University of Laughs

It is amazing and rare when a film manages to reach us and surprise us by succeeding our expectations. In my personal experience, THE UNIVERSITY OF LAUGHS is one of such films. What I loved the most about this particular film is how complex issues which throughout history have affected cultural expression can be represented and illustrated in such a fine and simple fashion.

Sakisaka, a government official entrusted with creating favorable conditions for the maximum expansion of the ruling ideology, through the censorship and manipulation of messages in popular culture meets his counterpart in a humble theater script writer seeking approval for his latest project. The movie evolves and progresses as both, censor and writer work together, with and against each other to achieve their individual interests.

My favorite moment is that in which Hajime Tsubaki becomes aware that his interest and passion for comedy writing, transcends the personal and collective interests of his boss, his colleagues and even his nation. He can live with the criticism and punishment offered to him by friends, peers and society at large but he cannot live without being true to himself, therefore, he is left with no option but to follow his comic nature through his gift of writing. This is the most purely political phase in the film, and it marks the decisive passage of struggle from the individual structure, to the sphere of the complex superstructures.

In all, this is a beautiful and clever display of Japanese culture and worldwide struggle for freedom of speech, and a subtle reminder of how far we have come to reach the stage of cultural freedom that many of us enjoy today.

In Showa era, before the World War 2, a prosecutor named Sakisaka and a dramatist named Tsubaki meets in an investigation room of the metropolitan police department. At first Sakisaka tries to prevent Tsubaki's theatrical company "University of Laughs," but as they rewrite the script, Sakisaka comes to enjoy the rewriting with Tsubaki…

This movie is almost composed of the conversations of the two and the situation hardly changes from the investigation room. Thus, some people may think this movie do not have passionate scene and the images are boring. On the other hand, the two actors play the contrastive characterized men. I think it great that their conversations which draws the attentions of the audience. Tsubaki has a ready wit and promptly thinks of the lines which are full of humor. The humor which Tsubaki think every time made me laugh.

I was also impressed with the set of the structure. Actually they are buildings now exist, they looks like the real Tokyo in the beginning of Showa era.

On 1940, Japan is in war. The all play is banned by government. When dramatic company wants to do play, their script have to be inspected by the police. In this age, there are two men. One is Kosaka, he have never laughed since he was born. Another one is Tsubaki, he is a playwright writing for "Dramatic Company of Laughs". They meet in the investigation room. Kosaka demands to Tsucaki to rewrite script exceot laughs. The main characters are only two. Kosaka and Tsucaki. Main set is the investigation room. They persuade each other for 7 days. Original story was made by Koki Mitani. He is playwrightm scriptwriter, film director and stage director. Originally, this story is a stage play. That's why, even only investigation room, the story can be very funny. Especially, Kosaka, Koji Yakusho is acted, his action is very good. How he is changed by Tsubaki is great. This movie break old movie's stereotype.

Sakisaka, working as an inspector of comedy script, hardly laughs. One day, he meets a scriptwriter named Tsubaki Hajime. Tsubaki comes to him to get the script checked, then it can be on at his theater. However, Sakisaka doesn't say "ok", he asks him to rewrite and bring it the next day. Tsumaki follows his advice and the two come to make the script more interesting together. But it doesn't last so long. One day, Tsubaki brings a sad news with a great comedy script and then,,,

I laughed a lot seeing this movie. Koji Yakusho, acted Sakisaka, is one of the greatest actors in Japan. I'm a big fan of him. Sakisaka is a serious person. He doesn't laugh and dislike comedy, but gradually changes. Yakusho expressed the small change faithfully in the film. And I'm also a fan of Koji Mitani. His movies are always funny and interesting.

This movie must make you laugh and give you bravery to keep going what you like to do.

The story is set in the age when the comedy in public was restricted by the government. An inspector and a comedy writer make a comedy within the legally permissible level together. The funny words and rhythmical music still linger in my head because two of them repeat practices again and again while working out a detailed plan. This film was scripted by Koki Mitani who is the famous scriptwriter and director in Japan. Most of his works are comedies and make me laugh every time. As the title says, this film also makes me laugh. I like Koji Yakusho who plays the part of the inspector in this film and he appears on most of works by Koki Mitani. In this film, "Mitani World" is developed like other his works. I recommend everyone to watch the film because the film not only is funny but also describes the times.