Review of Gate of Flesh (1964) by Cameron S — 18 May 2013

There is a lot of- inconsistent - social commentary in this film but I liked for the fact that it takes place in a time that was not japan's best light and explores some of the realities of the era; there is some not so subtle blame cast towards the usa for the circumstances the characters find themselves in but I think there's enough ambiguity in the narrative for some of the blame to be left at the feet of human nature.

I really like the use of color in the film but I found the film a bit claustrophobic due to the lack of any real change in the setting and seeing the same narrow alleys over and over again. and while the film looks at the darker history of life in post war tokyo, and casts aspersions toward america regarding it, there is no real reflection on what responsibility japan and the characters themselves bore for their situation.