Season 6
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Episode #46 – Zatôichi (座頭市)
In the final episode of season 6, we watch 2003's Zatoichi, Takeshi Kitano's reinvention of the classic blind samurai. Perry is joined by Frank Schildiner, the perfect guest for this episode because not only is he a martial artist, but also the author of an upcoming book examining the Zatoichi series of films.
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Episode #45 – Minbo: The Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion (ミンボの女)
1992's Minbo is a satire of Japanese criminals trying to strong-arm a hotel. It so angered the real yakuza that they mounted a direct assault on director Juzo Itami. Japanese cinema professor Patrick returns to the show in order to discuss the film's multiple layers and its clever subversiveness.
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Episode #44 – Jigoku (地獄)
Nobuo Nakagawa's Jigoku is considered to be a cornerstone of Japanese cinema, noted in particular for its graphic depictions of Hell. Perry is joined by Luna, another Ongaku To You host, to discuss this classic and peel back some of the layers.
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Episode #43 – Marebito (稀人)
Between directing the Japanese and American versions of The Grudge, Takeshi Shimizu took a break to direct the haunting Marebito, starring the legendary Shinya Tsukamoto. Adam of Asian Movie Pulse returns this episode to discuss the movie.
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Episode #42 – Death Note (デスノート)
What if you could kill with the stroke of a pen? That's the concept behind the internationally popular Death Note franchise. In the latest episode, Perry is joined again by Ken of the Ongaku To You podcast (and Death Note fan) to discuss the first live-action Death Note film.
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Episode #41 – Suicide Club (自殺サークル)
Sion Sono's controversial 2001 movie shocked right from its opening scene of over fifty schoolgirls jumping in front of a train. Perry and returning guest-host John Atom engage in a spirited debate about the different themes and how they think some things work and don't.
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Episode #40 – Fish Story (フィッシュストーリー)
Can a song save the world? Perry and guest-host Ashley discuss Yoshihiro Nakamura's oddball comedy movie that effortlessly weaves together different stories across different time periods.
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SPECIAL – An Interview with Takeshi Fukunaga
Takeshi Fukunaga's latest movie, AINU MOSIR, is a beautiful coming-of-age story featuring Kanto, a young boy who lives in the Ainu village of Akan and struggles with his cultural identity. I spoke with the director about his influences, inspiration, ideas of cultural identity. and more.
