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Product Description
Sumida (Shometani) and his schoolmate Keiko (Nikaido) are 15 year old school kids living a dystopian existence where each of their parents hope and encourage them to die. Set in tsunami-hit areas of Japan, which are used as a backdrop, the story follows roughly that of the manga of the same name.
Don t give up. The constant refrain repeated in radio and television programmes to a nation hit by the merciless catastrophe sounds even more ominous when written in a note left by Yuichi Sumida s mother after running off with her lover. At fifteen, Sumida (Shôta Sometani) is left alone to manage the family s languishing boat-rental business and fend off his drunk and penniless father s bouts of violence. Sumida sees his simple dream for an ordinary future rapidly evapo¬rating before his eyes. Sharing similarly humble but fading dreams is his classmate Keiko Chazawa (Fumi Nikaidou), who also happens to have a major crush on him, even though Sumida seems deeply annoyed by her presence.
Sumida fights frequently with his father, is abandoned by his mother and tends to reject friendly advances of others. Real violence enters Sumida s life when his drunken father goes too far in taunting him. Shocked by the crime he has committed, and the fact he ll never be able to lead the ordinary life he planned on, Sumida paints his face and stalks the city streets with a kitchen knife, crazily determined to make amends to society by killing wrong-doers.
EXTRAS
72 Minute 'Making Of'
Deleted Scenes
Interview with actor Denden
Theatrical Trailer
Product Description
United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: Japanese ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), Japanese ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Alternative Footage, Anamorphic Widescreen, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Sumida (Shometani) and his schoolmate Keiko (Nikaido) are 15 year old school kids living a dystopian existence where each of their parents hope and encourage them to die. Set in tsunami-hit areas of Japan, which are used as a backdrop, the story follows roughly that of the manga of the same name. "Don't give up." The constant refrain repeated in radio and television programmes to a nation hit by the merciless catastrophe sounds even more ominous when written in a note left by Yuichi Sumida's mother after running off with her lover. At fifteen, Sumida (Shôta Sometani) is left alone to manage the family's languishing boat-rental business and fend off his drunk and penniless father's bouts of violence. Sumida sees his simple dream for an ordinary future rapidly evapo¬rating before his eyes. Sharing similarly humble but fading dreams is his classmate Keiko Chazawa (Fumi Nikaidou), who also happens to have a major crush on him, even though Sumida seems deeply annoyed by her presence. Sumida fights frequently with his father, is abandoned by his mother and tends to reject friendly advances of others. Real violence enters Sumida's life when his drunken father goes too far in taunting him. Shocked by the crime he has committed, and the fact he'll never be able to lead the "ordinary" life he planned on, Sumida paints his face and stalks the city streets with a kitchen knife, crazily determined to make amends to society by killing wrong-doers. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Venice Film Festival, ...Himizu (Blu-Ray)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A. Tristram
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Himizu had it's premiere at the Terracotta Film Festival, in London, back in April. I happened to be there to see the film before but decided, as there wasn't much else to do, to stay on to see this one as well - as it was the last film of the event.... best decision ever!!
The story centres around 2 young school kids trying to cope with life following a natural disaster and both have parents that, basically, don't care what happens to them. Shôta Sometani & Fumi Nikaidô did well with what, at some moments, was a tough emotional storyline (both going on to win an award at the 2011 Venice Film Festival and it's clear to see why). Yuichi (Shôta Sometani) goes through quite a journey, for someone who's only 14/15 years old, over the course of the film and you can sort of understand why he does what he does.
There are other characters that keep the story moving along - these include a group of adults living in tents / shelters near the rental shop, who try and help out, a criminal (Denden, Cold Fish [DVD]) to whom Yuichi's father owes money and of course the parents.
There are dark, violent moments, romance and, thankfuly, comic moments that make the 2+ hours go by quicker then you think - you really get caught up in what's happening in these peoples lives and how they're going to deal with whats coming next.
I can't recommend this one highly enough.
The story centres around 2 young school kids trying to cope with life following a natural disaster and both have parents that, basically, don't care what happens to them. Shôta Sometani & Fumi Nikaidô did well with what, at some moments, was a tough emotional storyline (both going on to win an award at the 2011 Venice Film Festival and it's clear to see why). Yuichi (Shôta Sometani) goes through quite a journey, for someone who's only 14/15 years old, over the course of the film and you can sort of understand why he does what he does.
