boundaries of a conventional refugee story. It delves into the depths of human emotions, exploring themes of identity, hope, and the transformative power of connection. This is a film that lingers in your thoughts long after the credits roll, leaving you with a renewed appreciation for the power of hope and the importance of empathy in an increasingly divided world.

Leia Mais

Great period piece

I need BL fans shot are MileApo shippers to stop deluluing themselves into thinking this is a BL. Not everything has to be a BL just because it has your have some fvcked up gay fetish. I can understand if you are in your delulu era with KinnPorsche. But babes this isn’t KP and they weren’t googling eye each other like they were eye fvcking each other either. Y’all in the reviews and comment section are some weird ass sickos because if that’s chemistry then everybody who looks my way is chemistrying with me. This is why I really intensely dislike BL shippers can’t get off the ship to respect that Mile and Apo are actors. Not come fanfic fvckbuddies like you’re wet dreaming about.

This was a great movie. Every actor gave a brilliant performance. The intrigue and suspense was all there. From the villagers, market shopkeepers, to kitchen staff and housekeepers to the dancers and courtesans. They were equally good as the politicians, clans people, the performance troupes. Definitely, Tiana, Hong, Wan, Chathra and Khem delivered grade A performances.

Here is my only gripe, this isn’t a reflection of the story but something I know I have seen too many times over before.
1. I know Hong didn’t died but it was a rouse to flesh out the killer.
2. I knew Wan was the one who set off the firecracker as soon as I saw him go to Wichiendej.

However, I thought it was Wichiendej who killed Master Cheng. I guess in a roundabout way, Wichiendej did with his manipulation of Triang.

Overall, it was good storytelling. The pace was good. The flow of the series was good. Nothing was slow as molasses or speeding through things.

Someone said this was originally 3 hours which was edited to 2 hours. Not sure how true this is but I think 2 hours is just fine. I rather have it edited than sit through extra filler parts to make a movie drag on and on.

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Delicacy and subtlety to, from black humor, address taboo topics: transsexuality, violence and death

