Under the Flag of the Rising Sun

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Walter M @Harlequin68 05/19/2010 "Under the Flag of the Rising Sun" starts on August 15, 1971 as Sakie Togashi(Sachiko Hidari) makes her annual pilgrimage to the government benefits office to appeal the decision to deny military benefits because her late husband Katsuo(Tetsuro Tanba) was shot for desertion towards the end of the war. It is not the benefits that she is interested in, but more his reputation. The board is sympathetic to her plight, having written the other men of his unit but no concrete evidence emerged. However, four did not respond and she seeks them out, starting with Terajima(Noburo Mitani) who says her husband died bravely in battle. "Under the Flag of the Rising Sun" is a striking film that utilizes a variety of styles with an ordinary one for the present while black and white is mostly used for the war scenes that are color splattered with violence. Most unusual is the use of freeze frame and archival footage which lends it a documentary feel at times. All of which is put to use in a powerful exploration of memory in general and specifically how that applies to insuring that the horrors or war are never forgotten, and most importantly, not repeated. This is set in a country 26 years after its last disastrous war and is now in the midst of a booming prosperity, as the past is being quickly erased. In the end, there is hope in a burgeoning peace movement. See more 05/19/2010 One of the best unknown films! Great cinematography! And a great unheardof director Kinij Funkasaku!! See more 06/05/2009 Fukasaku’s intriguing and important exploration into WW2 follows a woman in search of men who knew her husband in the war. Upon first viewing it is an exceptional and engrossing film with the rare exception of effectively employed hand-held camerawork. Requires additional viewing. See more 05/31/2009 an expertly constructed and executed film about a Japanese WWII widow trying to clear her husband's name of desertion charges....for 26 years! but when she finally has a chance to interview several men who had served with her husband what small hope she had of finally setting things right slowly begins to be ripped from her as she delves into the realities of what a war machine can and will demand of it's enlisted men in the name of honor and patriotism. any outstanding film on the nature of war. Based on a non-fiction book. See more 03/18/2009 Drama and emotional. I like how the film tell the story. Every step in the film there is always a new feeling and aspect about the war. And the end I'm fulfiled with many thoughts about it. Rest in peace, all the soldiers in WW2. See more 10/16/2008 wow, this movie really shocked me from what have I heard about WW2.. See more Read all reviews

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun

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