Review of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) by Atlas O — 02 Jun 2009

Yukio Mishima, a famous Japanese author and poet obsessed with living in complete synchronicity with his writings and traditionalist philosophies. Told in four parts connecting his early life (in black and white), 3 of his novels (in enhanced color using stylized theatrical sets), and his last stand (in normal color).

Everything in his life and work is done in concern to his own libido. As a young boy he exploits his disability, a crippling stutter, to attract sympathy from the opposite sex. As young man he develops a desire for physical perfection and its destruction, through fetishized masochism. The former of which he uses to gain adoration from men, taken on in a more politically philosophical form in his own private army "to fight for the emperor", adorned in fetishistic Franco fascist attire. His army is more of a fantasy fulfillment, I believe, than a political cause. He relishes the thought of a group of young men who would die on his command. In the end, reality and art merge inextricably.