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Reviews
Shall we dansu? (1996)
Great movie, great look at Japan today
Masayuki Suo, who directed this fine film, is on a role. After the decent "Fancy Dance" and the classic (in Japan, anyway) college-sumo comedy "Shiko Funjatta", Suo has followed his own huge footsteps with a smashing success.
The story is engaging. We both laugh often (Naoto Takenaka is hilarious, as he is in Suo's two previous films) and really root for the characters. But to me the big bonus is the look this movie gives the viewer into Japanese society - real life in Japan. Suo has a knack for showing real-life activities with entertaining flair. The result is a movie that will pull you in, make you laugh, make you think, and both entertain you and give you insight into today's Japan.
Also look for the the main 8 actors from Shiko Funjatta, as they all appear again in various roles, from supporting characters (Takenaka) to short cameos (many).
Shiko funjatta. (1992)
Great Fun for the Whole Family!!!
Shiko Funjatta is a funny, smart, and endearing look at a diverse group of college kids who transform from half-hearted sumo novices (it's college sumo so weight classes keep the wrestlers "normal" sized, as opposed to professional sumo giants) into gung-ho participants who have the time of their lives. Think Bad News Bears, but for adults - though kids love it as well.
This movie, now a classic in Japan, won Best Movie as well as well as Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director. With this film (budgeted slightly under $1 million U.S.) Director and Writer Masayuki Suo established himself as the premier Japanese movie maker, breathing life into an industry that has been reduced to violence and skin flicks for far too long. After his successful follow-up with the larger budgeted Shall We Dansu? (1996), Suo is on his way to world-wide acclaim and success.