Just hearing the premise makes one curious. Action films abound, but there can't be too many like 'Man of High Heels,' a moody, moving and violent Korean cop-gangster film written and directed by Jang Jin.
Released in 2014, this South Korean noir film stars Cha Seung Won, who plays a homicide detective who hides a big secret.
Nicknamed Cyborg due to the metal plates on his arms and legs and his ability to make an arrest using only his formidable martial arts skills, even criminals are amazed by his toughness and physical prowess: gangster gang leader Heo -Bol (Song Young-Chang), was singing praises to Yoon Ji-Wook moments before the man appeared to beat him and his henchmen.
Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, Yoon Ji Wook is a tough homicide detective known for his ability to catch violent criminals using his own harsh methods. Revered as a legend among police officers, he is simultaneously feared among the mafia for his brutality in cracking down on crime.
However, beneath that macho and unscrupulous hard man appearance lies a secret that no one can know since the society in which he lives would not view him favorably: apparently the epitome of masculinity, Yoon Ji Wook feels that She is a woman in a man's body.
As much as she tries to suppress this inner desire, she can't fight what she really is: Yoon identifies as transgender.
The film is an intricate film noir story, and woven into the mask of the crime plot is the story of Yoon's decision to live his true life.
Upon finally reaching the point where he resolves to be a woman and decides to take the step of undergoing a sex reassignment operation and thus be able to see his teenage dream come true, he requests discharge from the police force.
This is when the turning point in the film occurs. Before having the opportunity to enter the operating room, unexpected situations begin to happen that interfere with their plans. His numerous enemies think his career change is also a perfect opportunity to take revenge. When some of his close friends are murdered and Jang-mi (Esom), a girl whose brother Yoon loved at school, is kidnapped, he realizes that he can't stand by and follow his dream any longer. How much will revenge cost him?
The members of a gang who had to go through bad times due to the actions of our narrative hero will come for him. Recognizing that it would be difficult for them to take revenge directly, they decide to endanger not only their dream but the people they love.
It is striking that in the history of cinema there has never been a film that deals with the issue of transgenderism in the way that 'Man of High Heels' does. Jang argued that he was inspired to write the script by friends who had encountered prejudice due to their sexual identities, and one of them had been forced to leave the police institution for being gay.
Furthermore, its subversion of classic action movie tropes typifies the irreverent approach of its director, who has built his reputation satirizing Korean society and mischievously modifying cinematic traditions.
With great delicacy and subtlety, the director addresses a topic that is widely carried and brought up by many people who are still full of prejudices who are not careful when it comes to pointing the finger at everything they do not know or do not understand.
'Man of High Heels' manages, with great elegance and good taste, to reflect transsexuality on the screen, and not only in an illustrative way but with a message to all those who dare to judge people who suffer this desire in their flesh.
On the one hand, the protagonist nails his role like very few other actors could have done. Cha Seung Won exudes masculinity from every pore. That is why it surprises many to see him dressed as a woman.
Reading comments from MDL users, one can notice the large number of people who are surprised to learn the premise of the film, and there are those who attack it because "I don't like it" and "I don't understand" or they simply attack it because they consider the way in which transsexuality is approached is crude.
The film is not only about seeing one of Korea's most mature actors transvestite, but also that 'Man of High Heels' debunks the idea, especially in the West, that South Korean cinema goes to the saga of what is produced in the rest of the world. Due to its story, its originality, its staging and, above all, its ability to surprise the viewer, Jang's film speaks for itself about the quality of the cinema of that Asian nation.
This is a film that will keep the most demanding viewer of the action genre in suspense, but seeks other audiences by incorporating the LGBT+ component. This is a violent film with a brutal staging loaded with scenes that will remain fixed in our retinas as a warm memory for life.
This film not only succeeds in the genre but stands out. The opening fight scene is a classic, beautifully choreographed with wit and crazy fun.
'Man of High Heels' begins with a bang that sets the stage for what is to come and introduces the protagonist whose presence is equally explosive and heartbreaking.
The film challenges our perception and reveals discrimination, love and acceptance, as well as tears in our hearts.
If someone believes that everything has been said, add that it is a different film in its history but that manages to combine all the ingredients and resources of an authentic Korean gangster film, with action scenes from the first to the last scene.
This is one of Cha's best performances, one that you can't help but get emotionally invested in.
But there's even more: this is a drama that will make your heart pound and make you feel restless in your seat and you will even want to help the tough homicide detective eliminate the gangsters without suffering a scratch, save his loved ones and until it makes it easier for you to get to the operating room on time.
This is a layered, multidimensional film about a real person, with a real career and reputation, real friends and colleagues.
This is a film that invites the transgender community to be smarter about accepting serious attempts to tell a nuanced transgender story.
'Man of High Heels' manages to dismantle all the concepts regarding what masculinity is supposed to be from the first sequence, without separating the humor from the action – sometimes crazy, but always precise.
A film full of messages and symbolism in every shot under masterful direction, a noir film emerges in all its expressions, an exquisite and suggestive black humor to address taboo topics such as transsexuality, violence and death itself, in a humorous way.

Leia Mais

Here we go again...

Another one with a spineless no opinion girl who just keeps her head down and nods if someone ask something to her or from her. I wish the heroine had more self esteem and knew her worth rather than needing a knight in shining armor to come and make her see sense. We are long past that plot now in 2024. It may have worked a decade ago and my teenage self might have devoured those shenanigans but this plot and characters didn't work for me.

The ending epilogue was cute, I wouldn't deny that. The rest all of the movie was just meh... If anyone who likes a secret school romance with a popular guy and a mute wallflower (sort of) go for this movie. It would scratch your itch a bit.

Rating: 1/10

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I never expect that it would be this good

It's an old film, 2017 movie with an old era of setting. At first I was hesitant to watch it because I don't like the setting of the movie, since it's one of Gong Yoo's film I just give it a try. Good thing I found a tagalog dubbed on this I can easily understand its plot and I don't need to read on subtitles anymore.
It was a star studded film with brilliant actors especially my ultimate oppa is here no other than Gong Yoo my loves.
The story tells the story of a traitor with good intention, there is a reason why his beena traitor.
Good thing Kim WOO Jin (Gong Yoo's character) no matter if ther fail they will still look forward, if they faced trials now to never give up.

