#monster club

eastasiancinema:

Wow, as I’m watching the opening monologue of this film, I can’t help but feel affirmation, as this monologue describes completely, down to the details, of how I’ve been feeling about modern society and the state of the majority of mankind. I find myself rewinding to listening again and again. This is all complemented by this guy (Eita, pretty interesting role for him) going through his daily routine in his cabin in the frosty woods.

“[They] reshape their behavior to suit the needs of the system”

“The best pash is to abandon this stench filled society”

What starts so profound and honorable quickly turns to show the harsh reality of not only seclusion but a man who is haunted, His true reasons for leaving society are unraveled through surreal moments of truth disguised as terror. Is what he doing the right thing? Sending “messages” in the form of mail bombs, which to be honest is reminiscent of the unibomber.., All the while followed by visions of ghosts and an ever present creature watching his every move.A deep yet very close trail of death in the family follows as he and brothers’ ghosts challenge him philosophically, each with their own way of thinking, creating a dysfunctional relationship with the dead. The movie keeps getting more and more surreal; I can’t help but feel that there are metaphors all over the place. His family ties, while mysterious and terribly depressing, seem to remain present in his life in the real world as he is taunted to join the rest of them in the afterlife. He wants to end society through his means which consist of existing outside of the system but is unwilling to end his own life. How can one possibly exist when they are the only thing left in the world. 

I don’t typically review movies as I’m watching them but this one had me feeling compelled to write my thoughts as I watched. I can see how this movie might come off as sort of silly. possibly put on par with a movie such as “The Descent” while at the same time I feel it could easily find praise on the level of something like “Strange Circus”

The movie is contained and mostly takes place inside of his cabin or in the forest close by. I particularly enjoyed the scene where we see a creature and the audio turns into a series of high pitched glitchy sounds, which are somewhat unpleasant to the ears but are effective to set the mood. The soundtrack was also really great and sometimes creates an odd juxtaposition; I enjoyed it. Another movie it kind of reminds me of is “A Tale of Two Sisters.” It’s hard for me to tell if the depth of this movie would last upon repeated viewing but for a first watch I really like it. I think I will have to rewatch it in the future so maybe I’ll get the DVD… A lot of movies are coming to mind now that it’s coming to it’s end; no need to mention them now though. 

I recommend this one to those looking for something a little different yet also familiar. The monologues are fantastic as well as the conversations between the brothers… Just watch it yourself if I’m not making sense. Like I said, I don’t usually write impressions or reviews as I’m watching. I might have to edit this a bit later. Cool movie, give it a watch. :)

Last quick note: very surreal watching Eita go from Summer Time Machine Blues to a film like this. weird.