If you wish to delve deep into the history and culture of feudal-era Japan, be sure to have Harakiri, the film that changed samurai cinema forever at the top of your watchlist!
Introduction
Film: Harakiri
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Genre: Drama/Samurai Cinema
Duration: 2h 13m
Screenplay: Yasuhiko Takiguchi (Novel), Shinobu Hashimoto
Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Shima Iwashita, Akira Ishihama
Language: Japanese
Plot Synopsis - No Spoilers!
After the downfall of the Fukushima Clan in 17th century Japan, an elder ronin (masterless samurai) visits Kageyu, a feudal lord of the newly established Iyi Clan in an attempt to acquire his courtyard for Harakiri (or Seppuku: a traditional self-disembowelment ceremony). However, things take a drastic turn when Kageyu enquires about another young ronin who previously visited.
Film Review
A samurai film often brings with it some specific kind of expectations. Surely, you want to witness the origin story of a great warrior as he courageously fights unimaginable extremities of pain and suffering. You want to be inspired and moved by the end of his quest and take with you a sense of glory for even being able to witness such an epic tale.
Harakiri doesn't offer any of that. It even feels wrong to call it a samurai film just for the technical aspect of it. Harakiri is an anti-samurai film and a great one at that!
In order to truly appreciate the beauty of this film, one must understand the time period in which it is set. The film takes place between 1619 - 1630 during the Edo Period, under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Though the ties between fiction and reality are somewhat tangled, one thing is known for sure - Wars came at a standstill as new clans came to power, resulting in a high number of unemployed ronins on the verge of poverty. This single detail helps in establishing the setting and turn of events of the entire film and makes it feel genuine, despite its unfamiliar history.
It is crucial to note that what separates this genre-bending classic from other samurai films is its brave attempt to showcase the ravages of war through a perspective never quite touched upon before. From the perspective of someone burdened with the expectations of bringing home glory while facing death on the battlefield. The painful absurdity behind such social and moral aspirations is what fuels the narrative and the characters on screen alike.
The film follows a non-linear timeline through flashbacks while the plot is carried forward through the conversations between the feudal lord and the protagonist. Harakiri attempts to ask various important questions about the samurai culture through its off-beat plot that embraces the heart of this film.
The tone and pace of the film match the narration of the protagonist almost rhythmically, giving him a sense of control over the entire piece and thereby increasing the overall engagement of the viewing experience.
My favorite aspects of this film include the way in which the plot unfolds before the audience by keeping them hooked till the very last second and memorable performances by the leading cast. Harakiri also embraces the trademark plot device used often in Japanese cinema - giving mystical warnings in the form of subtle foreshadowing.
How the film manages to be engaging while raising painful questions about the samurai code of honor and the rationality behind such highbrow moral claims is another commendable feat successfully achieved through, at times, laughing in the face of absurdity.
The cinematography of Harakiri is simple yet impressive, to say the least. Most of the framing techniques used in the shots offer a sense of stability and symmetry to the overall composition. The skillful use of lighting in some indoor scenes enriches the restrictive black and white color palette of the film while successfully paying attention to the characters in frame.
Between the identical opening and last shots of the film, Harakiri delivers the tale of Hanshiro Tsugumo (the protagonist) and successfully takes us through his journey of facing a morally corrupt and hypocritical system.
The Bottom Line
I had extremely high expectations going into this film, owing to my personal bias towards Akira Kurosawa Samurai flicks. Needless to say, Harakiri changed my perception of samurai cinema in an enriching way. If you want to challenge yourself while getting sucked into the brilliance of Masaki Kobayashi, make sure to give Harakiri a fair try!
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Available on: The Criterion Channel
Written By: Janshi
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