Shortly after watching '24 Eyes', I watched a programme which showed the increase of nationalism in 21st century Japan, particularly with rising tensions in the Far East (North Korea). It was interesting to see present day teachers/educationalists demonstrating against the rise of government interference in schools and disconcerting to see one history teacher 'sacked' for giving an alternative, more balanced view regarding Japan's role/behaviour in the Second World War. If this is true, then the programme is disconcerting and '24 Eyes' deeply ironic.
I enjoyed '24 Eyes' and the relationship between the new, young modern teacher and her pupils, children from a poor village, touching. I don't think the film is just about how the war affects a community, but also about life itself, particular in the character of Matsue - who is forced to leave the village out of poverty to become a waitress on the mainland. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it seems to be inferred - from her smart kimono - that she is probably a prostitute. I thought it was clever of the script to give the children individual identities - such as Matsue, so that we can empathise with her tears and the end of her childhood.
I probably prefer the more subtle approach of 'Tokyo Story' (Ryu, who plays the father in TS, stars in this film as the older, less popular male teacher at the beginning) though they are many clever touches in this film: in the beginning the picture of the Emperor is kept in a cupboard so that one of the children answers 'He's in the cupboard' when asked about where the Emperor is. It is an allusion to how Japan's militarism will become soon much more overt. Its imperial ambitions still hidden but soon to be revealed in Manchuria.
The film is good in charting the teacher's own disillusion as nationalism and militarism dominate the school curriculum instead of simple folk songs about flowers blossoming.
My main criticism of the film is that it can be 'manipulative'. There are many scenes which are very moving (when 'Miss Pebble' slips and breaks her leg, the children's long walk to see her) but I thought, towards the end, the film kept placing one tragedy after another - which seemed to dilute some of the film's emotional power. I expect the teacher has to lose a child (immediate emotional impact) as the loss of her husband occurs off-screen. The husband's death was dealt in a rather matter-of-fact way and it's interesting that the lead actress has been criticised for her lack of expression/range of acting.
Still, I am not surprised that this film is so beloved of Japanese audiences as well as beyond as it carries a universal message - pacifism - which is even more relevant in today's uncertain world.
I enjoyed '24 Eyes' and the relationship between the new, young modern teacher and her pupils, children from a poor village, touching. I don't think the film is just about how the war affects a community, but also about life itself, particular in the character of Matsue - who is forced to leave the village out of poverty to become a waitress on the mainland. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it seems to be inferred - from her smart kimono - that she is probably a prostitute. I thought it was clever of the script to give the children individual identities - such as Matsue, so that we can empathise with her tears and the end of her childhood.
I probably prefer the more subtle approach of 'Tokyo Story' (Ryu, who plays the father in TS, stars in this film as the older, less popular male teacher at the beginning) though they are many clever touches in this film: in the beginning the picture of the Emperor is kept in a cupboard so that one of the children answers 'He's in the cupboard' when asked about where the Emperor is. It is an allusion to how Japan's militarism will become soon much more overt. Its imperial ambitions still hidden but soon to be revealed in Manchuria.
The film is good in charting the teacher's own disillusion as nationalism and militarism dominate the school curriculum instead of simple folk songs about flowers blossoming.
My main criticism of the film is that it can be 'manipulative'. There are many scenes which are very moving (when 'Miss Pebble' slips and breaks her leg, the children's long walk to see her) but I thought, towards the end, the film kept placing one tragedy after another - which seemed to dilute some of the film's emotional power. I expect the teacher has to lose a child (immediate emotional impact) as the loss of her husband occurs off-screen. The husband's death was dealt in a rather matter-of-fact way and it's interesting that the lead actress has been criticised for her lack of expression/range of acting.
Still, I am not surprised that this film is so beloved of Japanese audiences as well as beyond as it carries a universal message - pacifism - which is even more relevant in today's uncertain world.