By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.75 cats | 4.8 cats
Director: Sion Sono
Starring: Canon Nawata | Mala Morgan | Matsuri Kohira | Roku Kurokouchi | Sen Fujimaru | Tatsuhiro Yamaoka
Original language title: Escher dori no akai posuto
Country: japan
Year: 2021
Running time: 148
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13245934/reference
Michael says: It’s been a while since I’ve seen a film that just grabbed me by the lapels and shook me, taking me completely by surprise, making me cry and laugh simultaneously with the ballsy abandon of the batshit crazy, but technical marvel of Sion Sono’s RED POST ON ESCHER STREET. A famous and well respected indie filmmaker is tapped by a major studio to make their next film, hoping he will bring some respectability and festival award to their mainstream work. Director Tadashi decides to use non-actors to fill out his massive cast that includes dozens, if not hundreds of extras. The announcement of auditions in the small town sends a variety of folks, from an amateur theatrical company, and a devoted Tadashi fan club, to a grieving widow and a young woman who may or may not have murdered her husband into a bit of a tizzy. Add to this crew the meddling studio executive, and the director’s ex-girlfriend and the story moves along down unexpected paths. The whole thing clocks in at nearly two and half hours, but I wish it went on even longer.
“There is lots of humor in this film, but lots of drama as well. The underlying message of the film is a strong one, captured by the use of such a huge cast of the role of the extra in a film. The final 20 plus minutes are a feat of filmmaking that astounds, even though we’ve probably seen the like dozens of times. ESCHER STREET director Sono has a major festival fan base, and is known for his gruesome horror films, and borderline pornographic sexual examinations. I have yet to see any of his other films, and they don’t necessarily sound like they’re my cup of tea, but if RED POST ON ESCHER STREET is any indication, I just might have to try another. 5 cats”
Chris says: “Inspired and often insane satire/self-referential cinema, from the five girls dressed in white who form a ‘love club’ (read: cult) for the director of the film within this film to the self-proclaimed ‘King of All Extras’ (who could be a Japanese version of Larry David) to the exquisite look of disdain the recipient of a ‘dream-catcher necklace’ sports when she is suddenly gifted it. 4.5 cats”
Julie says: “I know that many of you may not have seen this due to the limited availability. But this movie was incredibly well done and entertaining. You must must see it! It is definitely in my list of top movies now that I have seen it. I voted for it as my favorite out of my choices for best movie while the others all had their merits for sure and were all very good as well, this one was so unique, so well done on so many levels including editing, music, story, ensemble cast, cinematography and yes a ‘powerful wacky and moving film that vibrates with energy’ -mrc
“I just loved it. 5 cats“