Perhaps the announcement that we are facing a film rated for over 100 years is not true, but what is clear is that the new film by Hitoshi Matsumoto «R100»It is not, far from it for all audiences.
Facing a film by this Japanese filmmaker is a challenge and you have to read between the lines.
Perhaps those who do not know this filmmaker, and comedian, believe that "R100" is a kiding you more than outrageous but the reality is that the film is a harsh criticism to the way of life in your country.
Using the absurd, he shows us how masochistic Japanese society is. And that the way out of this attitude is to convert masochism into sadism.
«R100» tells us the story of a man who, fed up with leading an anodyne life, decides to join a club sadomasochistic very peculiar called Bondage. The point is that at any moment a woman can appear to give him a good spanking, something that seems to be what makes him happiest. This club has a rule, and that is that the fee is for one year and under no circumstances can you cancel the contract at this time.
The film starts off as intriguing during the first half and ends up entering surrealism exacerbated as we approach its end, something that can irritate the viewer who does not know what he is facing.
The film has a peculiar point of view since Hitoshi Matsumoto blames one of his characters, since what we are seeing is nothing more than a preview of a movie that a filmmaker has made for his 100 years. And we know that because during the film we can see part of the team from said film talking to producers who are outraged by what they are seeing.
Hitoshi Matsumoto is aware of the sensations that his new film provokes and makes it evident in the film itself with these sequences that only demonstrate that the Japanese do not care what they may think of his work, but that his only intention is to show his vision of the society in which he lives.
Rating: 7 / 10
More information - Preview Sitges 2014: “R100? by Hitoshi Matsumoto