J IS FOR JAPAN
Great balance of hope, humor and hopelesness in war-time Japan. Even though it start with a small-town family doctor, the story soon stretches into a multi-paneled vision of the country in history: from the Macnhurian vivisections to the bureaucracy at all levels, from sex work to embezzlement to alcoholism to monkhood. Honestly, was there anything that did not come through? Brilliant. And so funny.
Dr. Akagi (Kanzô Sensei), 1998
Director: Shôhei Imamura
