museumofdave This film is loaded with allegory, much of it evident, I suspect, only if one is intimate with Japanese culture; to Western eyes, it is obvious that Oshima is dealing with disaffected youth, as four lads in school uniform aimlessly follow various paths that seem to offer opportunity for misbehavior of all kinds, especially sexual adventure; while on the quest, references are made to education, to the era of protest, to national relationships to China and Korea--recall that this film was made two years previous to Easy Rider (and makes that film look like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm)--much of it can be confusing, but repeated viewings payback with rich rewards for those willing to look for more than entertainment

zetes A difficult experimental film from Nagisa Oshima. One needs some historical context, which is helpfully found in the one-page article in the Eclipse edition DVD. But even with that, it's one of those films that I found interesting, but ultimately a little difficult to think much of. It concerns four male college (high school?) students who, along with four female students, accompany their bawdy teacher to a bar, where they listen to him sing a dirty sex song (which sounds kind of tame translated into English). This makes the male students believe the teacher was encouraging them and the gals to screw around, and they begin to fantasize about raping and harming the women. I thought that perhaps this was a treatise on Japanese sexual oppression in the light of the sexual revolution that was occurring in America and elsewhere at the time (frequently characters are singing American folk songs, protesting the Vietnam War), but, according to the liner notes, Oshima was much more interested in the treatment of Koreans (at least three of the films in the Eclipse box set are), as the one girl in particular whom they fantasize about raping is half Korean or something. Just watching the movie, I would never have gotten that. I don't remember at all her race mentioned, but apparently that fact would not be lost on a Japanese audience. Or maybe it would. Who knows, it's not exactly like this film is considered a classic or anything. I'd say it's marginally worth watching for fans of Oshima or Japanese films in general.

crossbow0106 This movie is about four male high school students who took their university entrance exams and are just hanging around mostly. They have a connection with their teacher Mr. Otake and they go out drinking with him and 3 female classmates. Mr. Otake starts singing a bawdy Japanese folk song, a song sung throughout the film by the male characters. One night after heavy drinking, Otake pays for the girls and guys to stay at an inn since the trains have stopped running. Otake puts on the gas stove, falls drunkenly asleep and accidentally kills himself by poisoning. The girls are inconsolable, the guys nonchalant. The guys become obsessed with a fellow classmate, mostly known by her seat number 469. The film goes from there, with meeting her, meeting Otake's mistress and singing the song. This take on disenfranchised youth in Tokyo is very effective. Director Oshima Nagisa is well known for pushing the envelope (he directed the notorious "In The Realm Of The Senses")and this character study is interesting, with good young actors in the pivotal roles. The movie title notwithstanding, this is not a pornographic film, it has very little nudity and very little violence. Its just a story of attitude, indifference and, if not fear, wariness of what lies ahead. I liked the pacing in this film and generally feel you'll like it if you like Japanese drama. Not perfect, but an interesting film from a maverick director who has no problem making you think.

tedg Four Japanese high junior school boys are obsessed with sex. They encounter their teacher out drinking and he sings/teaches a bawdy song about whose permission you need to ask before sleeping with a girl. "Sleeping with" means essentially raping. The drunk teacher accidentally dies, kicking off a more abstract round of imaginary acts of the quartet, beginning with the rape of their female teacher in class while other students placidly watch. They incessantly chat about and imagine what they would do with their classmates.The leader of the gang ties up with the teacher's girlfriend and that's when some of the most impressive imagery appears, during a party-funeral peppered with bawdy songs. The casket is draped in an American flag. The funeral devolves into a battle between those songs and religious ones, mirroring a battle between Japan and the US (or alternatively Korea). I'm uncharacteristically explaining this because you probably will not ever the film.The last ten minutes is a lecture in the class by the girlfriend about the honor of the Japanese people while the students hesitantly attempt the much discussed rape of the girl in seat 468. The lead student kills the girl to prevent the rape.I came to this because I valued my experience with "All About Lily Chou Chou," and wanted to experience much the same thing in a more vintage original. It lacks the power I expected. Stick with "Lily Chou."It is much more complex but less effective than "Realm of the Senses" shot a decade later.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.