The Funeral (Itami, 1984): Prince Charles Cinema, 6pm
This film also screens on February 9th. Details here.
Chicago Reader review:
This first film of Japanese writer-director and former actor Juzo Itami
lacks the freewheeling episodic form and comic exhilaration of his
second, Tampopo; but as a sustained social satire, it succeeds more than
either that film or his third, A Taxing Woman. Itami’s subject is a
family funeral that lasts three days and the elaborate preparations,
considerations, and rituals that accompany it–from expenses to the
videotape advising both the family and the guests what to say to one
another. The results are perhaps a mite overlong, but Itami’s vigorous
filmmaking keeps things lively, and Ozu veteran Chishu Ryu is especially
welcome in a cameo as the officiating priest. One also gets some early
indications of Itami’s handling of food and sex, which reaches full
flower in Tampopo.
Jonatahn Rosenbaum
Here (and above) is the trailer.
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