Review of The Burmese Harp

Burmese Harp directed by Kon Ichikawa in 1956 is a drama movie with documental elements. It takes place in a Burma where Japanese soldiers , and especially Mizushima, are primary characters. It discusses the issue of patriotism, when regarding the Japanese soldiers and their surrender to the British army by the World War II. It also includes details that open up the theme of Buddhism and shows it by some aspects in a film. Basically, it is the time of summer in 1945, and tensions between Japan and British people are present. Mizushima's troop became aware that it is way better to surrender, as British will probably attack and it will be needless death for Japanese soldiers in this War. Though some troops are agreed to surrender, there is another group that is against such decision. Thus, Mizushima was sent by the commanders to the mission. Unfortunately, Mizushima was suppressed by the British militaries and forced to convince rest of the Japanese soldiers in Burma to rise the white flag or in other way, there will be massive bombarding of those soldiers. However, it was impossible for Mizushima to convince the soldiers and as a result there was a death of lots of people. Mizushima was hardly injuried and was healed by the Burmese monk. Consequently, protagonist himself turns out to be the monk and pursue the end goal of going back to Japan only after burying his fellow Japanese brothers in a proper and respective way. It is important to point out how the topic of patriotism and Buddhism is risen in a "Burmese Harp". Firstly, the fact that Japanese soldiers was ready to surrender for the sake of safety of their county worth telling that it is pure patriotism, eternal love, pride for the nation and of course self-sacrifice. BY self- sacrifice I mean how it is nothing for soldiers to drop out their pride as a human, as a soldiers , as a fighters just to keep Japanese safe. Other Japanese troop is also patriotic ones, but in another glance, for them patriotism was equal to the infinite love for the nation, so that they can even die for Japan if it serve some good future and safety. However, as for many Japanese people in general, the only proper, respective and not wasted death is death in a fight, in this case in a War with the British. They find Mizushima who came to offer them choice to surrender as a disrespect and betrayal. It could also be find in an episode where the troop discusses moment when they saw some Buddhist monk whose face resembles with their brother who was considered as dead one. As their hope for the Mizuhsima to be alive was disagreed by the commanders who propose that a single thought that MIzushima is not dead, consequently not died in a fight for the nation, is the same as to say that it was useless death and it is highly disrespectful for Mizushima's spirit. If considering elements regarding Buddhism, the viewers of the film can notice lots of episodes with the presence of the statues of Buddha, there was 2 different once in a temple of the monk who took care of the Mizushima: Buddha showing peaceful sign and Buddha in a para-nirvana. There are also numerous episodes with the temples and other statues. The moment with the Mizushima himself in a steppe where he wanders for a long time, with an injured leg and almost starved to death, when some laymen make him offerings as a food. However, what I personally find strange is how Mizushima eats the offered food. It is obvious that he was starving for days, but the episode of how he eats the food hardly show the patience and lack of desire that monk should possess. This could be argued as Mizuhsima is not a true monk to some extent and probably not achieved most of the goals that Buddhist monk should accomplish. This also could be understand as him becoming a monk not because his strong belief in Buddhist religious traditions or etc, but simply because of the respect and admiration towards the monk that saved his life, it is probably matter of the circumstances. The details and symbols also play major role in a "Burmese Harp" as they show more emotional and mental atmosphere and conditions of the characters. For example, it is interesting how weather conditions illustrate the atmosphere in a movie. It was rainy when troops were together and recalled Mizushima or discussed his death or possibility of being alive. This shows the deep sorrow and sadness that his fellow Japanese soldiers feel so that the audience also will sad and feel the damping atmosphere. Or there was a heavy and dark clouds as the rain with a thunder is coming when the moments were too sorrow, depressed and regarding the death. The Harp itself , I consider, is a symbol of peace, friendship as the music is the language of love and people do not need any words while making it when they want something to express. The theme of peace could be seen when there was a possibility that enemies are coming to the troop, when they start to sing as a choir and laugh in order to distract coming people. However, they see that it is not the enemies but Burmese and they join them in a choir. Generally, I consider that this movie is of a high quality, both from the cast side, montage, design and scenario. I felt everything that I should have been and I think that I had a great time while watching this film even though it is of 1956 production which is pretty old. Nevertheless, I reckon that the topic of Buddhism was not fully uncovered here or analyzed only superficially