Death by Hanging

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John T @numnumjp Aug 13 *Death by Hanging* (1968) is so determined to be unconventional that it forgets to be compelling. Its absurd structure, theatrical staging, and constant tonal shifts feel less like meaningful experimentation and more like a director seeking attention through deliberate weirdness. Although the film raises serious issues involving capital punishment, racism, and state authority, those ideas are buried beneath a ridiculous presentation that makes watching it feel like a chore. Being untraditional does not automatically make a film profound, and *Death by Hanging* is neither enjoyable nor engaging enough to justify its excesses. See more william d @acsdoug 05/13/2021 By turns, the movie attempts to be funny and profound. It fails on both counts. See more 02/28/2021 An interesting mix of political satire and absurd comedy, "Death by Hanging" ruminates on the themes of capital punishment, Japanese imperialism, immigration, and the self. Some interesting editing choices for sure, but overall a solid work. See more 12/19/2017 such an immensely interesting film; takes godardian standards & amplifies them to create one compact & bitter pellet. See more 01/18/2017 Provoking and bizarre. Oshima is attacking and humiliating the Japanese fascist regime. Intelligent and real broad in the sense of the society structures. Minimalistic in surroundings, but paramount in imagination. See more 04/26/2015 Oshima's searing attack on the death penalty begins in stark documentary style, showing us the prison facilities involved in "death by hanging" and the steps taken in an individual execution. This feels almost like a horror movie, especially when the hanging is unsuccessful and the prisoner lives. Then, gradually Oshima reveals that his movie is really a dark farce, as the prison officials and chaplain begin to argue about how to proceed. Should they hang the prisoner a second time or is that prohibited? They decide that this is only possible if his mental faculties return and he can again appreciate his own guilt. To make sure this happens, they act out his crimes (rape and murder of two teenage girls). The film is now even more horrifying. Gradually, Oshima begins to offer Brechtian/Godardian didactic statements in inter-titles and from a number of different characters. The focus might have been on the death penalty but soon we are further afield, with a particular emphasis on the prejudice directed toward Korean-Japanese (the prisoner is one) by the Japanese majority. Further still, we are treated to imaginary fantasies (of collective guilt) and characters who appear and disappear from view in the execution chamber. And then, unfortunately, the viewer gets quite lost. However, for much of its length this is a potent and powerful and very dark critique of an unjust and barbaric punishment that still exists even to this day (and should not). See more Read all reviews

Death by Hanging

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