Movie Recommendation: Audition

I was recommended this movie by aNACHRONiST of the aBSiNTHE BBS. He is a big horror fan, and knowing that I am a big fan of Japan and was looking for more J-Horror, he suggested I watch Audition.

I did, and I really liked it a lot and am recommending it for those who like horror/J-horror, or revenge movies.

The style of some J-horror can sometimes seem, a bit "slow to get to the good parts" for some Western audiences, but it is in those parts that a lot of imagery, development, and symbolism are expressed. In this movie, there are a lot of these with very strong, deep, and traumatic ones which aren't always picked up on while watching.

So here are some things to just have in the back of your mind when watching this movie:

1. Look for symbolism here. Colors being worn, demeaners and mannerisms being expressed both male and female, father and son, female child to female adult.
2. This movie plays with themes of patriarchy, male gaze, women treated as objects for the pleasures of men (and roles they play in society as desired by men), sense of entitlement, and ultimately female power and revenge.
3. Symbolism around abuse. You will see scenes with incense that elude to a much darker form of abuse that is obvious what is being represented once you see it. The actual abuse itself couldn't/and shouldn't be shown on film, but how it is expressed in this movie with incense is powerful.

Trust me, although it may seem a bit slow building up, the big (and famous) payoff at the end is well worth it. Afterwards I also recommend a google on the symbolism in the movie because for me I often have to do that to get a much deeper understanding of a movie and the story it is portraying, well beyond the obvious. It is those details that I find help me see things I never noticed, or didn't understand.

And this won't make sense now but it will after you watch it:

Kiri kiri kiri, kiri kiri kiri, kiri kiri kiri!