Sukiyaki Western Django

Dont be at yourself

I had the pleasure to see Takashi Miike's latest film - Sukiyaki Western Django - last night.

The film is Takashi Miike's attempt at creating a Japanese-style Western - mixing six-shooters, whorehouses and cowboy hats with samurai swords, temple gates and kimono. Its title is an obvious nod to the 'spaghetti western' genre.

True to form, it is a very strange film.

And ultimately, this is where the film both fails and succeeds. The unique setting is spectacularly realised, it's a great credit to the production team that the old-west blends perfectly with old Japan. Had we been closer to Oscar season, I'd say Django would be a shoe-in for costume design.

It is this well-realised uniqueness that at times carries the film through slower moments. The plot of the film is a patchwork of well-trodden Western plots, and were it not for the Japanese twist, it would undoubtedly feel overly familiar.

And yet, being a Miike film, sometimes it gets a little too weird - for no discernible reason. There are a few scenes in the film which will leave you open-mouthed, scratching your head or wide-eyed, trying to process the events on screen. These don't really add anything to the film, save to heighten its unique flavour (which isn't particularly necessary, given the sword wielding cowboys and so on).

So, that is Sukiyaki Western Django. In terms of plot and characterisation, it's as familiar as it comes. In terms of execution, it's another one-of-a-kind from Miike.

(also on rotsyourbrain.com)

Running Bing

Where did you see it NBM? Ive been waiting for this one for ages...any idea when it's out here?

Karl Hungus

Definetly looking forward to seeing it, but I'm not holding out to see it any time soon. For some reason there's not a lot of newer Miike films being released on DVD. There's no sign of a release for Izo over this side, and although The Great Yokai War is up on play.com there's still no release date.

Dont be at yourself

I saw it in my local cinema, I'm currently living in Japan.

I'd say it has a good chanceof getting a western DVD release - it stars Quentin Tarantino, the dialogue is all in English and the theme is a lot more palatable for western audiences than some of his other works.

galactus

Interesting! I take it this is a homage to Django (1966) which was itself a homage to Yojimbo*

* As were many other movies!

Running Bing

NekkidBibleMan wrote:

I saw it in my local cinema, I'm currently living in Japan.

Ahhh that helps:)


No chance of a western cinema release then? Thought we might at least get to see it in the ifc?

Dont be at yourself

I take it this is a homage to Django (1966) which was itself a homage to Yojimbo

Yes, it's a definite homage to Django, if not the outright remake some people were expecting. The ending will leave a grin on the face of Django fans!