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"The worst is behind us"

Ju Dou was a disturbing story set in 1920’s China based on the novel Fuxi, Fuxi. This was the third collaboration for Zhang Yi Mou and Gong Li. The film was banned until 1992, for what reason I never did figure out. Too risqué? Infidelity? Rage against the patriarchy and sexism? Political allegory? Whatever the reason, it was still nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1991 Academy Awards. Though aesthetically stunning, the story could be difficult to watch.

Tian Qing arrives at his adopted uncle’s cloth dyeing operation as the only other employee is quitting. The employee basically tells Tian Qing, “You’ll be sorry!” The uncle is cheap, abusive, and has tortured two wives to death and is working on his third. The new wife, Ju Dou, was a bought and paid for laborer and potential baby maker. Her major obstacle to becoming pregnant is that her husband is not only a vicious tyrant, but infertile as well. Tian Qing has a peep hole in the barn where he watches Ju Dou bathe at night, but it turns from sexual to bitterly realistic one night when he sees her bruise covered body. Fearing she’ll be murdered soon, Ju Dou seduces Tian Qing while her husband is away. She seems to be saved when she becomes pregnant, but there is no way a story set in 1920’s China is going to allow her and Tian Qing to walk away unscathed.

As usual, Zhang Yi Mou brought out his palette and soaked the screen in vibrant hues. Dark lonely nights were bathed in indigo. Sexual arousal was accompanied by flowing bolts of crimson silk unloosed as well as the hammering of the machine. The mountains, fields and trees provided bucolic backdrops. Flames of desire, murderous heat, and the destructive combustion of inevitability licked and leapt throughout the film. Aside from the scenery and sets, Gong Li had a beauty all her own. She superbly conveyed the fear and determination of a cornered woman trying to survive and find a modicum of joy in her life. Li Bao Tian as Tian Qing was given the difficult job of bringing the slow, cowardly nephew to life. Different children played Tian Bai as he aged. Tian Bai rarely spoke, but this menacing child will send chills up your spine.

Ju Dou demonstrated the plight of a poor woman in this time frame. Ju Dou was trapped in a marriage to a merciless man and also forced to work as unpaid labor. Despite all the talk of the Yang family reputation, no one stopped Jin Shan from marrying a third wife after killing the previous two. Tian Qing was trapped working for his miserly uncle and impotent to help Ju Dou both financially and emotionally. Widows weren’t allowed to remarry and even without a blood tie, an aunt couldn’t marry a nephew. Tradition had a stranglehold on Ju Dou with almost no way for her to extricate herself.

Revenge, fatal passion, toxic patriarchy, loneliness, and a kid straight from a horror movie---Ju Dou was an intense and unrelenting film. Oh, and people dyed-more than just a pun! Yet even with Zhang Yi Mou’s technicolor designs and Gong Li’s presence there was something missing. For me, part of the problem was Tian Qing’s passiveness and also the ending took a burn it all down approach. Ju Dou was good enough that I’ve watched it twice. Whether I have the tint-rest to do it in the future remains to be seen.

"Here we are at the village Wang
So many dogs…here they come
They attack us but we can’t run, so we go home"

29 February 2024

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A few words that describes this story: Breathtaking, Mind-blowing, Plot-twist, and Psychological.

STORY:
I think the title of this review says it all. This story is a Rollercoaster, so please make sure to wear your seat belt before you start the ride. I really enjoy historical and psychological movie, so I knew that I was going to enjoy the story from the start. It starts a bit slow, but it gets more and more interesting the more you watch. So, please don't drop it because of that! Give it a chance! I believe is worth it. The cinematography is beautiful. It is expected since it is a historical genre, and most of those have good cinematography. That is why I'm fond of them. You will see a lot of plot-twists in this story, so please do pay close attention and do NOT skip anything or else you will be left very confused. The plot-twists are mind-blowing to me cause I was not expecting them at all lol. It is also psychological, so do expect to see things that can be triggering, like blood, violence, sexual harassment, manipulation, and other similar things. Also, do keep in mind that this has mature content and that you will see bed scenes. I'm just warning you all ahead so that it's not too shocking lol. Anyways, the story is a bit slow, but it feels just right at the same time. And it has a happy ending! Yay! Overall, I will give the plot 8 out of 10.

