I think politics in shows and films, when done correctly, can be extremely engrossing.
Patlabor 2 is one of my favorite films of all time. And it’s extremely political. The entire movie is a veiled criticism of the Japanese government’s hypocrisy on peace and article 9 while benefiting from arms sales and its refusal to admit such behavior while acting as a victim. It heavily criticizes the relationship between the government and citizens in regards to the JSDF. Unjust peace versus Just War is a central theme of the film.
The director, Oshii, bashes his politics over your head during the film. But it does it in a very compelling way and it never loses interest. It’s a film centered around Japanese issues in the 1990s but it’s still compelling for a westerner to watch.
It’s refreshing to see the common man now understand that how they spend their money…can greatly influence the “politics” of large, corporate entities. Anheuser Busch is learning it too…at the cost of billions. Keep it going my fellow Americans.
It’s a hard line to walk. Too often today I’ve noticed that many political films are heavy on the politics but don’t tie it to a great movie to back it up.
It does. Patlabor 2 can be a bit preachy at times but compared to most anime it feels a lot more natural.
Oshii tends to create a character that represents him and his views. In Patlabor 2’s case it’s Tsuge, the main antagonist. Tsuge’s entire goal is to wake up the Japanese nation to the reality of their situation and he does it by orchestrating complex terrorist plots that causes the Japanese government to panic and deploy the JSDF on Japanese soil.
But Oshii also criticizes his own worldview by the dialogue of the other characters who are opposed to Tsuge. They act as a check and balance on his message and represent the opposite view. And Oshii points out that the opposing view is fully legitimate and is arguably the right view. It may be a false peace, but it is peace nonetheless.
That’s something I wish more western filmmakers would do. Include a criticism of their own viewpoints and ideologies through their characters.
I think Oshii handled the movie’s themes expertly. And it’s why I love it so much.
