I am not very familiar with Japanese cinematography. I think the number of Japanese films I've ever watched can be counted on one hand, and I don't remember being particulary excited for any of them. However, this one is an exception. From the first seconds, you realise that the movie isn't your ordinary movie that you're used watching on a week-to-week basis (it was actually hard to believe that such a level of meta could already be present in the 1970s, but hey, it's Japan we're dealing with here - there's nothing strange about them being 30 years ahead of all of us). After the intriguing opening scene, "Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets" continues to pleasently surprise its viewer until the closing scene, which is nicely bookmarks the entire story... no, not the story - the performance.
Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets
1971 [JAPANESE]
Action / Drama / Music
Plot summary
An experimental, psychedelic odyssey through Japanese subculture experienced via the eyes of a disillusioned young man, who must contend with intense familial dysfunction, psychosexual alienation, and existentialist malaise.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
February 07, 2021 at 12:25 PM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
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Art-house done right
Books bad
This is why cinema is the superior art form. It started its journey in exactly the opposite way literature did. Literature was for the wealthy, educated people...then arrived to the masses slowly with more and more inferior books. And cinema started for the illiterate masses and relatively fast conquered the intellectuals as well. But that's what I'm trying to say, cinema was a more generous art form for humanity. It captured the human curiosity with a huge force.
Terayama should have instead just embraced and used every cinematic tool to enforce the idea that, comparatively, cinema is the more profound one because of its form factor, package and universality. He instead chose to place it at the same level with literature and condemn both, by association. It's all over the place but the title is something we always come back to, so we get the gist of it all. He places both categories of intellectuals (book and cinema) in the same boat.
Go outside sometimes and live life. Interact with your society, on all levels, understand it and make it better at the end of the day along with you, as an individual.
A Psychedelic Journey into Rebellion
"Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets" is a mind-bending and experimental film that delves into the counterculture movement of 1970s Japan. Directed by Shuji Terayama, this avant-garde masterpiece challenges traditional narrative structures and explores themes of youthful rebellion and societal oppression.
The film's strength lies in its visually striking and surreal imagery. Terayama employs a mix of dreamlike sequences, poetic symbolism, and dynamic editing to create a truly immersive experience. The vibrant colors, inventive camera angles, and evocative use of music enhance the overall atmosphere and make the film a feast for the senses.
While the narrative may appear fragmented at times, "Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets" offers thought-provoking insights into the struggles faced by the younger generation and the quest for personal freedom. The performances by the cast, particularly Hideaki Sasaki in the lead role, are compelling and add depth to the film's themes.
This film is not for everyone, as its unconventional style and abstract storytelling may alienate some viewers. However, for those willing to embrace its artistic vision, "Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets" offers a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience.
Ranking: 8/10.