Today sees the American DVD and Blu-ray release of the samurai flick 13 Assassins. While dyed-in-the-wool Takashi Miike fans probably already have the thing on preorder, the rest of you may find yourselves wondering why you should give a hoot about the controversial Japanese director.
Miike got his start in the early 1990s directing a television series as well as releases for V-Cinema, Japan’s direct-to-video industry. While they share the smaller budgets and heavy focus on genre releases of their American counterparts, V-Cinema isn’t burdened with the same low-quality stigma we have on this side of the Pacific.
Early on in his career, Miike displayed an affinity for outsider characters, especially characters with Yakuza connections and sexually perverse leanings. By the end of the decade, there was an increased level of controversy surrounding many of his releases. This fueled international interest in the filmmaker’s output, but Miike’s appeal wasn’t limited to stomach-churning violence and perversion. Even his most lurid films exhibit a stunning aesthetic and a level of craft that is rightfully envied by many of his contemporaries.
If you’re ready to take the plunge into the bloody, disturbing and technically-impressive world of Takashi Miike, consider starting with the following flicks:
- Ichi the Killer – 2001: It’s always risky to start with a director’s best-known film, but Ichi the Killer is, without a doubt, the best way to immerse yourself in the themes, aesthetic, violence and uncomfortable sexuality of Miike’s work. Released in 2001 and based on the manga by Hideo Yamamoto, the film follows a sadomasochistic Yakuza member through some seriously twisted misadventures. While it’s not for the faint of heart, watching Ichi the Killer will give you a good idea on whether or not you’re up for the rest of his catalog.
- Shinjuku Triad Society – 1995: Next up, take some time to appreciate Miike’s earlier work with one his first film projects, Shinjuku Triad Society. You can pick up hints of the themes, characters and imagery he uses constantly in his later work. It’s another gangster movie, this time with a gay group of Chinese Triads squaring off against Japanese Yakuzas. If you dig it, you can follow up Shinjuku Triad Society with Rainy Dog (1997) and Ley Lines (1999). Although they have no storyline or character overlap, these two films are the remaining parts of Miike’s Black Triad trilogy.
- Imprint – 2005: If you’re still going strong and ready for something seriously disturbing, it’s time to track down a copy of Miike’s Imprint. Originally part of the Masters of Horror series on Showtime, the film was deemed too graphic to be aired on the pay-cable network. More of a straight horror film (albeit a violent psychosexual one) than Miike’s other work, Imprint is extremely disturbing and has never been aired on American television, though you can track down the film on individual DVD or on the Masters of Horror Blu-ray collection.
- The Happiness of the Katakuris – 2001: After all that, you’re probably ready for a break, right? Fortunately, Miike exhibits a shocking range in his work, including teen dramas, a road movie and even children’s flicks. For our purposes though, we’re going to suggest you check out The Happiness of the Katakuris. Based on a South Korean film, the movie is a farcical horror-comedy, with music numbers, wacky dream sequences and Claymation. With The Happiness of the Katakuris, you can get a sense of Miike’s sense of humor without risking your tolerance for violence.
- Full Metal Yakuza – 1997: Now that you’ve (hopefully) developed some level of appreciation for what Miike brings to the table as a director, it’s time to check out some of his early direct-to-video work. Working within V-Cinema, Miike elevated maligned genre material by honoring and working within its tropes and specific strengths. While the story isn’t great by any sense of the word, Full Metal Yakuza stands up as a gleefully over-the-top action flick, and plays like an über-violent Japanese RoboCop.
- Sukiyaki Western Django – 2007: You might have already noticed a parallel between Miike’s modus operandi and that of American genre-king Quentin Tarantino –a smart, technically marvelous approach to trash-culture. That link becomes explicit in Sukiyaki Western Django, which not only features a cameo from Tarantino himself, but also shows how Sergio Corbucci’s spaghetti western Django is an obvious influence for the director’s upcoming Django Unchained. Taking inspiration from samurai flicks, The Wars of the Roses, spaghetti westerns, contemporary action films and more, Sukiyaki Western Django plays as a synthesis of Miike’s many inspirations and passions, and is one of his most exciting, humorous and fascinating projects.
If you’ve found yourself turning into a Takashi Miike fan, first of all, welcome to the club! Also, once you’ve watched the new Blu-ray edition of 13 Assassins, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Miike’s newest film, Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is an adaptation of the legendary 1962 samurai flick, Harakiri, and, just this year, became the first 3D movie to debut at Cannes.
