Audition
For this weeks Foreign Fancy and honouring the Japanese Horror week, I am once again delving into that obscure little mind that is Takeshi Miike. This week it is by far one of his most famed works, one that was given to me on record video tape (ahhhh nostalgia) and I watched secretly in my bedroom; Audition. So here is the 1999 psychological thriller that is full of twists, shocking moments, gruesome scenes and graphic, very graphic, violence.
Based on a novel by Ryu Murakami (not that Murakami, hipsters) and a screenplay by Daisuke Tengan, Audition tells the story of Widower Shigeharu Aoyama. When he is urged by his 17 year old son to start dating again, Aoyama is at a loss. It is only when his best friend suggests the most brilliant of schemes; he pretends he is a movie producer looking for a leading actress and holds “auditions” for the fake role. Seems perfect, right? (If you answered yes, step away from the computer and go outside and meet people normally.) When he falls for shy and alluding Asami, the pair hit it off right away. But, playing much to the doubts of his friend, Asami has a dark secret and a murky past. One that Aoyama must uncover before it is too late, far too late.
(Not pictured: an effective way of finding a wife.)
When it comes to Takeshi Miike’s work in ultra violence, blood and gore then Audition is a work of art. Saturated in the red stuff, Audition goes from one uncomfortable scene to the next with only mundane “dates” to break them up. After Aoyama sleeps with Asami, his world is rocked with only gross thoughts, images and the truth about Asami. Causing outrage and many walkouts (one woman in Rotterdamn called him evil) Miike’s portrayal of torture has even made the likes of Eli Roth squirm in his seat. The content is so grisly that you those with stomachs of iron will be reaching for the bucket. Talking about vomiting, while waggling tongues (separate from the body,) chicken wires and creepy dance instructors are gruesome in their own way, one scene in particular set my whole body into convulsion (and I’m going to pass it on to you.) It involves a man contorted, with his eyes sewed shut lapping up Asami’s stomach contents. Yes, that is just one of the many scenes of revulsion.
(It is best you don't find out what is in the bag.)
So like I’ve said before, I’m really not one to condone of condemn violence as long as it is imperitive to the storyline and although Takeshi Miike is a clear provoker and aims to get as much rises out of his audience as humanely possible, I have to hand it to him that Audition really has some narrative and works as a torturous horror movie. Without throwing galleons of corn syrup over his actors and hope the audience churn, Audition is kind of a powerful storyline with some twists and turns that keep you guessing at the end. And the climax is wrought with interpretation and while I don’t want to give it away, whilst researching about it, my view point was completely blown out of the water, changing the whole film for me. That is a wonderful part of Audition, the story and ending is so strong.
Audition is going to please most and you aren’t going to be able to watch this with the family. But as much as it isa film so gory it made it difficult for Rob Zombie to watch, it also has some great writing, brilliant shots, wonderful acting and is truly memorable. It has earned itself a legion of fans fawning over the movie and will be forever passed under school tables as teenagers aim to ruin their psyche. It is terrifying and it will haunt you for years to come, but it is by far one of the most effective uses of violence in a movie; a horror film that will make you gag even 8 years after watching it.
TTFN
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