The Audition (Japanese film): Just took the trophy from the Koreans for most disturbing film
I almost stopped watching this because it starts out super slow and boring. I'm not saying i am not sympathetic when a man is lonely and wants to find a new wife but the process takes about an hour for them to get on with it.
The reason it is called "The Audition" is because the main character of the movie Shigeharu Aoyama, is a widower who decides he would like to find a new wife. His pal who works in the low-level movie industry suggests that they hold auditions for an actual film but combine the search for a lead actress with having Shigeharu to sit in as a producer and find a new girl to date. (I am aware this is a terrible premise for a story and doesn't say much about producers.)
Shigeharu is a good person though, and doesn't take advantage of the girls who are trying out for the movie at all. As a matter of fact, before he event meets any of them he has already decided which girl he would like to try to get to know based upon nothing other than her photo and her backstory - which you have to admit is quite tragic and compelling. At no point does he abuse his position as a fake film executive and kind of leaves it up to her if she wants to see him, even after telling her that she can not have the part.
I feel as though I should stop telling about the story because if i do more then i risk spoiling it for other people. But i must warn you: This movie is extremely graphic and disturbing. It is a horror film and is quite possibly one of the most disturbing movies i have ever seen in my life.
They rely very little on jump-scares but instead allow the dread and uncertainly to the actual storyline to tear the viewer to shreds on its own. I find this sort of horror far more interesting and inventive than something simply jumping at you with the shock-music right on cue.
If you have a weakness for a film that almost certainly haunt you, I highly suggest you do not watch it. However, if you do decide to watch it I want you to realize that the first half hour is dreadfully boring. I nearly switched it off and wondered why it was ever recommended to me in the first place.
this trailer reveals very little about the movie and to be honest if you enjoy shocking horror movies you should not watch it and just go into this film "blind"
8 / 10
shock value 10 / 10
Miike is usually so OTT that his films are cartoons. I don't know what came over him, but the restraint he showed in the set-up on this film, the boring bits, is exactly what makes it one of his best.
He carefully deconstructs the expectations that Japanese society places on women, by letting us know that the protagonist is a good man, and thus representative of his society, not just a weirdo. Everything this good man expects from women is what his society expects, and more.
The title is a thing of elegant, minimalist beauty. After all, who is auditioning who, and why?
One of the greatest slow burning set-up type scenes is the one where the woman waits by the phone. It is methodical, unbalanced and intriguing, as indeed is the direction of the entire film.
It is this precision that allows Miike being Miike, which happens in the second half, to resonate so much more than he usually does. His unhinged abandon, that lurks behind his restraint, is a perfect mirror for the unreasonableness of every character in the story, disguised by a front of Japanese cultural propriety and manners.
A front that once penetrated,serves as a damning critique of a society that demands too damn much from everybody in it.
Supremely memorable, resonant and creepy film. :-o
who is auditioning who? never thought of that. Well done.
@gooddream what's the getyerlearnon tag all about?
a friend of mine bet me i couldn't popularize it. So far he is right. I will likely switch it out soon :P
Okay.. and your upvotes.. are they all from your followers?
Lol The general rule is that any time you have a good director and a one word title, that title will have multiple meanings. :)
I liked his contrasts in this film - from drama to sadistic thriller. Judging by the beginning of the film, an easy, relaxed look about the relationship between the young and very gentle girl and the grown-up man took place. But it was not there. From the middle of the movie, you can not relax for a minute. And the hallucinations of Shigaharu in general make confusion in the current reality. With difficulty you begin to understand where reality is, and where materialized fears and suspicions. I must say that the Japanese are the real masters of twisting the brains to the wrong side. Few manage to confuse the viewer so subtly. In general, many filmmakers should learn from this film, piercing with deep fear scenes performed perfectly. And the most eloquent phrase: "deeper and deeper", performed with a special cynicism, pervades the whole body with tension.
A certain sediment in the soul leaves the film, makes you think about it, remember it. Definitely, in my opinion, this is a very high quality psychological thriller.
Takashi Miike's "Audition" has to be one of the best Japanese horror movies I have ever seen.Ryo Ishibashi plays Shigeharu Aoyama,a lonely middle-aged man.After many years of being loyal to his deceased wife is the right time to begin dating again.His friend Yasuhisa decides to set up a fake casting audition in hopes that his friend can find new wife.Aoyama then goes through countless portfolio's looking for women to audition,but as soon as he sees the beautiful Asami's picture he knows that she is the one.Soon they begin dating.Everything seems perfect at first,but is Asami all that she seems?"Audition" isn't as violent and outrageous as "Fudoh" or "Ichi the Killer",but it certainly delivers some of the most harrowing scenes of violence ever captured on screen.The film is atmospheric and artistic,so if you're looking only for gore and violence avoid this one like the plague.However if you're a fan of Miike's works this masterpiece is not to be missed.
another one that I absolutely love I agree talking too much about it will spoil the film for people they just have to watch it!
Have you seen "Martyr"
i don't think i have seen it but i am putting it on my list now. Thanks pal!
wow fantastic moves i relly injoying this traler
Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom still being the most shocking movie of all time. Even if it was released 42 years ago -November 24th, 1975-. The good Pier Paolo Pasolini-sadly murdered before releasing- knew too much what would be the impact of this film for many years... Banned in Australia two times and never surpassed.
I didn't see this japanese movie -also, that last one i haven't seen it yet-. So, i cannot have impressions about how much would this movie surpass the creativity of Pasolini or Tom Six in The Human Centipede 3: Final Sequence. Even Michael Haeneke in Funny Games -Austrian Version- or Deodato, in Cannibal Holocaust would be too much movie beside this...
In other hand, Takashi Miike has made also Visitor Q in 2005. Which is a digital film with necrophile and other shocking scenes...Not surprised about this film became from that director...
i looks not boring
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Horrer movies always leave impacts on sycho people. I'm Just kidding 😎 ✌
I kinda dont watch diturbing movies much and this one sounds pretty dumb to me. The story is not just convincing me to watch it any way. The audition, the story is stupid. I mean you want a wife and hold film aufitions just to date a girl. Really? What does the producers feel? On my behalf it is a total waste. Just my opinion, though many of us would be great fans. Mind not😀.
well if you don't want to watch disturbing movies then you don't want to watch this one. I intentionally didn't include details because i don't want to spoil it.