Pigs And Battleships (1961)
Dir. Shōhei Imamura
Starring: Jitsuko Yoshimura, Yōko Minamida, Hiroyuki Nagato
Criterion Challenge 2023 #1 - Random Number Generator (I got 472)
Imamura captures Japan’s sordid history during the post WWII era, in one of the most powerful allegorical stories I have seen. With the new US Security agreement, its safe to say that security is not the only thing that was brought in with American battleships. The release of this film comes at a curious time as not far off across the waters, Yu Hyun-mok releases Aimless Bullet. A closer look at Korea after its armistice period and the effects heavy westernization has had on it’s society. Both films carry a heavy weight of hatred towards the invading force that has seeped into the culture that both Yu and Imamura have such fondness for. The parallels between both are astonishing to witness, as such films could not have been made if it were not for the genuineness of the immense emotions behind them.
Pigs and Battleships delves deep into the harsh cruelty that has been introduced to Japanese society due to the influx of American soldiers. Imamura does not shy away from showcasing the ugly truth that has seeped into society. Drinking, gambling, prostitution, murder, gangs, and much more are the center of attention in Imamura’s piece. Yet he does not merely put all the blame on the invading imperial force. Rather Imamura paints an equally glaring image of all the Japanese people who decided to capitalize on this wave of corruption for their own benefit. From Chinese gangsters to police officers, Imamura reveals the clear candidness of each individual and how at the end of the day, money buys all.
Yet throughout Imamura’s bleak story lies an even bleaker tale of two lovers. A low ranking Yakuza, Kinta, and his girlfriend Haruko. Their journey intertwines the dark and twisted underbelly of 60s Japanese society as the actions of Americans and Japanese Yakuza influence their decisions. The story of Haruko and Kinta is a tragic tale of what could have been, had there not been this negative influence that had seeped its way into every fiber of society at the time.
Imamura does not stop there, as his allegorical imagery is as blatant as it is profound. Pigs in this story represent Japanese society, being toyed around back and forth as if mere pawns in the grand scheme of things. They are beholden to not only western imperialism, but also Japanese corruption. During Kinta’s bought of madness, he pleads all the drivers to free the pigs. The image is strong, as the pigs are finally free from the corrupted clutches and are able to do as they please. All of this is happening in the backdrop of a bustling alleyway full of English neon signs depicting all that Imamura has shown to disdain (bars, clubs, prostitution..etc). The pigs eventual crushing of the Yakuza is an oddly optimistic outlook as to the eventual solution of Japan’s corrupt echelon.
Imamura crafted a brilliant tale full of imagery and metaphor that surpasses all that I was able to discuss. His disdain for Japan’s demise at the hands of both Western Imperialism and Japanese corruption can be felt in every shot of the movie. His framing of this strong message through the lens of bustling alleyways and rundown suburbs only enhanced the effectiveness of Pigs and Battleships. It is a great start for my journey into Imamura, one that I will definitely continue to explore more of. Watch this if you have the time, then go and watch Yu’s Aimless Bullet. They will serve as the perfect double feature.