There are other characters that keep the story moving along - these include a group of adults living in tents / shelters near the rental shop, who try and help out, a criminal (Denden, Cold Fish [DVD]) to whom Yuichi's father owes money and of course the parents.
There are dark, violent moments, romance and, thankfuly, comic moments that make the 2+ hours go by quicker then you think - you really get caught up in what's happening in these peoples lives and how they're going to deal with whats coming next.
I can't recommend this one highly enough.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By HGibson
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sono's somewhat twisted message of hope to Japan makes difficult viewing, but if you can stomach some genuinely distressing scenes - Himizu offers a genuinely compelling story. Both story and characters are tragic to a degree of being darkly comic, I've never seen so many people get slapped around before!
Yuichi's world is falling apart and despite his desire to be a good person, there lurks inside him a hunger of self destruction, fed by his mother's ambivalence and one fateful night with his father, Yuichi becomes a danger to society - an almost damning reflection of modern Japan, where we all too often see incidents of indiscriminate stabbings in the streets.
Keiko's own tragic circumstances cause her to feel a compulsion and desire to be wanted by those who would turn her away (to a sadistic degree with her parents) and thus she is drawn to Yuichi, who himself doesn't want complications in life. She persists in offering herself to Yuichi and may ultimately act as a catalyst to his salvation.
The Tohoku earthquake merely acts as a vehicle to reflect the breakdown in society, and in Sono's warped manner you can expect something that will leave a lasting impression.
The music, and ending scenes in particular are especially poignant - with solid acting all around.
I recommend Himizu
Yuichi's world is falling apart and despite his desire to be a good person, there lurks inside him a hunger of self destruction, fed by his mother's ambivalence and one fateful night with his father, Yuichi becomes a danger to society - an almost damning reflection of modern Japan, where we all too often see incidents of indiscriminate stabbings in the streets.
Keiko's own tragic circumstances cause her to feel a compulsion and desire to be wanted by those who would turn her away (to a sadistic degree with her parents) and thus she is drawn to Yuichi, who himself doesn't want complications in life. She persists in offering herself to Yuichi and may ultimately act as a catalyst to his salvation.
The Tohoku earthquake merely acts as a vehicle to reflect the breakdown in society, and in Sono's warped manner you can expect something that will leave a lasting impression.
The music, and ending scenes in particular are especially poignant - with solid acting all around.
I recommend Himizu
By Crab0021
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sono Sion is easily one of the most exciting, if not THE most exciting director working in Japan currently. His catalog of films have brought some of the most powerful movies I have ever experienced, and once again, Himizu delivers the goods.
The film is a journey, that is in parts melancholic, funny, disturbing, playful, repulsive and ultimately redeeming. The two young leads certainly do deserve the hype around them, their performances are outstanding. As with most Sono Sion films, viewers must be warned against some of the content of the film, a lot of it darker than the average viewer would want to subject themselves to. And yes, as in one review, there is violence against women/domestic violence, but nothing as bad as other Sono Sion films such as "Strange Circus" or the recent "Guilty of Romance".
However, for fans of Sono Sion, this is definitely worth checking out. For those who haven't seen a Sion film before, I'd recommend starting with Love Exposure and working your way up to this one- this being a much darker and disturbing film.
Anyway, I love this movie. It is very stimulating viewing and has a rewarding and powerful resolution. If this kind of movie is your thing, go for it, if not, maybe avoid it.
As far as the actual blu ray is concerned, once again Third Window provides an excellent transfer picture and sound-wise, and the extras are fascinating.
The film is a journey, that is in parts melancholic, funny, disturbing, playful, repulsive and ultimately redeeming. The two young leads certainly do deserve the hype around them, their performances are outstanding. As with most Sono Sion films, viewers must be warned against some of the content of the film, a lot of it darker than the average viewer would want to subject themselves to. And yes, as in one review, there is violence against women/domestic violence, but nothing as bad as other Sono Sion films such as "Strange Circus" or the recent "Guilty of Romance".
However, for fans of Sono Sion, this is definitely worth checking out. For those who haven't seen a Sion film before, I'd recommend starting with Love Exposure and working your way up to this one- this being a much darker and disturbing film.
Anyway, I love this movie. It is very stimulating viewing and has a rewarding and powerful resolution. If this kind of movie is your thing, go for it, if not, maybe avoid it.
As far as the actual blu ray is concerned, once again Third Window provides an excellent transfer picture and sound-wise, and the extras are fascinating.
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