Review of the University of Laughter: The focus of Japanese films this autumn
"Asahi Shimbun" also said that it was deeply moved by Mitani's temperament.
"Nikkan Spots" commented that it truly reflects Mitani's comedy value.
As the title suggests, this is a comedy through and through. It is said that when the film was released in South Korea, the audience laughed from beginning to end. Sometimes the audience is amused even before they see the Korean subtitles. On the sixth day, I saw Chun Yi personally showing off the look of a palace actor, growing a child's bangs, and putting on a cassock to perform, which made people burst into laughter. It can be seen that laughter is universal. However, the play does not stop at the superficial level of Bojun Yixiao. The movie itself is not a purely funny movie. The laughter stops, but the result is still going to make you cry. The protagonist ends up in tragedy, and the hot ideal is lost in the times. The rolling torrent makes people sigh and makes the audience understand the joys and sorrows of life while laughing and crying. In the film, laughter is not only an expression, but also a weapon against the unreasonable system. Even when the protagonist fights against the script review system that seriously damages creative freedom, he does not use bitter methods, but only uses laughter to express meaning. Behind the profound and joyful laughter, one can deeply understand the personal insignificance and helplessness when relying on ideals to confront the entire era and society.
Hoshigo, an image-oriented director who pays attention to "performance aesthetics", has successfully directed "Rinzaburo Furuda" and "My Way of Survival". His qualifications as a cinematic director are often discussed, so his debut film is also highly anticipated. It was only after Mitani's repeated invitations that I accepted the play. With beautiful pictures and meticulous and sophisticated music, another masterpiece "The University of Laughter" has been created.
As a talented literary talent, Mitani Yuki’s scripts are extremely original. For example, during the seven-day revision process between the two of them, Xiangban asked to add words such as "for the country", so Chunichi created a geisha named "Motherland". On the third day, the name was renamed "roast meat", and on the fourth day, it was renamed "chestnut". On the fifth day, it was called "Yawn" again. Mukasaka, who had already been led by the nose, actively suggested, "Yawn is not appropriate, let's call it Yakiniku." After struggling for 5 days just for a name, Chun Yi is not an easy person. After all, it is Mitani Yuuki's work, and the little episodes in the play are all wonderful touches that add a lot of color to the movie.
The original character in the play, Kikuya, was drafted into the army during his creative heyday and later died on the battlefield. But the masterpieces he left to future generations will remain in history forever. This film does not focus on Japan's historical environment, but reflects the reality of history through the vicissitudes of a small script. Although the technique is unique, the effect is truly amazing.
The movie conveys the concept of world peace and anti-war in a way that is easier for the world to accept. Although it is a comedy, it actually has a profound meaning. It uses a very ironic story to reflect people's helplessness in pursuing pursuit under the historical conditions. In fact, laughter is innocent...