CONS:
Some things I personally didn't like about the movie is how disgusting the men were, and how the mature themes were portrayed. I mean, let's be real, there are many many many men out there that are like that and it's not just fiction. This is reality. I'm not saying all men are like this of course, but let's say that a big percentage is, so this is not something unusual or rare, but it's still unlikable to me and disgusting to watch. Of course, that doesn't make it a bad movie though. As for the mature themes, what I didn't like about them is that it felt a bit unrealistic. They portrayed lesbian love scenes in a way that it felt like it was meant to be for the male view and not for the audience as a whole. It was a bit unpleasant, but not too bad to the point that you will hate it. I just think that they could have done it a bit more romantic, instead of it just being sex. This is just my personal opinion, of course. Since this is a lesbian story, the production team should have made it more romantic to portray the love between the two girls better.

ACTING / CASTING:
The casting is perfect for me. The two female leads are very beautiful and I love the chemistry between them. The acting is also amazing. They portrayed every emotion well, to the point that I even cried twice lol. The cast and acting was great, so I will give it a 9 out of 10.

MUSIC / REWATCH VALUE:
The music and soundtrack of this movie is a masterpiece. I mean, what else can I say? It is a historical movie, so it is expected to be this good. I really love it. I even found a Playlist on YouTube with the soundtracks and I couldn't help but to listen to it again because of how beautiful it is. Definitely a 8.5 out of 10 for the music. As for the rewatch value, I will give it a 7.5 out of 10. This is actually my second time watching this movie. The reason why I did it is because the first time I skipped a lot of scenes because it was slow. But after rewatching it for the second time (without skipping anything), I regret doing that. It is not worth to skip anything! If you do, you will miss out a lot of the plot. So, don't do the same mistake I did, please! I would rewatch this again to be honest, but at the same time, I believe that watching it once or twice is enough, unless you miss the story too much, haha!

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It is definitely worth to watch. I recommend it. It is a 8.5 out of 10 for me. If I'm not wrong, this movie has been dubbed in different languages too. I saw an English and a Spanish Dub. So, if you are not a big fan of reading subtitles (Not me lol!), then you can try watching the dubs that are available. Thank you for reading! <3

Leia Mais

Walmart version of Unlocked

This movie was straight up ass.

Not one likeable character in there, everyone was so annoying, ESPECIALLY the main character. Holy shit I’ve never been more frustrated in my life while watching a movie???!! not even when I watched the call.

Half of the shit she did was just so stupid and the polices reaction to her literally being doxxed and broken into is hilarious bruh. They noticed it getting serious and still allowed her to stay at home??? What the hell bruh…

Also wtf happened to the manager and why did they just skip over the fact that he was found dead in her apartment like wtaf???

The only sorta likeable character was the detective and the younger detective who ended up dying.
I feel like most of the shit that happened in this movie was for shock value and none of it even made sense at all, they just tried to make some kinda smart/scary hacker movie but this was just plain stupid.

From the beginning the main girl pissed me off, constantly whining and the choices she made was just so…like girl please be fr. Once the stalking and harassing started, she legit did nothing but whine some more and do nothing like atleast move away??

Also the girl who came as a witness (literally the most direct victim of the killer), why was her story so dismissed??? She came on to testify and then……nothing???????

How did the younger detective figure out to check the files that were apparently stacked under a bunch of older cases files and found matches ??????? ? Just so many plotholes its so stupid.

Also how did she never question why they suddenly installed a cctv camera outside of her apartment. Sure she might’ve assumed its for her own safety but like, you know you’re dealing with a hacker whos stalking you, this shit is literally their forte and she never even bothers to ask about it? Like yeah she just fuckin accepts it.

I won’t even nitpick on the fact that she never noticed her ENTIRE apartment being covered with cctv cameras, like sure maybe you don’t look up at your ceilings often but surely you wouldve noticed the 10 new big ass fire detector looking things drilled into your walls …?????

