The Ceremony
dir. Nagisa Ōshima · 1971
Feature
Cultural Dislocation
Mood
Contemplative / Melancholic
Look
stark, with a focus on composition and symbolism
Structure
non-linear, interwoven timelines
Plot
Oshima’s magisterial epic, centering on the ambivalent surviving heir of the Sakurada clan, uses ritual and the microcosm of the traditional family to trace the rise and fall of militaristic Japan across several decades.
Why watch
The heir of the Sakurada clan grapples with the weight of familial expectations and the remnants of a militaristic past. As he navigates the rituals that bind his family, the film unfolds like a meditation on the absurdity of legacy and the complexities of identity. Watching it feels like wandering through a dreamscape where the past and present collide, leaving you to ponder the intricate dance between personal desire and societal obligation.
Talking points
- the impact of tradition on personal identity
- the role of family in societal structures
- the absurdity of cultural rituals
- the evolution of Japanese society post-WWII
Cultural context
post-war Japanese identity crisisthe legacy of militarism in Japanfamily honor and dutysocietal expectations