A Deal With the Devil
I watched Kokuho yesterday. The film tells the story of Kikuo, a yakuza boy, and his turbulent path in life as a kabuki actor. This colorful historical epic doesn't just explore the fascination of traditional Japanese art, but also shows the dreams and hopes of those who wish to find their place in that very world. Whether it's Kikuo, his childhood friend Harue, or the son of his foster master Shunsuke: The movie is full of fates that become more and more intertwined, until the threads gradually seem to tear apart. At its core, Kokuho revolves around the question of how far one would go for success, and how lonely that path ultimately becomes. For Kikuo, there seems to be no doubt that he would sell his soul for fame. After all, the stage is the only place where a gangster's son can become a king, and a king can become a ghost.