Yuki Yukite shingun

At first, it's easy to respect Kenzo Okuzaki. He's a man who refuses to disregard the horrors of war and is sickened by what he perceives as a society all too forgetful of them. His journalism proves fruitful. But then we bear witness as he lies, enthusiastically embraces violence as a means toward an end & refers to his actions as a divine crusade. That his unflappable idealism, married irrevocably to a belief that God metes out justice in real time as it is, results in tragedy is no surprise.

As the story unfolds, it takes on a disturbing twist and speaks volumes about the horrors of war. But what really makes this film is Okuzaki, an unbelievable and compelling individual. He is utterly determined, and his confrontations are fueled by his fanatical righteousness, as well as his threats, and occasional acts, of violence. The man is a whirlwind of paradox. Amazing and unforgettable.

A very interesting and engrossing documentary. No one in the film is completely likable but it gets it's point across about the insanity of war and Okuzaki Kenzo, the main subject, provides some levity to what could otherwise be an overbearing film.

On the question of what it means to take responsibility beyond human law and the psychosocial risks of violence entailed when rage against injustice fuels resentment, questions opened up by the absence of law that occurs in the depths of the unrestrained violence of war. The filmmaker, here, allows the camera not just to record events but to do so in the knowledge that the recording instrument cannot avoid catalysing these risks, thereby placing the viewer at the heart of the ethical dilemma.

Extra-ordinary life of Okuzaki Kenzo. He is an absouletly unique person. You don't need to focus on another aspects like directing, lighting etc. He carries this doc and also our hopes until the end. I have to rewatch.

on the one hand, this is about how a state system is sustained by the stubborn persistence of everyone involved not to take responsibility. but it is also about how a particular kind of person, often themselves a victim of various abuses, will convince themselves that they have divine right and command to personally uncover these stories of corruption, inevitably using them to the ends of political self-aggrandizement. powerful stuff.

a great documentary about the memory and confrontation with the past. and I think what makes it great are not just those magical moments of confession and the "purge" which follows, but also it questions Okuzaki's violent methods. He also decieves the "criminals" by introducing his wife to be the relative of the victims. As Nietzsche puts it: "The one who fights against monsters should avoid becoming a monster in the process."

This film makes other documentaries look academic by comparison, immersing us in the action, inserting the film makers into open, unpredictable situations, showing them witnessing and participating in their unfolding. As the crazed former soldier Okuzaki confronts his old officers the layers of denial and deceit begin to peel back and we are fascinated and horrified. Listed by Errol Morris as one of his influences, for good reason.

An unforgettable film. One of the most powerful documentaries I've ever seen. complex, profound and important.

Powerful, powerful stuff.

The extremity of Okuzaki's self-righteous drive is such that it can be tempting to buy into his worldview at times. But his singular doggedness, and allegiance with other anarchists, reveals him as more of a fanatic raging against an entire societal history. It's a credit to Hara, then, that he could find this maniac, follow him around for five years, and silently egg him on with the presence of his camera. We all certainly benefit from the existence of these uniquely uncomfortable results.

Really talky even by documentary standards, so much so that it's a bit much to digest at times. You sure as heck never want to stop watching it, though. Betcha this was a big influence on Michael Moore, since it's very much in a similar style -- Okuzaki roaming around the country interviewing people in search of the truth -- but insofar as I know, Moore doesn't punch out his subjects when they refuse to talk to him or he feels he's being treated rudely

Fascinating documentary that is as much a character study about Kenzo as it is about what he's doing. Kenzo is a fascinating, often frightening presence. I was struck by how cooperative some of these witnesses were. I wonder if it's a cultural thing, because I don't think Kenzo's ultra aggressive (and sometimes violent) interview methods would have been effective in, say, America. The story Kenzo uncovers is fascinating, but I think the path to it is just as interesting.

If you thought Michael Moore was a confrontational interviewer… Certainly a unique, thought provoking film; Hara takes the “no interference” credo to its logical extreme, unafraid to portray Kenzo as a righteous and frightening avenging angel, not above sending some of his interrogatees to hospital in pursuit of a purge. Where the film falters is in presenting Kenzo “as is” – a more genuine and insightful interrogation of his own character might have made the film even more resonant.

pursues a shattered man with an unyielding hunger for vengeance, digging up unspeakable memories of a few who wish they could just forget

would the look of silence be more compelling and thorny if the 'protagonist' misled, harassed, threatened and bullied every single person he interviewed? you bet it would.

Found the protagonist to be just too unlikeable.

simplicio's review is on point. It's riveting the first time, but drops off quickly the more you rewatch it.

Gets more and more interesting as the story unfolds. Sometimes it's quite awkward though, to watch how the people interact with eachother

Wow.

I just really love verité style documentary, and the subject matter is pretty awesome: what a character!

# 454