Directed by Nagisa Oshima | Japan, France, United Kingdom | 110 mins
Japanese language film with English Subtitles.
Gohatto (Taboo) is the dreamlike final film of director Nagisa Oshima (In The Realm Of The Senses, Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence). When a new Samurai recruit joins the ranks of the all-male warrior class, his beauty and skill capture the attention of nearly all his comrades. Aloof and ambiguous in his sexuality, the anarchy his presence unleashes not only attracts his brethren, but also threatens to violently upend the stability of their entire society.
Visually dynamic and oddly humorous, this Mizogushi-esque tale of the limits of personal emotional autonomy within a hermetically sealed, militaristic world features a score by Ryuichi Sakamoto and highly realistic kendo-style fight scenes. With performances from the likes of Takeshi Kitano (Battle Royale) and Tadanobu Asano (Shogun), Taboo is the last masterwork of one of the great iconoclasts of Japanese cinema.
Written by Scott Lang.
Rated 14A.
Part of our Lovers Out East: Queer Asian Cinema Series.
Community Partner:
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.