Japanese director Takeshi Kitano presented his newest film, Outrage, as part of the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection Monday morning. The violent film focuses on the Yakuza, that is organized Japanese crime. Kitano said he made a conscious effort to break the boundaries of the stereotypical Yakuza genre, and to portray violence in an innovative, original way.
The film, which lacks a predominant hero, has many different characters including Kitano himself. Kitano explained why he enjoys acting in his own films: “There are, of course, better actors for the role,” he said. “But if the film became a success, all the credit would go to the main actor, not me. And I would hate that!” Kitano let out a good-humored laugh. Hey, atleast he’s honest.
Kitano’s films consistently follow themes of violence, andhe was asked why he continuously comes back to this genre. “My films are about human relationships, and there are many elements you can depict to portray that. It just so happens that I’m good a violence, and I’m better acclaimed as a director who depicts violence.”
The world of Yakuza revealed in Outrage paints a picture of a society plagued by dominance and betrayal. Kitano believes that this idea of hierarchy dates back to the ancient traditional relationship between lords and their samurai soldiers. “This strict hierarchical relation is really reflected in modern corporate culture,” Kitano said. “This probably comes from the Yakuza tradition. It still lingers on.”
The overarching theme of Outrage, according to Kitano, is lack of respect in Japanese culture. He commented that there are more news stories now than ever reporting children killing their parents, and vice versa, a clear sign that the East Asian Confucius traditions are becoming less and less respected in today’s society. “Lack of respect is our country’s most wide-spread disease,” Kitano ventured.
Kitano refuted the supposition that the Yakuza society is an old-fashioned subject, being as they still exist today. Only now, the Yakuza are infiltrated into computer businesses and the stock market, becoming more sophisticated with the times.
When asked if he still enjoys making films, Kitano chuckled and replied: “Well, half enjoyment. Half the other thing…” He went on to explain his vision for the future, stating that he will return to the non-violent genre if this film is not a success. Upon listening to viewer reviews, he may very well be making the switch.
Audience members leaving the screening were unanimously unimpressed with Outrage. One viewer described the film: “It was trash, just killing without any sense. I don’t understand why it’s in competition.” Another explained, “I liked Kitano before this film, but this was purely gratuitous violence. It’s not worth seeing, though the sound was very good.” And perhaps the most disconcerting review of all: “Nobody clapped when it ended. It was the first movie in the competition where nobody clapped.”
Kitano described himself as a swinging pendulum, proclaiming that violent drama and comedic film are equally precious to him. “If you have the energy to depict violence, you have the energy to swing just as powerfully the other way to depict love,” Kitano expressed. “The more I can depict hate, the more capable I am of depicting love.”
Kitano may indeed need to make some changes if critics share the viewers’ reactions, but I have a feeling the multi-talented director will find a way to swing his way back into audiences' good graces.
Lauren Ellison