Zan (Killing)

ZAN (KILLING) - THIRD WINDOW FILMS

Shin'ya Tsukamoto's Zan (Killing) is a provocative, dark, and thematically contrastive Samurai tale that explores purpose, and philosophy as related to action in 19th century Edo period of Japan.

Tsukamoto'sfeature is not an anti-samurai or anti-war film by any means; it is, however, an exploration of the psychological effects experiencing war and death has on a person. It is not necessarily about PTSD per se, but a theme of understanding cause and effect. The observation and acceptance of murder — even in a legal sense, utterly engulf the feature — from its poetic beginning to the last frame of the slim but undeniably compelling eighty minutes running time.

Such themes are not only examined in the sole vein of the warrior, but also of the perpetrator of evil as well as the innocent. This motif manifests itself like a virus in the characters present in Zan (Killing). Writer-director Shin'ya Tsukamoto challenges the audience via the film’s rich thematic weight, the stoic screenplay that works wonders, with a conscious and purposely visual feature. Everything here is utilised in its optical power. Space, colours, even silence speak a thousand words with a captivating thematic authority. 

Tsukamoto himself exudes an intriguing energy with his portrayal of enigmatic Ronin Sawamura.A character with a staunch and unyielding screen presence that demands utter authority, almost always commanding immovable object of honour and rule. Yû Aoi showcases an equally effective and crucial performance as innocent bystander. Yuis emotionally and physically devastated by the actions of Sawamura and Ikematsu Sosuke, or their idleness in crisis. 

The actress shows outstanding power in an emotionally engrossing performance full of range and fire. As stated above, Tsukamoto juxtaposes the ideals of the classic Samurai tale with the loud voice of the fool and the victim. In turn, he provides very little to the quintessential Samurai character, who he himself portrays. 

These are the small, often subtle, but largely effective elements that craft something quite unique in Zan (Killing). It is not disposed to celebrate tradition and answer convention, but to explore ground that has been covered to a limited extent. Tsukamoto’s impressive feature is a slow, but inevitable climatic internal duel of the morals. The discussion revolves around doing what is right against the merits of abiding by law and order; each with their fallout and inevitable breaches of faith, they define a legacy.

ZAN (KILLING) is available to purchase from Third Window Films in an exclusive Blu-Ray Box Set TSUKAMOTO: KILLING / HAZE / ADVENTURES OF DENCHU KOZO (cert 18) from April 27th 2020 with a Slipcase Limited to 1,000 copies. AVAILABLE HERE