Also what the fuck is wrong with the police there? Why are they leaving the site just because she left her apartment when they KNOW the killer still has access to her house and mainly enters it when shes not home. And they barely even tried to be unsuspecting bruh, were they thinking they’re gonna catch him?? A whole ass police car with white and blue colours and sirens on top, are they stupid? Also after they left in that one scene they NEVER showed up again?

Also if the killer is mainly on websites luring victims in then why is the police group that got the case, not even trying to catch him through that? Especially when that stupid ass idiot keeps having the same EXACT bio text. “selling this because im immigrating” , HOW IS THE POLICE NOT EVEN BATTING AN EYE ON THIS? Also after the killer escaped they just allowed her to be alone again?

When she fell unconscious, they just left her to go home alone? Unsupervised?

When the killer called her mom and she never checked up on her mom and asked her about it??????? Like what the fuck is this movie.

The only mildly entertaining scene was the car chase but even that was fucking hilarious because what the hell was she even trying to do half drugged in the backseat? Shes reaching for him as if she could even do anything?? The younger detective was the only one i truly liked honestly, he tried his best but how the hell did his car flip so fucking much when both of the cars were hit in one place i would’ve thought it was just hit in one go and there would be a huge dent on the side of it but not a fucking 10 time flip while the other car with her and the killer rolled once and the dude made it out fine but everyone else was on verge of death?

I’m pretty sure the cctv footage could’ve even caught the guy when he casually fuckin walked away from the scene, literally untouched? And why did none of the people who were around the car crash react to a dude getting out of the car and walking away like its a normal tuesday night?

Just plain stupid. And the friend should’ve been more persuasive about her staying at hers. She was so half assed about it. “Nooo come here im worried about u” like girl just come and get her bruh. Also why did she keep refusing to get away from that fuckass apartment and then getting shocked each time the killer found her??? Shes so stupid, this entire movie ruined my day. ASS ?

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Japan's School of Rock

Japanese films of the 90s and early 2000s are very underrated, at least in my choices, as I keep jumping back and forth between the 50s and... 2010. While the classics are directed by the well-known and acclaimed Kurosawa, Ozu or Kobayashi, whose stories focus on the human condition in countless ways, at the end of the 90s a few names like Iwai, Nakashima or Sono began to appear. These filmmakers created new ‘experimental’ stories, drawing on the many influences imported from the West and others born in Japan itself, such as kawaii culture, animanga and video games. For a certain group of people, these films became cult classics. There was constant feedback of influences and interests between Japan and the West noticeable on the Japanese films from this period.

One of these films, Swing Girls, has become not only my favourite Japanese film, but one of my favourite films ever.

During the summer holidays, while a group of girls are wasting their time in tutored classes, Tomoko, one of these girls, watches through the window as the high school band goes to support the baseball team (perhaps for Koshien?). But just as they leave, the caterer arrives. Tomoko, who wants skip classes, suggests to the teacher that the rest of the class join her in taking lunch to them. After a rather eventful train journey, they deliver the food, which they had previously soiled and exposed to the heat of the Japanese summer. The whole group is food poisoned, and the only member who doesn't get sick because he hadn't eaten, blames them and forces them to take the place of his classmates. Tomoko and the girls take advantage of the situation to continue avoiding lessons, but gradually the music finds its way into their rebellious little hearts.

Swing Girls is literally a live-action adaptation of a school slice-of-life anime, but it's not as cringe-worthy as other films. It is a story of how students with no future, ostracized by their peers and teachers, prove that all it takes to succeed is a goal and enough confidence to achieve it. Moreover, these school stories emphasise living in the moment, because the last years of school life are also the last days of childhood. Entering university means the beginning of adulthood and, as we know, by Japanese standards this means absolute devotion to work and family.

The students stumble upon their passion in unexpected ways, and in almost two hours of footage we follow these girls as they go from teasing their classmates to devoting themselves entirely to music, ending up with a jazz orchestra that Damian Shazeru would have wanted for Wipurasshu. The film is always entertaining and fun, with a cheesy and cheeky humour. I loved this innocence and kindness that subtly surrounds the plot and the characters.

Swing Girls is simple, unassuming, and watching it makes me happy and puts a smile on my face from ear to ear.

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